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{{short description|Indigenous tribe of Assam, northeast India}}{{Infobox ethnic group
{{short description|Indigenous tribe of Assam, northeast India}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
⚫
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Thengal kachari people
| group = Thengal kachari people
| native_name =
| native_name =
| image = A thengal kachari girl.jpg
| image = A thengal kachari girl.jpg
| caption = A Thengal kachari girl in Muga dress.
| caption = A Thengal Kachari girl in Muga dress
| population =
| population =
| popplace = Upper Assam
| popplace = Upper Assam
| languages = [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| languages = [[Assamese language|Assamese]]
| religions = [[Hinduism]] (variation [[Ekasarana Dharma]]) and some are [[Animism|Animistic]] ritual<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bora|first=Jyotika|title=The Thengal kacharis of Assam: A sociological study|year=2007}}</ref>
| religions = Ekasarana Dharma
| related = Other [[Bodo–Kachari people]]
| related = Other [[Bodo–Kachari people]]
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
⚫
The '''Thengal Kachari people''' are an indigenous ethnic group of [[Assam]], India.<ref>{{harv|Muthukumaraswamy|2006|p=79}}</ref> They are a part of greater [[Bodo–Kachari people|Bodo-Kachari]] family. They are mainly concentrated in the [[Jorhat district|Jorhat]], [[Golaghat district|Golaghat]], [[North Lakhimpur]], [[Nagaon district|Nagaon]] and [[Karbi Anglong district|Karbi Anglong]] districts.Their traditional festival is "Tora Chira" bihu. They commonly known as "Kachari" people.
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
⚫
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
⚫
The '''Thengal Kachari people''' are an indigenous ethnic group of [[Assam]], India.<ref>{{harv|Muthukumaraswamy|2006|p=79}}</ref> They are a part of greater [[Bodo–Kachari people|Bodo-Kachari]] family.They are manily concentrated in the [[Jorhat district|Jorhat]], [[Golaghat district|Golaghat]], [[North Lakhimpur]], [[Nagaon district|Nagaon]] and [[Karbi Anglong district|Karbi Anglong]] districts.Their traditional festival is "Tora Chira" bihu.They commonly known as "Kachari" people.


== Etymology ==
== Etymology ==
There are different theories regarding the origin of the term Thengal. As per the census of India, 1891, the Thengal kacharis derive their name from an ancestor who is said to have ascended to heaven leg foremost.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r3WANQEACAAJ|title=Census of India 1891: Assam. Report|date=1892|language=en}}</ref> But according to Jogeswar Borah, earlier the Thengals used to wear ''a pantaloon called "Thenga"'' from which the name has been derived.<ref name=":1">{{harv|Dutta|2010}}</ref>
There are different theories regarding the origin of the term "Thengal". As per the census of India, 1891, the Thengal kacharis derive their name from an ancestor who is said to have ascended to heaven leg foremost.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r3WANQEACAAJ|title=Census of India 1891: Assam. Report|date=1892|language=en}}</ref> But according to Thengalratna Dr. Jogeswar Borah, earlier the Thengals used to wear ''a pantaloon called "Thenga"'' from which the name has been derived.<ref name=":1">{{harv|Dutta|2010}}</ref>


They are also called as 'Rupowal' from their traditional occupation as silver washers. However, some people in recent time don't prefer this term.<ref name=":1" />
They are also called as 'Rupowal' from their traditional occupation as silver washers in the Ahom rule. However, some people in recent time don't prefer this term.<ref name=":1" />


== History ==
== History ==
Historical accounts on Thengals are very scarce. According to Hiteswar Borbaruah, some [[Sonowal Khel|Sonowals]] used to procure silver in the [[Dhansiri River|Dhansiri]] river and were called Thengals or [[Rupowal Khel|Rupowal]]. But earlier they were known by the name "'''Rupiya thakur'''".<ref>{{harv|Borboruah|1997}}</ref>
Historical accounts on Thengals are very scarce. According to Hiteswar Borbaruah, some Kacharis used to procure silver in the [[Dhansiri River|Dhansiri]] river and were called Thengals or [[Rupowal Khel|Rupowal]]. But earlier they were known by the name "'''Rupiya thakur'''".<ref>{{harv|Borboruah|1997}}</ref>


