Bathouism

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Bathouism
बाथौ
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Bathou flag
TypeEthnic religion
ClassificationAnimism
ScriptureNone
TheologyNature worship, Polytheism
Supreme deityBathoubwrai
Second major deityMainao
PriestsDouri and Doudini
RegionAssam, Northeast India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal
LanguageBoro language
LiturgyBathou aroj
Founderunknown
Other nameTemplate:Pluralize from textBathou, Boro folk religion

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Bathouism (also, Bathou) is the folk religion of the Boro people of Assam in Northeast India.[1] The name Script error: No such module "Lang". (Script error: No such module "Lang"., five; Script error: No such module "Lang"., deep)[2] in Boro means five principles.[3] The five principles are: Script error: No such module "Lang". (air), Script error: No such module "Lang". (fire), Script error: No such module "Lang". (earth), Script error: No such module "Lang". (water) and Script error: No such module "Lang". (ether).[4] The chief deity, called Script error: No such module "Lang". (Script error: No such module "Lang".: "the Elder")— omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent— is said to have created the five principles. Though there are other minor gods and goddesses, Bathoubwrai is considered the Supreme God. Bathoubwrai is unseen. The second most important deity is Script error: No such module "Lang"., the daughter of Bathoubwrai, who is considered as the "protector of the rice fields".[5][6]

Evolution and Variations

Bathouism has evolved and adapted over time, shaped by various social, cultural, and historical factors. These influences have led to the emergence of different variants within Bathouism. While the core beliefs and principles remain largely the same, certain practices and rituals have undergone changes or have been interpreted differently among various branches. One significant factor influencing Bathouism has been its interaction with other religions and belief systems, such as Hinduism.[7]

Currently, within Bathouism, there are various branches, including Bibar Bathou, Bwli Bathou, Aroj Bathou, Moni Bathou, Jangkhrao Bathou, and Sonathon Bathou, among others.

Altars

The altars of Kamaika (Khamaikha), Mainaw and Bathou are situated in the easternmost part of the main house.[8] Bathou is always worshiped in conjunction with the goddess Mainaw /Kamaika (Khamakha).[9] when worshiping, Baraja remains on the right side of Bathou and Mainaw remains on the left side and the worshipers always face east. When you bow down to the lamp and incense sticks in the Bathou, you have to rotate it 5 times in the anti-clockwise direction While to the Mainaw one is to rotate it 7 times in the anti-clockwise direction.

Script error: No such module "Lang". plant

The Script error: No such module "Lang". plant, Euphorbia neriifolia [10][11] is considered the living embodiment of Bathoubwrai. Families that follow Bathouism plant a Script error: No such module "Lang". shrub at the northeast corner of their courtyard, in an altar called Script error: No such module "Lang".. Bodo communities that follow Bathouism generally plant a Script error: No such module "Lang". shrub at a community land, fenced with eighteen pairs of bamboo strips with five fastenings.[12] Each pair symbolizes a pair of minor god-goddess. The five fastenings signify, from bottom: birth, pain, death, marriage and peace/pleasure. The bottom three fastenings, called Script error: No such module "Lang"., are those that one cannot escape in life; whereas the top two one could. In the past, thulsi and jathrasi plants were also commonly used in place of the sijou plant.

Gods, goddesses and gurus

Sidney Endle differentiates between household gods and community gods.[13] Of the household gods Bathoubwrai, Mainao, Song Bwrai/Burai and Bura Bagh Raja are considered prominent.[14] The practice of representing Bathoubwrai by the Script error: No such module "Lang". tree was more common among Boros (or Mech) of Goalpara region, and less so in Darrang. Song Raja is usually represented inside the house in an altar called Script error: No such module "Lang"., a deity who obtains devotion from women, and receives offerings during women's menses; but these offerings are eventually brought out and laid at the Script error: No such module "Lang". tree representing Bathou.[15]

The eighteen pairs of gods-goddesses are:

  1. Mwnsinsin bwrai-Mwnsinsin burwi
  2. Si Bwrai-Si Burwi
  3. Aham Bwrai-Aham Burwi
  4. Khuria Bwrai-Khuria Burwi
  5. Eheo Bwrai-Eheo Burwi
  6. Mainao Bwrai-Mainao-Burwi
  7. Bwlli Bwrai-Bwlli Burwi
  8. Deva Bwrai-Devi Burwi
  9. Gongar Bwrai-Gongar Burwi
  10. Joumwn Bwrai-Joumwn Burwi
  11. Song Raja-Song Rani
  12. Hasung Bwrai-Hasung Burwi
  13. Rajong Bwrai-Rajong burwi
  14. Agrang Bwrai-Agrang Burwi
  15. Hazw Bwrai-Hazw Burwi
  16. Emao Bwrai-Emao Burwi
  17. Mohela Bwrai-Mohela Burwi
  18. Hafao Bwrai-Hafao Burwi

Worship

Traditional

Traditional Bathouism did not have any written scriptures or religious books, nor temples. Worship is performed at the Script error: No such module "Lang"., and constitutes offering animals and fowls for sacrifice and rice beer. Notable religious festivals were Kherai, Garja and others. These ceremonies are performed by priests called Douri (male priest) and Doudini (female priest). This religion was not organized.

Revivalism/Reformation

All Bathou Religious Union, an organization, was constituted in 1992 and it has begun reviving and reforming the traditional religion. The traditional role of the Script error: No such module "Lang". and Script error: No such module "Lang". are replaced by the Script error: No such module "Lang". appointed by the organization, and a band of singers who sing in a practice called Script error: No such module "Lang".. The construction of temples, resembling churches or mosques called Script error: No such module "Lang"., have come into being. Script error: No such module "Lang". is performed on Tuesdays in Script error: No such module "Lang".. Sacrifices of animals and fowls, and offering of rice beer as modes of worship has been replaced by offering of flowers, fruits and the burning of incense. The partaking of Script error: No such module "Lang". has also become popular.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Bathou is the name of traditional religion of the Boros." Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  2. ^ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  3. ^ "The meaning of the term ‘Bathou ’ is five deep principle of creation." Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  4. ^ ".(O)f earth, water, air, fire and ether (ha, dwi, bar, or and okhrang). Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  5. ^ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  6. ^ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  7. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Acculturation and Transition in Religious Beliefs and Practices of The Bodos | PDF | Religious Conversion | Faith Healing". Scribd. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  8. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Bhattacharya, Pramod Chandra (1977). A Descriptive Analysis of the Boro Language. Department of Publication, Gauhati University. p. 17.
  9. ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Bhattacharya, P.C (1960). Sino - Tibetan ( Boro ) Elements in the Formation of an Indo - Aryan Toponymy : Kamakhya. Indian Linguistics. p. 43.
  10. ^ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  11. ^ "The Bathouism or Bathou is symbolised by the Sijou plant Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  12. ^ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
  13. ^ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Footnotes/anchor_id_list' not found.
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Further reading

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