Ahoms of Assam

It is a humble attempt to discuss about the largest community of Assam. It is not a specialist approach,rather it is a layman's approach. This article dose not cover all aspects of the community. I have gathered some of information from elderly persons of the community and also from some books and articles.

The Ahom

Ahoms ruled Assam for six hundred years. Tai Ahom prince Sukaphaa was the first king who occupied the Ahom throne in "Mun Dun Sun Kham' a place of golden paddy. Sukaphaa and his ac-companions came to the land in 1228 and ruled till 1826. Tai Ahoms are one of the tai ethnic groups. In 1228 Sukafaa a Shaan (Mong Mao) prince came to Brahmaputr valley with 9000 followers(Wikipedia) crossing Patkai rang of mountain. He established his kingdom at Cheraidoi(Charaideo) in Sivsagar district in the year of 1253. Ahoms are known as 'Indrabanshiya' they are the successor of 'Lengdon'.

Festivals and Rituals

Funeral: Originally Ahom does not burn the dead bodies, they kept the body in box. It is called "Maidam". Later on Swargadeu Rajeshwar Singha influenced by Hinduism and gave the direction that the dead bodies should be cremated according to Hindu rituals.

Worship of Ancestors: Ahom worship their ancestors in many occasions. In "Mei Dam Mei Phi' they worshiped the Dam Chaos. It is believed that after death human spirits does not die but become Dam(holly spirit). In 'Mei dam mei phi' Chao Phi (The Supreme Gods) and Dam Chaos are worshiped, they are 1. Khao Kham 2.Ai Lengdin 3.Ja Ching Pha 4. Jan Chai Hung 5.Leng Don 6.Chit Lam Cham 6.Mut Kum Tai Kum 7.Caho Phi Dam 8. Ra Khim 9. Ba Khim.There are another four types of ancestors worship called: Ghai Dam (Main Dead Spirit), Chi Dam (Four Dead Spirit), Jokorua Dam (Collective Dead Spirit) and Na Dam (New Dead Spirit).

Bihu: Tai Ahoms of assam mainly celebrate three bihus. Bihus are basically agriculture related festival, as ahom people's main occupation was cultivation there fore they celebrate these three Bihus namely 1/ Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu 2/ Kati Bihu or Kangali Bihu 3/Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu. The word Bihu comes from the Tai word 'Pi-hu' or 'Poi-Hu'.

Bohag or Rongali Festival is the main which is observed at the beginning of Spring Season and just before Paddy Cultivation. So Some ritual activities are done by the Ahoms.The First day of this Bihu is called ‘Uruka’ or ‘Goru Bihu’.Tai Ahoms are agriculturist, so Goru Bihu (Cow-Festival) is an auspicious festival. People wash the cows and bullocks at the Open Field or at River. Before this smear or mix pulses (Mati-Mah) Flour, Turmeric Flour with Mustard oil and massage whole body with mixture of three medicinal goods. Every Family brings new rope made from one medicinal tree’s bark named ‘Tora Gosh’. Before tying cow’s and bullock’s neck by rope-a mixture prepared as sacred and medicinal by using Tulsi Leaf (Sacred Tree) and mixture of pulses( Mati-Mah),Turmeric flour with mustard oil. At the evening before giving new ‘pogha’( rope) earth lamps put on in front of cow shed to drive away poisonous insects and ants. Mainly used medicinal plants are Bhang, Kaniya Kothal (Thorny plant) and Makhiyoti trees’ branch to kill mosquito and insects.

Ancestor worship is an auspicious culture of Ahoms.At Bihu Festival they offer home made wine ‘Hanj’ and other food items to their ancestors very respectfully. At the day before first Bohag or New Year’s Day Ahoms’ are habituated to take one hundred and one different varieties of medicinal plant and vegetable at supper. A special food items is also prepared on this Amlori Porua’s cocoon (one kind of insect that takes shelter by making nest on branch of trees) is fried with duck egg.

I wold like to thank Mr. J.N Phukan, Mr.Pronab Gogoi, Sukafa Foundation, Wikipedia, for helping me to write this article.