 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Assam,Arunachal Pradesh | |
| Languages | |
| Assamese,Deori | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism,[1]Folk religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Boros,Morans,Sonowal Kacharis,Chutias |
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| Culture of Assam |
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TheDeori people are one of the majorTibeto-Burmeseethnic groups of theNortheast Indian states ofAssam andArunachal Pradesh. They refer to themselves as "Jimochayan" which means children's ofSun andMoon in their native language ( Jimo meaning "seed/child", cha/sã meaning "sun" and Ya meaning "moon"). They historically lived in the area ofSadiya, Joidaam,Patkai foothills and in the upper plains or also called as the hinterland of theBrahmaputra Valley.
Scanty information was found in few books and official records. TheDeori language belongs to theBoro-Garo branch of theTibeto-Burman language family. The community has maintained their racial traits,language, religion,folktales and traditional beliefs through the centuries.[5] They were divided intoDibang-goñya(Dibongiya),Midoñya/Tengapaniya,Luitgoñya/Borgoñya,Patorgoñya.[6] The native language is retained only by the Dibongiya group. They call themselvesJimochãya (literally:Children of the Sun).
The Deoris' homeland was in the eastern regions ofundivided Assam. As per the folklore of the Deori people, they are settlers of the area of Joidaam andPatkai foothills and upper valley ofBrahmaputra. Recorded Data and songs from the people dates back them as an early settlers inSadiya where their oldest and most sacred temple is situated. DuringBurmese (Maan as called by Deoris) aggression (1817–1826), many Deoris perished. Many slaughtered and many taken as captive. Again the destructive earthquake of 1869 devastated the whole community. The uncertainty about future prevailed amongst those who floated down in the river using bamboo and banana plant made raft. They migrated to different places alongside therivers they floated down. As they entered and landed in their new territory, they took the name of that particular river as theirclan name. Deoris under the ruler of the new land had followed the law of the land. Those Deoris whomigrated to places with less interest and influence of the outside rulers had followed their culture and traditions and continued theirdialect.
Some experts, likeBishnu Prasad Rabha, claim that thePator-goya clan assimilated with theTiwa people in central Assam but there has been no scientific evidence to support the claim, which prompted a section of Deoris to begin a search. A preliminary investigation from 30 September to 5 October under the aegis ofJimachaya Giyan Aru Juktibadi Samaj has given a positive indication of the presence of Deori people inKachin province and nearYangon in Myanmar. A team of researchers has decided to visitMyanmar in search of the lost clan.[7] Most of the people of Dibongiya class can speak their own mother tongue along with Assamese, but the rest of the 3 other classes/clans ( except few elderly persons) only understand and speakAssamese as their mother tongue. The three classes of Deoris live in the districts mentioned above.
TheDeori language is one of the languages of theTibeto-Burman languages family. Deori language is mainly spoken inAssam andArunachal Pradesh. Over the years, Deori speakers, barring theDibongia clan which uses it rigorously, have shifted to speaking theAssamese language, which can be attributed to theLanguage shift phenomenon.
Traditionally Deori people followKundism (alsoDeori religion), is theFolk religion of the Deori tribe. Its aanimistic,Shamanic andAncestor worshiping typePolytheistic religion named after the DeityKundi-mama, one of the main deity of Deori tribe.Kundi-gira (the father) andKundi-girasi (the mother) together known as kundi-mama orGira-Girasi (the old ones). The other main deities worshipped by the people arePisa-dema (the eldest son) also known asBaliya-baba orBaliya-hemta andPishasi (the daughter) also known asTamreswari orKechakati. Deori's are very religious people and due to the influence ofHinduism, they also worship and believe inHindudeities.[citation needed]
Miduku or kundiku (also,Than/dauhal) are the site of worshiping for the people.
The Deoriethnic group are mainly divided into four clans, namelyDibongia, Borgoya,Tengaponiya andPator-goya. The entire people of each main clan or main group are again subdivided into several sub-clans or sub-groups. The word "sub-clan" or "sub-group" is called "Boja" or "Bahor" inDeori language. Some of the commonly known sub-clans are like Ariya, Kumota, Bihiya, Naroda, Sundhariya, Patriya, Dupiya, Marangya, Chariya, Lagasu, Chitiga, Meheda, Kuliya, Khutiya/Buruk, Machiya, Bikomiya, Phaporiya, Fagimegia, Senaboriya, Chakucharu, Ekacharul/Busaru, Simocharu, Hizaru, Popharu, Gucharu etc.[8] Each Deori people wants to know or wants to inform about their main clan and sub-clan (sub-group) in their first introduction. Otherwise, their introduction remains incomplete.
Deoris are known to serve as priests in three temples: theTamreswari Temple, the Bura-Buri Than, the Boliya-hemata Temple and also inMalinithan.[9]
The temple of Kecaikhaiti called Tamreswari Temple near Paya andMalinithan inLikabali ofArunachal Pradesh wasworshipped by the Borgoya khel of the Deoris.[10]
The Bura-Bura Than was worshipped by theDibongia khel, while Boliya-hemanta Temple or Pisadema was worshipped by the Tengapania khel of the Deoris located on the Tengapani River.[11]
Ahom [aho]
Census Data Finder/C Series/Population by Religious Communities
2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01 MDDS.XLS
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| Sikkim | ||
| Kuki tribes including: | ||
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