Welcome!

Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.

Hajong people Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

Study Hints Create Teach
Global Score: 0
Trophies: 0 🏆

‹ Back

Score: 0 / 100

Study Guide: The Hajong People: Culture, History, and Society

Cheat Sheet:
The Hajong People: Culture, History, and Society Study Guide

Origins, Migration, and Demographics

The Hajong people are primarily located in Southern India and Sri Lanka.

Answer: False

Explanation: The primary geographical distribution of the Hajong people is in Northeast India and Northern Bangladesh, not Southern India and Sri Lanka.

Return to Game

According to legend, the Hajong name originates from the Hajo area in present-day Kamrup District, Assam.

Answer: True

Explanation: Folklore indicates that the ancestral homeland of the Hajong people was in the Hajo area, leading to the name 'Hajong' signifying 'descendants of Hajo'.

Return to Game

The Hajong population in India was significantly larger than in Bangladesh according to the 2011 census.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 2011 census data confirms a substantially larger Hajong population in India (71,800) compared to Bangladesh (7,996).

Return to Game

The Hajongs traditionally consider themselves descendants of the Moon god, Chandrama.

Answer: False

Explanation: A prevalent legend states that the Hajongs consider themselves descendants of the Sun god, Surya (Suryawanshi), not the Moon god, Chandrama.

Return to Game

Which region is the primary homeland for the Hajong people?

Answer: Northeast India and Northern Bangladesh

Explanation: The Hajong people are predominantly found in Northeast India and the northern regions of Bangladesh.

Return to Game

According to the 2011 census, approximately how many Hajong people were recorded in India?

Answer: Around 71,800

Explanation: The 2011 census recorded approximately 71,800 Hajong people residing in India.

Return to Game

What is the traditional belief about the origin of the Hajong name?

Answer: It means 'descendants of Hajo'.

Explanation: According to tradition, the name 'Hajong' signifies 'descendants of Hajo,' referencing their ancestral land in present-day Assam.

Return to Game

According to legend, where did the initial settlement of Hajongs occur after fleeing Hajo?

Answer: The northern foothills of the Garo Hills

Explanation: Legend recounts that the Hajongs, after fleeing Hajo, established their initial settlement in the northern foothills of the Garo Hills.

Return to Game

Language and Linguistics

The Hajong language is classified as a Dravidian language.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Hajong language is classified as an Indo-Aryan language, not a Dravidian language.

Return to Game

The Hajong language uses the Latin script for writing.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Hajong language is written using the Eastern Nagari script, not the Latin script.

Return to Game

The Hajong language shows influences from which two major language families?

Answer: Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman

Explanation: The Hajong language is classified as Indo-Aryan but exhibits grammatical similarities with Tibeto-Burman languages.

Return to Game

What is a distinctive phonological feature of the Hajong language, uncommon in other Indo-Aryan languages?

Answer: An extra vowel, /ɯ/

Explanation: The Hajong language features an additional vowel, /ɯ/, which is uncommon in other Indo-Aryan languages but characteristic of the Tibeto-Burman family.

Return to Game

Social Organization and Kinship

The original six Hajong clans, named after tribal heads, are still actively recognized today.

Answer: False

Explanation: These original clan divisions are now obsolete, and contemporary generations exhibit little awareness of their existence.

Return to Game

'Nikni' refers to the patrilineal kinship system observed by the Hajongs.

Answer: False

Explanation: 'Nikni' denotes the matrilineal clan system practiced by the Hajongs, not a patrilineal system.

Return to Game

The 'Daidi' system among the Hajongs primarily relates to ensuring prospective marriage partners are not distant relatives.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Daidi' system's principal function in marital contexts was to ascertain that prospective partners were not classified as 'daidi bhagi' (distant relatives), thereby preventing prohibited unions.

Return to Game

The Hajongs are divided into geographical clans known as 'jwar,' each speaking a distinct dialect called 'rao.'

Answer: True

Explanation: The Hajong population is segmented into five geographical clans designated as 'jwar,' with each clan utilizing a unique dialect known as 'rao'.

Return to Game

The influence of Hinduism has led to a strengthening of the traditional matriarchal system among Hajongs.

Answer: False

Explanation: The escalating influence of Hinduism has precipitated a decline in the traditional matriarchal system, fostering greater patriarchal dominance.

Return to Game

Hajong marriages are typically endogamous, meaning they occur outside the tribe.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Hajong community practices endogamy, meaning marriage is typically contracted within the tribe, not outside it.