== Culture ==
== Culture ==
Thengal kachari is a functional group that were '''silver washers''' by profession during the Ahom rule''.'' They practice ''endogamy'' and reported to be inhabiting the eastern portion of the Brahmaputra valley. They are ''advanced Hindus'' than the [[Sonowal Kacharis]], but indulge in forbidden food and drink. They do not worship or sacrifice to idols. Various animistic practices are still prevalent. And they ''engage a brahmin in marriage'', but with the advent of Ekasarna Vaishnavism this practice has declined.
Thengal kachari is a functional group that were '''silver washers''' by profession during the Ahom rule''.'' They practice ''endogamy'' and reported to be inhabiting the eastern portion of the Brahmaputra valley. They are essentially devotees of Lord Shiva. They also worship or sacrifice to the elements of nature more than idols. Various animistic practices are still prevalent.They ''engage a brahmin in marriage'', but with the advent of "Ekasarna Vaishnavism", this practice has declined by a part of them.


=== Clans ===
=== Clans ===
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=== Festivals ===
=== Festivals ===
* Torachira Bihu (তৰাছিৰা বিহু)
* Tora Chira Bihu
* Suwa utuwa utsav
* Suwa utuwa utsav
* Panitula Sabah
* Panitula Sabah
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*{{Cite journal|last=Dutta|first=Kailash|date=2010-12-31|title=Ethnicity and folklore a study among the Thengal Kacharis of Assam|url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/10603/68237|journal=University|language=English}}
*{{Cite journal|last=Dutta|first=Kailash|date=2010-12-31|title=Ethnicity and folklore a study among the Thengal Kacharis of Assam|url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in:8080/jspui/handle/10603/68237|journal=University|language=English}}
*{{Cite book|last=Borboruah|first=Hiteswar|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.451863|title=Ahomar Din Ed. 2nd|date=1997}}
*{{Cite book|last=Borboruah|first=Hiteswar|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.451863|title=Ahomar Din Ed. 2nd|date=1997}}
*{{Cite book|last=Borah|first=Dr. Jugeswar|title=Chinor Pora Doyangoloi: Thengal Kachari Hokolor Utpatti aru Teulukor Artha-Hamajik Abastha Ed. 1st|date=2023}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


Latest revision as of 19:15, 17 November 2024

Thengal kachari people
A Thengal Kachari girl in Muga dress
Regions with significant populations
Upper Assam
Languages
Assamese
Religion
Hinduism (variation Ekasarana Dharma) and some are Animistic ritual[1]
Related ethnic groups
Other Bodo–Kachari people

The Thengal Kachari people are an indigenous ethnic group of Assam, India.[2] They are a part of greater Bodo-Kachari family. They are mainly concentrated in the Jorhat, Golaghat, North Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Karbi Anglong districts.Their traditional festival is "Tora Chira" bihu. They commonly known as "Kachari" people.

Etymology

[edit]

There are different theories regarding the origin of the term "Thengal". As per the census of India, 1891, the Thengal kacharis derive their name from an ancestor who is said to have ascended to heaven leg foremost.[3] But according to Thengalratna Dr. Jogeswar Borah, earlier the Thengals used to wear a pantaloon called "Thenga" from which the name has been derived.[4]

They are also called as 'Rupowal' from their traditional occupation as silver washers in the Ahom rule. However, some people in recent time don't prefer this term.[4]

History

[edit]

Historical accounts on Thengals are very scarce. According to Hiteswar Borbaruah, some Kacharis used to procure silver in the Dhansiri river and were called Thengals or Rupowal. But earlier they were known by the name "Rupiya thakur".[5]

Culture

[edit]

Thengal kachari is a functional group that were silver washers by profession during the Ahom rule. They practice endogamy and reported to be inhabiting the eastern portion of the Brahmaputra valley. They are essentially devotees of Lord Shiva. They also worship or sacrifice to the elements of nature more than idols. Various animistic practices are still prevalent.They engage a brahmin in marriage, but with the advent of "Ekasarna Vaishnavism", this practice has declined by a part of them.

