An Ethnographic Study of the Singpho Community in Assam

Abstract

This is an ethnographic study of the Singpho tribe of Assam which is rich in culture, history, social beliefs and customs, oral traditions, folklore and traditional knowledge, with the primary aim of throwing light into the community.The different chapters covering the ethnographic study of the community include various aspects of the Singpho community viz. their history, routes of migration along with their relationship with the colonial regime depicting both conflict and co-operation, traditional culture and social mores; weaves and crafts, folk dances and music, customs, traditional knowledge of local architecture, knowledge of traditional medicinal plants, herbs etc and the methods of scientific and healthy cuisine, festivals and religion, natural resources and their forms of livelihood and challenges faced by them as a society. It is also true that the community faces the threat of population decline. This could be attributed, besides other reasons, to population decline due to displacement, loss of land, change of demography, change of geographical boundaries and also due to the problem of opium addiction that the community faces since the colonial days to this day. In spite of their declining population and various challenges that the Singpho society faces, the fact that the community has been successful in keeping their rich culture, traditional beliefs, social customs and traditional knowledge vibrantly alive to this day can be attributed to the cohesiveness of the community and their instinct for resurgence and revival. The study therefore also aims at giving a comprehensive overview of the Singpho society and the juxtaposition of great cultures, traditions and values which were ingrained in the community itself from time immemorial and which the society itself by dint of their efforts has been able to preserve and revive the ones that face extinction.