Dibangar Pora Luituloi A collection of Deori Folk Tales

Abstract

Deoris one of the major tribal community of Assam originally settled in the area of Sadiya, Joidaam, Patkai Foothills and in the upper plains area of the Brahmaputra Valley. Gradually they are scattered to most of the upper Assam districts of Assam. Like any other tribal community of Assam the Deoris are also very rich in oral literature that includes folk songs, folk tales, proverbs, riddles, folk epics etc. Though the Deori culture is a store-house of oral literature and folk culture but it is yet to be explored through a systematic research and analysis. These are the base and source of its language and literature. Like any other dynamic culture along with passage of time these beliefs, values and practices naturally passed down from one generation to another generation. But while doing so it might change its change some of its flavor, character and narrative. So it becomes necessary to document and preserve the invaluable treasure of Deori folk culture. As part of that conscious effort this particular book containing the Deori myths, legends, rituals, folk beliefs, customs in the form of folk tales are compiled by Shri Saranan Deori. This book is published by the authors under the grants in aid schemes of this Institute. There are twenty five folk tales which talk about creation of lives on earth, origin of Deoris, history of migration, conflicts among Ahom and Chutias, origin of the term Tengapani, origin of the name of Kakdong and Kakojan river, beliefs related to construction of Tameshwari temple, Agreement between the Gosai Mahantas and Deoris, invention of paddy cultivation, border conflict between Deori and Misimis etc. This book will give us an account of Deori folk culture, their faith and beliefs, glimpses of their past history and their socio cultural life.