The Rabha Tribe of Assam is one of the nine Scheduled Tribes in the plains districts of Assam. Concentrated mainly in the undivided districts of Goalpara, Kamrup, and Darrang, the Rabhas are also found in neighboring regions like Meghalaya, West Bengal, Manipur, Bangladesh, and Nepal. According to the 1971 Census, they constituted 8-63% of the total plains tribal population of Assam, with literacy rates of 22-24%, ranking fourth among the plains tribes. The Rabhas are recognized for their unique cultural, social, and religious practices that reflect both their Mongoloid roots and historical influences from neighboring communities.
Origins and Ethnic Identity of The Rabha Tribe of Assam
The ethnic origins of the Rabha tribe have been the subject of scholarly debate. Major Playfair traced the tribe’s origin to the Tibetan region, suggesting migrations through the Garo Hills before settling in Assam. Observers like Hodson aligned them with the Bodo linguistic group, linking them to other tribes such as the Garos, Kacharis, Mech, Hajong, and Koches. Others, including Lt. Col. Wadel, considered the Rabhas a branch of the Kacharis who had been partially Hinduised. Scholars such as Dr. B. M. Das have argued that the Rabhas are culturally distinct and more closely allied to the Garos, forming part of a Mongoloid migration that absorbed indigenous Austroloid populations over time.
The tribe is divided into several endogamous sections or sub-groups, with Rangdaniya, Pati, and Maitoriya being the dominant ones. These groups vary in cultural practices and social outlook, with the Pati section being the most Hinduised and adopting Assamese patois due to the gradual loss of their mother tongue.
Dwellings and Livelihood of the Rabha Tribe of Assam
Rabhas typically live in compact villages of 50-100 families. Their households traditionally consist of four separate houses—a main house, guest house, an outer house for adults, and a cook-shed—along with a cow-shed, granary, and poultry house where possible. Villages often feature semi-fortified layouts with earthen barricades, similar to Boro-Kachari settlements. However, modern construction styles are increasingly replacing traditional designs due to urban influence and improved road connectivity.
Agriculture remains the primary livelihood, with wet paddy cultivation supplemented by pulses, mustard seeds, and jute. Those near Meghalaya practice shifting cultivation to some extent. Rice is the staple food, often accompanied by dried fish, pork, and rice-beer, although consumption of alcohol has declined due to stricter excise enforcement. Rabha women are skilled spinners and weavers, producing traditional attire like Rifan, Kambung, and Khodabang for women, and Pajal, Khasne, Fali, Buksil, and Passra for men. Their weaving expertise, including intricate floral designs known as Mok-damma Ful, is a vital part of their cultural identity.
Social Life and Institutions of The Rabha Tribe of Assam
The Rabha society is governed by customary laws known as Pandulipis, which regulate inheritance, marriage, social obligations, and rituals. Historically matriarchal, the society has gradually transitioned to a patriarchal system, though remnants of matrilineal practices persist. Inheritance is primarily patrilineal, with daughters receiving property only with family consent. Adoption is recognized, and adopted children may inherit fully.
Marriage customs are complex and strictly regulated, with prohibitions against unions within the same Barai (exogamous sept). Traditional rituals, such as Pan-Tamul Kata, Gota-Tamul Khuoya, Pan-Cheni, and Malancha, involve elaborate exchanges of gifts, food, and ceremonial dress. Rituals like Chalani-bati Sarakoya and Usarga ensure blessings from deities and community elders. Divorce is permissible with approval from village councils, often conducted using a symbolic betel-leaf system.
Religious Beliefs and Festivals of The Rabha Tribe of Assam
Traditionally animists, the Rabhas worship household deities and nature spirits. The Pati Rabhas, influenced by Hinduism, celebrate festivals such as Durga Puja, Kalipuja, Ganesh Puja, and Shiva Puja, while also following Vaishnavite principles under the Mahapurusiya sect. Christianity has been adopted by some communities in Kamrup and Goalpara districts.
Major traditional festivals include:
- Baikho/Khoksi Puja: Observed by Rangdani and Maitori groups to propitiate the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
- Langapuja: Conducted by Pati and Rangdani groups, dedicated to Mahadeva and other deities, seeking agricultural prosperity and protection.
- Maraipuja: Celebrated to appease Monasa, the queen of serpents, ensuring protection from diseases and natural calamities.
- Hanaghora Dance: A cultural and ritualistic festival celebrated with neighboring tribes.
- Dadon Mela: An annual event near Dadon hills in Goalpara honoring the legendary hero Dadan and the deity Sri Sri Risi.
Birth and Death Ceremonies of The Rabha Tribe of Assam
Rabhas propitiate the household deity Bai-ma-ba to ease childbirth. Mothers are considered unclean until the umbilical cord falls, after which the child is named, and a feast is arranged. Death rites vary depending on the nature of death. Ordinary deaths involve washing and dressing the body, cremation or burial, and observance of ritual purity. In unnatural deaths, bodies are buried, and entire villages fast until rites are completed. Funeral ceremonies are typically less elaborate among Pati Rabhas but include offerings of boiled rice, meat, eggs, fish, and minimal consumption of rice-beer, reflecting growing adherence to socio-religious reforms.
Language and Literature of The Rabha Tribe of Assam
The Rabha language is mainly spoken among Rangdani and Maitoriya groups, while some sub-groups have developed their own dialects. Many Pati Rabhas have shifted to Assamese patois. Efforts to standardize Rabha include initiatives by Bibek Rabba Kraurang Runchume and the Rabha Bhasa Parisad, producing textbooks, grammar guides, and literary works. Post-independence, organizations like the Sodou Rabha Kristi Sangha and Rabha Sahitya Sabha fostered cultural revival and promoted literature rooted in indigenous traditions.
Trends of Change of The Rabha Tribe of Assam
The Rabha society is undergoing multi-dimensional change. Social assimilation with Hindu practices, adoption of Christianity, declining traditional rituals, and modern education have transformed their socio-cultural and economic life. Traditional festivals like Baikho and Langapuja have seen a decline, and indigenous crafts like musical instruments and weaving are gradually disappearing. However, improved education and communication have encouraged participation in civil services, self-employment, and trade, signifying a progressive shift in the community’s outlook.
Conclusion
The Rabhas of Assam represent a unique and vibrant community whose history, culture, and social structure reflect a rich tapestry of traditions shaped over centuries. Originally part of the Bodo linguistic and ethnic group, the Rabhas have maintained their distinct identity while adapting to changes brought by Hinduism, Vaishnavism, and Christianity. Their social institutions, marriage customs, festivals, and ritual practices reveal a gradual shift from matriarchal to patriarchal norms, while still retaining traces of their ancestral heritage. The Rabha women’s skills in weaving and the tribe’s musical and literary traditions highlight a deep connection with their cultural roots. Despite facing challenges from modernization and economic pressures, the community is witnessing positive changes through education, social mobility, and engagement in various professional fields. The Rabhas continue to balance tradition and modernity, preserving their ethnic identity while embracing opportunities for socio-economic progress.
