CRITIQUE: An International Interdisciplinary Research Journal ISSN: 2454-1419

Volume: 1(October, 2015) Issue: III Article: 16

Continuity and Change: A Study on the Deori Women of in India

Guptajit Pathak Assistant Professor in History Kanya Mahavidyalaya () , Assam, India & Ph. D. Research Scholar Department of Women’s Studies Magadh University Boodh Gaya, Bihar, India

ABSTRACT: Generally speaking, every patriarchal society treats women as weaker and inferior to men. They are not given the equal status in economic, social, cultural religious fields. Though they play a vital role in preserving the human race, yet they are treated as commodity to use and throw, they are remaining as vulnerable and deprived even today.

Urbanization or Urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as an outcome of global change. Urbanization is closely linked to viva modernization, industrialization, globalization and the Sociological process of rationalization. As more and more people leave villages and farms leave in cities, urban growth results.

The Deoris in the 21st century witnessed social and cultural transmission due to the modernization and globalization. Hence, they like the changing scenario.

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Volume: 1(October, 2015) Issue: III Article: 16

Change is the law of nature. Numerous factors brought changes into the socio-cultural life of the Deoris. There has been a shift from joint to nuclear family. The status of the Deori women has changed. Key Words: Deori, globalization, industrialization, modernization, women.

Introduction: Urbanization, Modernization and globalization are the multidimensional and complex process, occurs in all societies irrespective of their structure, compactness, integrity and stage of development. For a change to be termed development, it must occur continuously in a desirable dimension and direction. These desired aims are specified by the values and needs of the society concerned. While change results in modification or alteration of the old by the new ones, development aims to achieve human well-being and enhance the quality of life. The tribal, ethnic community of Assam, located in India‟s North East, is witnessing the spirit of social change and development due to a variety of factors. Having diverse ethnic origins, representing racial stock from Proto- Austroloid to Mongoloid, with a distinctive socio-cultural system, own cultural ethos, a unique way of adaptation to different ecological niches and a distinctive social structure of their own, these tribal communities seem to respond to processes of social change and development quite differently compared to other communities. In this arena the role of women is vital as women are an active agent of change. The method of social change and development is no way uniform throughout the state. It is different among different tribal groups and in varying spatial contexts. The effects of change also seem to assume different orders and pattern. An attempt is made in this research paper to understand the patterns of social change and development among the Deori ethnic women.

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Volume: 1(October, 2015) Issue: III Article: 16

Statement of the Problem: The deori women of Assam have their unique identity even they have been able to maintain their old traditions, which is a subject of research.

Aims and Objectives: The main objectives of the study are: 1. To find out the level of social change and socio-economic development among Deori women as reflected through different demographic and socioeconomic attributes in varied spatial contexts in Assam. 2. To explore the dynamics of social change and development as reflected in the nature and extent of change among the women of different tribal groups. 3. To study about the Continuity and Changes in the form of social transformation among the Deori women due to urbanization, modernization and globalization.

Rationale:

Assam is a land of a multiplicity of cultures, tribes and religions. While discussing about the standpoint of Tribal Women in India we have to speak in relation to the unique reflection of the Deori Women of Assam.

Hypothesis:

In the socio-economic aspects, the deori women are of great value towards continuity and changes .

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Volume: 1(October, 2015) Issue: III Article: 16

Database and Methodology: The research paper is basically a descriptive cum survey method. The study is based on both primary and secondary data. Data for understanding the average condition of demographic, social and economic characteristics have been collected from the district census handbook. The secondary sources are mainly books, articles, journals, magazines, newspapers, periodicals, research paper, pamphlets, paper clips, internet, websites and different types of collections. Primary data have been taken from Deori villages of Assam and secondary data has also been used in making some statements. In order to have detailed information on various aspects relating to demographic, economic, socio-cultural characteristics and cultural preservation and social change among Deori women household survey has been conducted with the help of a well-designed questionnaire.

Continuity and Transformation of the Deori Women of Assam in India:

Generally speaking, the level of social development is a complex, dynamic and multidimensional term. It is viewed in a relative context. Combining the individual values of change meaningfully towards getting the overall dimension of change is really a difficult task. This is more so due to considerably a large number of indicators involving contrasting nature of the data and units of measurement.

Among the different measures of determining change index, although the range equalization method developed by UNDP for determination of Human Development Index is found to be highly useful both for socioeconomic change and develop the meaningful consideration of minimum and maximum values for some attributes is quite difficult, if not impossible. North East India is a „Paradise for Travelers‟ and one of the most significant regions of South Asia, in terms of availability of natural resources, scenic beauty and rich culture and tradition. Assam is the entryway to NER of India. „Peerless land‟ as that is what Assam means, is known

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Volume: 1(October, 2015) Issue: III Article: 16

the seeding ground for many civilizations. Many tribes came to Assam from different regions, brought different life styles and made Assam a mirror of different civilizations and cultures.