Return to Game

The Hajong dowry system involves the groom's family paying the bride's family.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Hajong tradition involves a bride price ('pon' or 'khalti') paid by the groom's family, not a dowry paid by the bride's family.

Return to Game

Within the traditional Indian social structure, the Hajongs legendarily place themselves in which varna?

Answer: Kshatriya

Explanation: A prevalent legend attributes descent from the Sun god Surya to the Hajongs, aligning them with the Kshatriya varna.

Return to Game

What is the current status of the six original Hajong clans named after tribal heads?

Answer: They are obsolete and largely forgotten by the current generation.

Explanation: The original six Hajong clans are now obsolete, and the present generation is largely unaware of their existence.

Return to Game

The 'Nikni' system among the Hajongs practiced clan exogamy, meaning:

Answer: Marriage was forbidden within one's own matrilineal clan.

Explanation: Clan exogamy, as practiced under the 'Nikni' system, meant individuals could not marry someone from their own matrilineal clan.

Return to Game

What does the 'Daidi' system primarily relate to in Hajong kinship?

Answer: Patrilineal descent and marriage prohibitions

Explanation: The 'Daidi' system pertains to patrilineal kinship and its associated marriage prohibitions, ensuring partners are not distant relatives.

Return to Game

The division of Hajongs into five geographical clans is known as the:

Answer: Jwar system

Explanation: The division of the Hajong people into five geographical clans is designated as the 'Jwar' system.

Return to Game

How has the influence of Hinduism impacted Hajong social structure?

Answer: It led to the decline of matriarchy and rise of patriarchy.

Explanation: The increasing influence of Hinduism has led to a decline in the traditional matriarchal system among the Hajongs, fostering greater patriarchal dominance.

Return to Game

In Hajong marriages, what is the practice known as 'pon' or 'khalti'?

Answer: A bride price paid by the groom's family to the bride's.

Explanation: 'Pon' or 'khalti' refers to the bride price customarily exchanged, paid by the groom's family to the bride's family.

Return to Game

Material Culture and Traditions

Hajong people are credited with introducing wet-field cultivation to the Garo Hills.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Hajong community is acknowledged for introducing the practice of wet-field cultivation into the Garo Hills region.

Return to Game

Hajong women's traditional attire, the 'pathin,' is typically a loose shirt worn with trousers.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'pathin' is a traditional Hajong wrap-around skirt worn by women, not a loose shirt worn with trousers.

Return to Game

Weaving was traditionally considered a secondary skill for Hajong maidens before marriage.

Answer: False

Explanation: Traditionally, weaving competence was considered a primary requirement for a maiden before marriage, underscoring its cultural significance.

Return to Game

The Hajongs use modern industrial looms for their traditional weaving.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Hajong community utilizes traditional looms, such as the 'salbana' and 'sipnibana,' not modern industrial looms, for their weaving.

Return to Game

Hajong men traditionally wear a garment called 'ningti' or 'bhijâ kapur,' similar to a dhoti.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'ningti' or 'bhijâ kapur' is indeed the traditional lower body garment worn by Hajong men, fashioned similarly to a dhoti.

Return to Game

Traditional Hajong ornaments are exclusively made of silver.

Answer: False

Explanation: While silver is predominant, traditional Hajong ornaments are also crafted from gold, ivory, coral, and conch shells.

Return to Game

The 'Haka' are conch shell bangles traditionally worn by Hajong men.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Haka,' conch shell bangles, are traditionally worn by married Hajong women, not men.

Return to Game

Traditional Hajong houses often feature a granary called 'Chang Ghor' which is built without doors.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'Chang Ghor,' the traditional Hajong granary, is architecturally designed without doors, symbolizing the retention of prosperity.

Return to Game

Rice is a staple food for the Hajong people, often accompanied by meat dishes.

Answer: False

Explanation: While rice is the staple, it is typically eaten with lentils and vegetables. Tortoise meat is mentioned as a favorite, but not as a frequent accompaniment to daily meals.

Return to Game

What significant agricultural practice did the Hajongs introduce to the Garo Hills?

Answer: Wet-field cultivation

Explanation: The Hajong community is credited with introducing the practice of wet-field cultivation to the Garo Hills.

Return to Game

Which garment is described as a wrap-around skirt worn by Hajong women, characterized by horizontal stripes?

Answer: Pathin

Explanation: The 'pathin' is the traditional Hajong wrap-around skirt worn by women, distinguished by its horizontal stripes and colorful patterns.

