The Sonowal Kacharis of Assam

Abstract

The book The Sonowal Kacharis of Assam written by Mrs Binita Barooah focuses on the life and culture of Sonowal Kacharis. They are mostly concentrated in Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Sibsagar, Jorhat and Golaghat districts of Assam. It contains 15 chapters on different aspects of culture social, cultural, religious, economy of the Sonowal Kacharis along with their origin and migration to this present habitat. Each chapter describes particular aspect of culture and social practices. The economic life and day to day life is portrayed in chapter 2. The structure of village council and its function was elaborately written in chapter 3. The life cycle rituals starting from birth, marriage and death along with associated rituals are also included in this book. The various festivals celebrated by Sonowal Kacharis of Assam have been also documented in this book. The religious life and various religious ceremonies like Baitha puja, Bagh puja, Gajaibhoj, Gupinisabha etc. are discussed in chapter 4. They practice two types of puja community and household. Folk lore and folk song of Sonowal Kacharis are also documented in this book. The book also focussed on the changes that occurred in Sonowal Kachari society over years due to modernization.