Clans

[edit]

Thengals have twenty one exogamous clans each of which was formed according to various occupations. They are 1. Hajowal, 2. Manikial, 3. Muktal or Mukutial, 4. Durrungial, 5. Dalangiyal, 6. Sakuriyal, 7. Haigiyal or Sargial, 8. Xukrial, 9. Hogral, 10. Biyagharal, 11. Kumral or Kumarial, 12. Dekral or Dhekiyal, 13. Nangal, 14 Lathiyal, 15. Neguriyal, 16. Dinkgiyal, 17. Dhuliyal, 18. Formal, 19. Ejmal, 20. Mekheliyal. Marriage within the same clan is strictly prohibited.[6]

Language

[edit]

The language of Thengals is Assamese. However, there are some phonetic variations in their speech due to their Tibeto-burman background. According to Nanda Bora, the language of Thengal and Sonowal Kacharis is actually Assamese. In the past, their language was under the Boro-Garo languages but the circulation of the language is no more present. At present their mother tongue is Assamese.[7]

Marriage

[edit]

Marriage in the Thengal kachari community involves Vedic rites and rituals. There are basically three types of marriage 1. Bor biya, 2. Abioi Biya or Juron Diya Biya, and 3. Poluai ana Biya.[4]

Festivals and customs

[edit]

Festivals

[edit]
  • Torachira Bihu (তৰাছিৰা বিহু)
  • Suwa utuwa utsav
  • Panitula Sabah
  • Bihu

Customs associated with folk belief

[edit]
  • Ai Sabah
  • Apeswari Sabah
  • Mritakok diya
  • Shiva worship

Customs associated with worship of spirits

[edit]
  • Jakh-Jakhini puja
  • Ga Dangoria puja
  • Bhitar Sokam
  • Sani gharar sawul
  • Jal Debota puja
  • Lakhimi sal
  • Tupula Bandha
  • Pir diya

Religion

[edit]

The Thengals are mostly the followers of Vaishnavism and they were initiated by Basudev Gosain of Auniati satra. Hence they are the followers of Brahma Samhati and obeys the Vedic rites and rituals and are known as Bamonia as they engage Brahmin priests in their religious ceremonies or Mahekia as they conduct funeral feast after a month. Besides, there are two more sections of Thengals, one of which is called Nam-kirtania or Hari-dhanis and follows Eksarana Naam Dharma and are under Srimanta Sankardeva Sangha and the other section have taken the Ek Saran Bhagabati Dharma and initiated into the mode of worshiping of Mahapurushiya Dharma also called Egharoh Diniya as they conduct funeral feast after 11 days.

The Thengals are completely Hinduised. However, the Bamunia section are seen to have retained some of their animistic rituals.[8]

See also

[edit]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Bora, Jyotika (2007). The Thengal kacharis of Assam: A sociological study.
  2. ^ (Muthukumaraswamy 2006, p. 79)
  3. ^ Census of India 1891: Assam. Report. 1892.
  4. ^ a b c (Dutta 2010)
  5. ^ (Borboruah 1997)
  6. ^ Borah, Jogeswar. Sinar pora Doiyangoloi.
  7. ^ Bora, Nanda. Asamor Thengal kacharir itibritta.
  8. ^ Bora, Jyotika (2007). The Thengal kacharis of Assam: A sociological study.

References

[edit]
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