Bodo: Indian Tribe

The Bodo tribe, also called Bodo-Kachari, is one of the largest and most important indigenous tribes of Northeast India, mainly living in the state of Assam. They are known for their rich culture, traditional music, colourful festivals, and long historical heritage. The Bodos are one of the earliest settlers of the Brahmaputra Valley and belong to the larger Tibeto-Burman language group. Their identity, customs, and lifestyle make them a significant part of India’s tribal diversity.

Origin and Language

The Bodos are part of the ancient Kachari groups, believed to have migrated from Tibet many centuries ago. Their language, Bodo, is a recognized Schedule VIII language of India and is taught in schools across Assam. It has its own script and is widely spoken in districts like Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri.

Geographical Location

Most Bodo people live in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) of Assam. You can also find Bodo communities in Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, and parts of West Bengal. Villages are usually located near rivers, paddy fields, and forests because agriculture is their main occupation.

Lifestyle and Occupation

The Bodos traditionally live in simple houses made of bamboo, wood, and thatch. The houses are neat and built in rows with a separate kitchen, storage area, and animal shed. Their main occupation is farming, especially rice cultivation, but they also grow mustard, vegetables, pulses, and sugarcane.

Fishing is another major activity. Many Bodos also rear silkworms and weave the famous Eri silk. Today, several Bodo people work in government jobs, education, business, and modern professions.

Dress and Appearance

The traditional dress of Bodo women is called Dokhona, a long cloth wrapped around the body elegantly. They also wear a scarf-like cloth called Jwmgra, along with silver jewellery. Men usually wear Gamsa, similar to a dhoti, and sometimes pair it with a shirt.

Their clothes are colourful, with bright red, yellow, green, and white patterns woven by hand. The Bodo weaving tradition is considered one of the best in Assam.

Food and Cuisine

Bodo cuisine is simple, healthy, and mostly organic. Their food includes rice, fish, chicken, pork, bamboo shoot, leafy vegetables, and fermented items.

 

Popular dishes include:

Oma Bedor (pork curry)

Narzi (bitter fish curry)

Ondla (rice powder and bamboo shoot dish)

Rice beer, known as Zu Mai

Their dishes have natural flavours, usually cooked without heavy masalas.

Religion and Beliefs

Traditionally, Bodos followed Bathouism, a nature-based religion worshipping Bathou, represented by the Sijou plant. Today, many Bodos also follow Hinduism and Christianity, but Bathou culture still remains strong.

Festivals and Dance

Bodo festivals are full of dance, music, and joyful celebrations. The most important festival is Bwisagu, celebrated in April during Bohag Bihu. It marks the New Year and includes singing, dancing, and worship of nature.

Their dances such as Bagurumba, often called the "butterfly dance," are famous for graceful movements and colourful dresses. The Kherai festival is another major cultural celebration with rituals, songs, and dances dedicated to the gods.

Social Structure

The Bodo society is organized, peaceful, and community-focused. They live in groups called Gor (clans), which follow common customs. Elders play a big role in decision-making, and community cooperation is very strong.

Modern Status

The Bodo community has made great progress in education, administration, literature, and sports. The creation of Bodoland Territorial Region helped give more rights and protection to their culture. Bodo writers have contributed significantly to Indian literature, and many young Bodos excel in football, athletics, and martial arts.