The Bodo-Kachari
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 people of the region who share some degree of cultural and linguistic heritage; however, the term embraces many distinct populations, societies, and ethnic groups like Boro Kachari, Dimasa Kachari, Sonowal Kachari, Mech Kachari, Rabha Kachari, Thengal Kachari, Tiwa (Lalaung), Sarania, Moran-Motok, Twipras (Tiprasa/Devburman, Reangs, Jamatia, Noatia, Uchai, Mogh) who have their own particular traditions, language, cultures, and historical identity. Among the Dimasas, who speak a related language, "Bodo" refers to a particular clan, of which the former Kachari kings were a part. 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. The others have been either Hinduized (e.g. Koch, Sarania), or have developed separate identities (e.g. Garo).
The Bodos represent one of the largest ethnic and linguistic groups of Northeast India. Typical Bodo last names (surname) are: Brahma, Boro, Basumatary, Daimary, Swargiary, Goyary, Khakhlary, Mushahary, Mohilary, Narzary, Iswary, Chamframary, Hajowary, Mech, Ramchiary, Baglary, Islary, Bodo, Bodosa, Baro, Borgoyary, ETC. The 1971 census report indicated that Bodos were the 8th largest scheduled-tribe (ST) group in India. In 2011, the national census showed nearly 2 million.
The Bodo language is a member of the Tibeto-Burmese family. The Latin and Bengali (Assamese) scripts 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.
Very early on, Bodos had introduced rice cultivation, tea plantation, pig and poultry farming, and silkworm rearing in North East India. The traditional favourite drink of the Bodos is Zu Mai (Zu: wine; Mai: rice). Rice is a staple food 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.
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