 A Thengal Kachari girl in Muga dress | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Upper Assam | |
| Languages | |
| Assamese | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism (variationEkasarana Dharma) and some areAnimistic ritual[1] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| OtherBodo–Kachari people |
TheThengal Kachari people are an indigenous ethnic group ofAssam, India.[2] They are a part of greaterBodo-Kachari family. They are mainly concentrated in theJorhat,Golaghat,North Lakhimpur,Nagaon andKarbi Anglong districts.Their traditional festival is "Tora Chira" bihu. They commonly known as "Kachari" people.
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 weara 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]
Historical accounts on Thengals are very scarce. According to Hiteswar Borbaruah, some Kacharis used to procure silver in theDhansiri river and were called Thengals orRupowal. But earlier they were known by the name "Rupiya thakur".[5]
Thengal kachari is a functional group that weresilver washers by profession during the Ahom rule. They practiceendogamy 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.Theyengage a brahmin in marriage, but with the advent of "Ekasarna Vaishnavism", this practice has declined by a part of them.
Thengals have twenty oneexogamous clans each of which was formed according to various occupations. They are:
The language of Thengals isAssamese. However, there are some phonetic variations in their /ch due to theirTibeto-burman background. According to Nan/ora, the language of/ngal and Sonowal Kacharis is actually Assamese. In the past, their language was under theBoro-Garo languages but the circulation of the language is no more present. At present their mother tongue is Assamese.[6]
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]
The Thengals are mostly the followers ofVaishnavism and they were initiated byBasudev Gosain ofAuniati satra. Hence they are the followers ofBrahma Samhati and obeys the Vedic rites and rituals and are known asBamonia as they engage Brahmin priests in their religious ceremonies orMahekia as they conduct funeral feast after a month. Besides, there are two more sections of Thengals, one of which is calledNam-kirtania orHari-dhanis and followsEksarana Naam Dharma and are underSrimanta Sankardeva Sangha and the other section have taken theEk Saran Bhagabati Dharma and initiated into the mode of worshiping ofMahapurushiya Dharma also calledEgharoh 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 theiranimistic rituals.[7]