The Deori Community has Mongolian Characteristics on them. Racially they belong to the Indo- Mongoloid stock on the one hand and linguistically to the Tibeto-Burman family of language on the other.

Deori Tribe is found in the states of Assam, and . They speak both Assamese and a Tibeto-Burman language called Deori (Chutiya). The name Deori derives from the word „Deva‟ which means „God.‟ This tribe comprises three distinct groups or „khels‟ namely Dibongia, Tengapania and Borgoya.

Trade and commerce play an important part in the economic life of a tribe or people. This is no exception to the Deoris of Assam. They have trade relations with the people living around them. The Deoris sell and buy many things in the markets. The following are the lists of articles bought and sold by the Deoris in the markets.

Articles Bought:

Salt, kerosene oil, dry fish, match, soap, pen, paper, pencil, lime, hoe, knife sickle, flash-lights, mirrors, sandals, sewing machines, bi-cycles, umbrellas, plastic combs, plastic stools, candles chairs and mustard oil.

Articles Sold:

Lady‟s finger, chili, ginger, garlic, potato, tomato, turmeric, banana, pineapple, different kinds of vegetables, fowls, pigs goats.

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Volume: 1(October, 2015) Issue: III Article: 16

In the present scenario lot of changes have been found in dress pattern and social life as well as in education and also medical practices. Various groups of have settled amicably at different places of Assam.

Regarding weights and measures nothing is properly known. Possibly like other people, the Deoris used the same weights and measures, chiefly current among them in the past. Now-a-days modern tools or instruments have been used by the Deori women in buying or selling their goods.

Change is the law of nature. Different causes have brought changes in the socio-cultural life of the Deoris. Modernization has affected their cultural traditions of the past because many people of the Deori women as are already mentioned that they are working in urban areas and coming to rural areas with an advanced view. This has affected old traditions and culture of the Deori ethnic group.

There has been a shift from joint to nuclear family. The urbanization as is known to create nuclear families in the 21st century advanced world, some Deori women after living in urban areas opt for the nuclear family system of living.

There rituals have been assimilated with the Assamese culture. Since their long stay with the Assamese community as a never greatly affected the Deori Community. Many related reasons are accountable for greater assimilation of Deori ethnic group into the greater Assamese culture.

The position of the Deori women has changed. They became aware of education, culture and life-style and joined in different services. Education and exposure to the outer world after staying in urban areas raised the consciousness of womenfolk among the Deori ethnic group.

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Their food pattern has changed. As of now education, exposure, urban environment and interaction with greater communities, especially Assamese led to change in food habits of diary community.

The costumes and traditions of the Deori women have witnessed the changes. Presently, they wear modern clothes. Modernization and western culture transmitted through mass-media, internet and neighbour culture the fashion of 21st century world. The Deori women never failed to copy and experience the new available fashion. This has generally affected their traditional costumes as those are costly and not easily available as compared to the new fashionable clothes.

Important that the Dormitory system had declined and changes have been brought due to circumstances and situations created by modernization and are directly affected by urbanization. Some young people have left their rural villages in search of jobs in urban areas and were posted in different places.

The Culture of the Deori has been assimilated to Assamese culture in recent years. The Deori ethnic group in the recent years is found to be heading towards not only cultural changes but also religious conversion. The place of their worship is called “Thanghar”. They are found to be adopting „‟ (Kundism) which means a leaning towards Hindu culture. Acceptance of ‘Anukul Thakur’ as a religious guru towards attaining salvation also shows their leaning towards Hinduism. Recently many Deori people are found to be converted to and Namadharma (Sankari Dharma). The reason behind adopting Christianity as a religion is the massive work of the missionaries.

In different cultural fiestas the Deori women play a pivotal role. The religious festival of the Deori Community did not confine to rural areas occupied by the Dorians. Their interaction with the outside world in the urban areas they started celebrating the festival in those areas. For instance Ibaku Bichu Gima Meso (ending of Fagun and the beginning of Choit month), the

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festival of welcoming Basanta (Bohag month) is being celebrated in Guwahati i.e., Sonai Goli and other urban areas. This highlights that, in an environment where conversion, assimilation and modernization is tenet rating the traditional religion and culture of the tribe, some Deori intend to keep their identity and perform such type of festival in urban areas.

