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Assam which is considered as the gateway to the North East boasts of natural splendors at its best. Most of its areas are still unexplored where there is an abundance of natural resources. The society is basically multi- ethnic and Assamese is the mother tongue of the local populace. The state is known the world over for its endless tea estates that dot the landscape and the endangered one horned rhinoceros of Kagiranga National Park, a world heritage site. There are also oil reserves here and the first oil well was discovered way back in the 1800’s at Digboi, an oil township of upper Assam. If you want to explore something different in India then this beautiful state should be included in your tour itinerary.

Located just below the eastern Himalayan foothills, the state of Assam shares its borders with Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh in the north-east, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram in the south, Meghalaya in the south-west, West Bengal and Bangladesh in the west. The total area of the state is 78,438 sq.kms and the population stands at 26,638,407.

The magnificent river Brahmaputra which originates in Tibet flows through the state. One can witness different types of flora and fauna some of which are very rare and exclusive to the region. Assam in fact has a wide variety of wildlife and can be considered as next to Africa. Culturally too the state is very rich. Tourists come from far off places to indulge in its fairs and festivals, art, culture and cuisine. In fact Assam has got something for everybody, you just name it!

Origin

The ancient name of Assam was Kamarupa. According to popular legend the God of love Kama regained his original form (Rupa) here after being burned to ashes by Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva’s compassion brought back Kama to life at this very place hence the name ‘Kamarupa’.

The history of Assam can be found in various ancient literatures. References are there in Tantric, Buddhist and Vedic literatures and Assamese folklore. Even the epics as well as various religious legends mention this state. Mahiranga Danava is said to be one of the earliest rulers of Assam. Some other notable rulers after him were Harakasur, Sambasur, Ratnasur, Ghatakasur and Narakasur. It is said that Lord Krishna slayed Narakasur when he became tyrannical. After Narakasur Bhagadatta became his successor.

Thereafter the Barman Dynasty ruled Assam from 350 AD to 12th century followed by several other dynasties like Kachari, Chutia etc. The famous Chinese traveler Hueng Tsang visited Assam during the rule of the most successful Barman king, Bhaskarbarman, between 600 AD and 650 AD.

In 1228 AD Assam came under the Ahoms. They ruled till 1826 AD when the British took over. Assam was also ruled by another famous dynasty during that period which was known as the Koch dynasty. They came here much later in 1510 AD.

The Burmese invasion of Assam in 1821 led to the outbreak of the first Anglo-Burmese War which culminated with the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826). The East India Company took over the reigns of power.

The British divided Assam along with Bengal during 1905-12 to create separate provinces. When India became independent in 1947, the state of Assam was much larger than what it is today as the state of Arunachal Pradesh was also a part of Assam. The state was further divided to create four more North-Eastern states during the 1960s and 70s. 

People and Culture

Different ethic tribes co-exist in Assam. A good number of these ethnic groups belong to the tribal communities that comprise 12.82% of the total population of the state. The tribal population presently living in the state can be widely divided as – Hill tribes and Plain tribes.

Hill Tribes- Chakma, Dimasa, Garo, Hajong, Hmar, Karbi, Khasi, Kuki, Lakher, Mizo, Maan, Naga, Pawi, Syntheng etc.

Plain Tribes- Bodo, Barman, Deori, Hojai, Mech, Mising, Rabha, Sonowal, Tiwa etc. (According to the list of schedule of tribes in the Indian constitution, there are 23 tribes.)

Fact-file of some plains tribes of Assam:

Bodos- This tribe is prominent in the districts of Kokrajhar, Goalpara, Nalbari, and Kamrup, a portion of Darrang district, Cachar and North-Cachar hills. To expand their language and culture they have their Bodo Sahitya Sabha. Their main occupation is cultivation and their main festival is Bathow Puja.
Deoris- They belong to the Chutiya clan. The Deoris are mainly concentrated in Lakhimpur and Sivasagar districts. They are bilingual and speak both Assamese and Deori language and their main traditional festival is Bihu.
Dimasas- This tribe is a part of the greater Bodo tribe. The word ‘Dimasa’ means the son of the river ‘Dima’. Dimasas reside in North-Cachar hills, Nagaland, Plains of Karbi Anglong, Nagaon and Silchar sub-divisions. Their main occupation is agriculture and buffalo rearing and their traditional festivals are Rachani Gabra, Harni Gabra and Busu.
Karbis- Also known as ‘Mikirs’, Karbis are one of the foremost among the hill tribes of Assam. Apart from Karbi Anglong, they are also found in Golaghat, Nagaon, Kamrup, Khasi hill and North-Cachar hill districts. Chamangkan is their main festival.
Misings- Misings reside mainly in North Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Sivasagar, Jorhat and Darrang districts. Their women are master weavers. Misings celebrate Magh Bihu, Bohag Bihu and Narsingha Bihu.
Rabhas- Rabhas are one of the major ethnic group of Assam that has preserved their identity quite well as a particular tribal community of the state. Cultivation is their main occupation and their womenfolk are very good weavers.
Tiwas- Also known as ‘Lalungs’, Tiwas are mainly found in Morigaon district, Karbi Anglong, Meghalaya, South-east Kamrup and Lakhimpur district. Their chief social festival is Bihu.

Dance

Fairs and Festivals

Various ethnic tribes who came to live in Assam from far off places eventually made this state their homeland. These tribes practice different cultures and as such follow different religions. Festivals in Assam can be divided into 3 broad categories- (a) Agricultural festivals, (b) Religious festivals and (c) Social festivals.

Agricultural Festivals-
Under this category the most prominent is ‘Bihu’ which is celebrated either as a pre-harvesting or post-harvesting festival. The Bihu festival of Assam is an ancient cultural heritage of the Assamese people. There are three types of Bihu- Bohag, Kati and Magh Bihu.

The Bohag or Rongali Bihu is one of the greatest festivals of the state and is celebrated with the onset of spring. It is celebrated with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm and is generally celebrated for two days but festivities continue for seven days thereafter. The first day is called Goru Bihu when people bathe their cows and oxes, tie them with new ropes and feed them vegetables and Pithas (traditional Assamese sweetmeats). The second day is called Manuh Bihu and this is the first day of the month of Bohag. Gamochas (Traditional Napkins) are exchanged. Youngsters perform Bihu songs and dances with the accompaniment of musical instruments like Dhol (drum), Taal (cymbals) and Pepa (pipes) Bihu troupes known as Husori move from house to house performing dances and songs. Nowadays these performances are also done on modern stages.

Most of the tribes in Assam celebrate Bohag Bihu in their own traditional way. Bodo Kacharis observe it as Baisagu, Tiwas as Bisu, Deories as Bahagiyo Bihu, Rabhas as Johang Pula and the like. The list is endless.
The Kati or Kongali (poor) Bihu is so called because it is celebrated during the lean month of Kati when almost every article becomes scarce. On this Bihu, people light earthen lamps (saki) near Tulsi (black basil) plants and in their fields and pray for a good harvest.

The Magh or Bhogali (feasting) Bihu is celebrated with community feasts in neighborhoods. People stay awake the entire night amidst merriment. Bonfires (Bhelaghars) made of bamboo and straw are lighted early next morning. Offerings are made to Agni, the God of fire. Traditional delicacies like Chira, different types of Pithas (sweetmeats), Akhoi, Doi (curd) are prepared during this Bihu. Traditional games like buffalo fights, cockfights and wrestling are organized.
Religious Festivals