About Bodos
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The Bodos (pronounced BO-ros) are an ethnic and linguistic community, early settlers of Assam in the North-East part of India. According to the 1991 census, there were 1.2 million Bodos in Assam which makes for 5.3% of
the total population in the state. The Bodos are recognized as a plains
tribe in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Udalgu
ri and
Kokrajhar are considered the center of the Bodo area. The Bodos represent one of the largest of the 18 ethnic sub-groups within the Kachari group, first classified in the 19th century. Bodos have settled in most areas of North-East India, and parts of Nepal.The BODO People constitute a diverse range of the Indigenous people of North-east india .The
overarching term "BODO" is a collective designation to include the peoples of the region who share some degree of cultural and linguistic heritage; however, the term embraces many distinct populations, societies, and ethnic
groups like Dimasa kachari, sonowal kachari , Mech kachari , Rabha kachari , Thengal kachari etc who each have their own particular traditions, language, cultures, and historical identity.The BODO word is nothing but merely a male Clan of Royal Dimasa Kachri Race. The first Raja of Dimasa Kachari kingdom was
belongs to BODO Clan.so Bodo never be a tribe. There is no history in the world that A clan of a tribe can become a community. If it is so then is a distortion of the History Among the 18 groups mentioned by Endle, the Mech in Western Assam, the Bodo in central Assam, the Sonowal and Thengal in
the eastern part of the Brahmaputra river are closely related. Koch, Sarania), or have developed separate identities (e.g. Garo). The Bodos represent one of the largest ethnic and linguistic groups of the northeast India. Typical Bodo last names (surname) are , Brahma, Boro, Basumatary, Dwimary, Swargiary, Goyary, Khakhlary, Mushahary, Narzary, Iswary,chamframary, hajowary. The 1971 census report indicated Bodos being the 8th largest scheduled-tribe (ST) group in India. They were 1.3 million in 2001 national census. The Bodo language is a member of the Tibeto-Burmese family. The Roman script and Assamese script were used in the past. Recently, Bodos adopted the Devanagari script. According to some scholars, the Bodo language had a script of its
own called Deodhai.. Dresses and Foods
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Very early on, Bodos may have introduced rice cultivation, tea plantation, pig and poultry farming, and silkworm rearing in the North East India. The traditional favourite drink of the Bodos is Zu Mai (Zu: wine; Mai: rice). Rice is a staple of the Bodos and is often accompanied by a non vegetarian dish such as fish or pork. Traditionally Bodos are non-vegetarians. Weaving is another
integral part of Bodo culture. Many families rear their own silkworms, the cocoons of which are then spun into silk. Bodo girls learn to weave from a young age, and no Bodo courtyard is complete without a loom. Most women
weave their own Dokhnas (the traditional dress of the Bodo women) and shawls. The Bodos are also expert craftsmen in bamboo products.. Festival and Religion
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In the past, Bodos worshipped their forefathers and followed animistic traditions. In recent years, Bodos practice Bathouism, Hinduism and Christianity. Among Christian groups some belong to the Bodo Evangelical Lutheran Church . Bathouism is a form worshipping forefathers called
Obonglaoree. The sijwu plant (belonging to the Euphorbia genus), is taken as the symbol of Bathou and worshiped. In the Bodo Language Ba means five and thou means deep. Five is a significant number in the Bathou religion. A clean surface near home or courtyard is considered as an ideal place for worship. Usually, a pair of arecanut called 'goi' and betel leaf called 'pathwi' could be used as offering. On some occasion, worship offering could
include rice, milk, and sugar. For the Kherai Puja, the most important festival of the Bodos, the altar is placed in the rice field. Other important festivals of the Bodos include Hapsa Hatarnai, Awnkham Gwrlwi Janai, Bwisagu and Domashi. Short History of Bodos
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The Bodos led a gory struggle in the name of self-determination in late 80's under the leadership of Upendra Nath Brahma, who is now regarded as the Father of the Bodos (Bodo-Fa). After a decade of long agitation, the Bodos have been granted the Bodoland Territorial Council(BTC), an autonomous administrative body that will have within its jurisdiction the present district of Kokrajhar, Darrang and adjoining areas, and some parts of Kamrup and Nalbari. The movement for autonomy