Table-1: Level of Socio-Economic Change among the Tribal Women (Inter-Tribal variation) in Assam, 1971-1991 and 1991-2001.

Tribal Groups Change Change Index Value* Change Index Value** Index Value** 1971 1991 1991 (1991-2001)

1. Boro 9.08 9.14 9.08 9.14 14.35

2. Missing 16.33 6.37 14.12

3. Karbi 23.15 5.60 13.35

4. Rabha 19.13 5.19 12.47

5. Sonowal Kachari 9.80 5.83 12.98

6. 26.59 5.12 11.57

7. Dimasa 19.13 5.71 12.19

8. Deroi 16.88 5.61 13.39

All Scheduled Tribes 10.46 5.81 13.07

*Based on five demographic and socio-economic variables.

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**Based on ten demographic and socio-economic variables. Source : Census of India, 1971, Assam, Part 2-A, General Population Tables and Part 2-C (i), Social and Cultural Tables; Census of India 1991, Series 4, Assam, Part 2-B, Primary Census Abstract; Census of India, 2001, Series 19, Assam, Tables A5-A9, Primary Census Abstract.

Deori girl in the costume of a bride on the Deori girl making Bocha (Traditional Towel) eve of the marriage day

The Deori women of different villages of Assam organized by means of SHGS. They practice small savings, engage income generating activities by means of food preservation, weaving, pusiculture etc. there are numbers of weaving centres in these two villages run by Self Help groups.

Women of the Deori ethnic group enjoy economic independence. They have individual savings accounts, insurance policies and spend money as per their own choice without taking consent

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from their male counterparts. They sell the excess food grains to meet the family or individual expenses by the way of mutual understanding. They take part in the economic decision making matters and the small credit system of the SHG‟s help a lot of this sort of economic empowerment.

The womenfolk of the Deori ethnic group contribute more than 80% to the economy of the community. Still, there is work differentiation. They work like cleaning, washing clothes, cooking, etc. are done by womenfolk besides their economic activities.

In the recent time, the women of the Deori community are organized by means of Mahila Samities, Sahitya Sabha etc. they like to render their services to the community by means on Non-Governmental Organisations or Community Based Organization also.

Findings:

From this study I have arrived at the following findings:

1. The Deori women in the 21st century witnessed socio-economic and cultural transmission due to the urbanization and globalization. Hence, they like the changing scenario.

2. It is found that there is an assimilation of culture because of urbanization.

3. Adoption of Western culture led to the decline in handicrafts.

4. Some Deori women are adopting Christianity as a religion.

Suggestions for Future Research:

The present study is immensely educative and connected to research in nature as it covers an important segment of the educational ladder. The following suggestions find out the quality of socioeconomic and cultural developments of the Deori women.

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1. Opportunity should be given to Deori women and other tribal women in relation to financial allocation by the State and Central Governments.

2. The position of Deori women is great, hence, more prospect should be given in every aspect of life.

3. To prepare social work manpower to deal with specific problems or issues in the society especially in relation to local and regional concerns.

4. To stimulate an interest in social work research for the researchers or the academicians to carry on social investigations which will help them in their future journey of life.

Conclusions:

During the study it has been observed that Deori Women are the asset of the community. They are the backbone of the economy. The Social attitude towards the ability of women has been changing. They enjoy equality in economic, cultural and political fields. Despite the tremendous changes the Deori women have maintained their traditions with the right perspectives, though some changes have been found in the various socio-economic and cultural functions. Though Deori women are culturally advanced yet they have sufficient scope to establish them worldwide.

It can be stated that the degree of social-change and socio-economic development among the Deori women of Assam varies spatially depending on historical factors, infrastructural base, and prevailing socio-cultural practice in its different parts. From the above analysis, it is found that the level of development is highest among the Deori. The changes seen in the Deroi society indicate that the society is in a mid way between tradition and modernity, while tradition prevails in many respects, modernity is fast penetrating into the life of the people.

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Volume: 1(October, 2015) Issue: III Article: 16

Bibliographic Information:

1. Deori, D. (1964) “Deori Sanskriti”, Ram Rajabari Panidihing, Sibasagar.

2. Deori, S., (2009) –Article “Deori Janagosthi Aru Jibondhara”-published in Asamar Janagosthi-Ati Parichaya (ed.) by Doley, B. K.

3. Deori, S., (2002) , Religious Practices of the Deoris, Bina Library, College Hostel Road, Guwahati-1, Assam.

4. Gisbert, P., Fundamental of Sociology.

5. Gupta, S. S., (1984), Introductory Sociology.

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