Return to Game

What traditional loom type is mentioned as being operated solely by hand among the Hajongs?

Answer: Sipnibana

Explanation: The 'sipnibana' loom is specifically noted as being operated solely by hand among the Hajongs.

Return to Game

Which of the following materials is NOT typically used for traditional Hajong ornaments?

Answer: Iron

Explanation: Traditional Hajong ornaments are crafted from silver, gold, ivory, coral, and conch shells; iron is not typically listed among these materials.

Return to Game

What are the 'Galahicha' and 'Chondrohar' in the context of Hajong culture?

Answer: Specific traditional ornaments worn by women

Explanation: The 'Galahicha' and 'Chondrohar' are identified as specific traditional ornaments worn by Hajong women.

Return to Game

What is the unique feature of the traditional Hajong granary, the 'Chang Ghor'?

Answer: It has no doors to prevent the goddess of wealth from leaving.

Explanation: The 'Chang Ghor' is uniquely designed without doors to symbolize the retention of prosperity, preventing the goddess of wealth from departing.

Return to Game

Arts, Festivals, and Religion

The predominant religion among the Hajongs is Buddhism, blended with animistic beliefs.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Hajong populace predominantly adheres to Hinduism, integrated with their indigenous folk religion, rather than Buddhism.

Return to Game

'Birapat-chitâ' are traditional Hajong musical instruments used for ceremonies.

Answer: False

Explanation: 'Birapat-chitâ' refers to traditional Hajong wall paintings created during wedding ceremonies, not musical instruments.

Return to Game

The 'Dhuluk' is a traditional stringed instrument used by the Hajongs.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Dhuluk' is described as a two-ended drum, not a stringed instrument.

Return to Game

'Pusnâ' is a major Hajong festival marking the end of winter and Makar Sankranti.

Answer: True

Explanation: 'Pusnâ' is indeed a significant Hajong festival that marks the conclusion of winter and coincides with Makar Sankranti.

Return to Game

The 'Chorkhila' festival involves idol worship and is celebrated indoors.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Chorkhila' festival involves music and singing, functioning as a social event, and there is no mention of idol worship or indoor celebration; 'Bastu pujâ' is noted for not involving idol worship.

Return to Game

The 'Bastu pujâ' festival traditionally includes the sacrifice of tortoises and pigeons.

Answer: True

Explanation: 'Bastu pujâ' is a traditional Hajong festival that includes the sacrifice of tortoises and pigeons.

Return to Game

Which statement best describes the religious practices of the Hajong people?

Answer: They are predominantly Hindu, with a syncretic blend of folk religion.

Explanation: The Hajong populace predominantly adheres to Hinduism, integrated with their indigenous folk religion, forming a syncretic blend.

Return to Game

What are 'Birapat-chitâ' in Hajong culture?

Answer: Wall paintings created during weddings

Explanation: 'Birapat-chitâ' refers to traditional Hajong wall paintings executed during wedding ceremonies.

Return to Game

Which instrument is described as a two-ended drum used by the Hajongs?

Answer: Dhuluk

Explanation: The 'Dhuluk' is identified as a traditional two-ended drum utilized by the Hajong people.

Return to Game

The Hajong festival 'Pusnâ' is celebrated around the time of which major Hindu festival?

Answer: Makar Sankranti

Explanation: 'Pusnâ' is a major Hajong festival that marks the end of winter and coincides with Makar Sankranti.

Return to Game

What is the primary characteristic of the 'Bastu pujâ' festival?

Answer: It includes sacrifices but no idol worship.

Explanation: The 'Bastu pujâ' festival is characterized by the sacrifice of tortoises and pigeons, and notably does not involve idol worship.

Return to Game

How does the 'Chorkhila' festival contribute to Hajong social life?

Answer: It serves as a matchmaking opportunity through music and singing.

Explanation: The 'Chorkhila' festival functions as a significant social event, offering opportunities for observing and identifying prospective marital partners through communal music and singing.

Return to Game

Historical Developments and Community Initiatives

The Kshatriya Sanmelan organized in 1939 aimed to promote the Hajong community's welfare and customs.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Kshatriya Sanmelan, convened in 1939, was established with the objectives of advancing community welfare and reinforcing adherence to traditional customs.

Return to Game

What was the primary goal of the Kshatriya Sanmelan held by the Hajongs in 1939?

Answer: To promote community welfare and traditional practices

Explanation: The Kshatriya Sanmelan convened in 1939 aimed to advance community welfare and reinforce the observance of traditional customs and practices.

Return to Game