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Origin and Ancestry
Ancestral Roots
The Hajong people are recognized as belonging to the Bodo-Kachari group of tribes. Historical accounts and traditional beliefs suggest their ancestors migrated from Tibet into the Brahmaputra Valley in ancient times. Their ancestral homeland is believed to be in the Hajo region of present-day Kamrup District, Assam, leading to the interpretation of 'Hajong' as 'descendants of Hajo'.
Legends and Lineage
A significant legend posits that twelve thousand Hajongs fled Hajo, settling in the northern foothills of the Garo Hills. This migration narrative is echoed in numerous folktales. Tradition holds that the Hajongs are descendants of the Sun god (Surjodyao or Bila), identifying them as Suryawanshi Kshatriyas. To uphold their traditions and community welfare, the Hajongs organized a Kshatriya Sanmelan in 1939.
Geographical Distribution
Population Distribution
The Hajong community is primarily situated across Northeast India and the northern regions of Bangladesh. While the majority of the population resides in India, a significant presence is also noted in Bangladesh, particularly in its northern districts.
Presence in India
Within India, Hajongs are predominantly found in the Garo Hills and Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, especially along the border of the South-West Garo Hills District. They also inhabit districts in lower Assam, such as Dhubri and Goalpara, and extend into upper Assam and parts of Arunachal Pradesh.
Presence in Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, the Hajong community is concentrated in the northern Dhaka division. Their historical settlements form a continuous strip along the border, stretching from Sherpur district in the west to Sunamganj district in the east, marking the southern extent of their traditional community presence.
Language and Linguistics
Linguistic Classification
Hajong is classified as an Indo-Aryan language, exhibiting similarities with Assamese and Bengali. However, it retains certain grammatical features, particularly in case marking, that suggest connections to Tibeto-Burman languages. It is believed that the Hajong language may have originally been Tibeto-Burman, subsequently undergoing significant relexification by Old Bengali.
Script and Phonology
The language is written using the Eastern Nagari script. It incorporates numerous Sanskrit loanwords. Phonologically, Hajong is notable for possessing a vowel sound /\u026f/, which is characteristic of the Tibeto-Burman family but not typically found in other Indo-Aryan languages. Its phonology includes 23 consonant phonemes and 8 vowel phonemes.
Traditional Clothing
Weaving Heritage
The Hajong are renowned for their intricate weaving and handicrafts, a tradition passed down through generations. Weaving is a significant household activity, particularly for women, who traditionally weave their own attire and that of their families. Proficiency in weaving was historically considered a prerequisite for marriage, though this custom is less strictly observed today due to modern influences.
Women's Attire
Hajong women primarily wear the pathin, a wrap-around skirt that covers the body from the bust to the calf or ankle. The pathin features horizontal stripes, with colors and patterns varying based on the wearer's age and status. Young women often wear the brightly striped red rangapathin, while middle-aged women may prefer shades of green. The Argon is a traditional brocaded shawl worn for warmth during winter.
Men's Attire
Men typically wear the ningti or bhij\u00e2 kapur, a garment fashioned like a dhoti. For warmth, men use the Argon shawl, similar to women. The kompes, a brocaded scarf, is worn by men around the neck and is also utilized by women to tie their waists. The traditional shirt worn by men is known as the buksuli.
Social Divisions and Kinship
Clan Structures
Historically, the Hajongs were organized into six patrilineal clans, named after their leaders, though this system is now largely obsolete. More enduring structures include matrilineal clans, known as nikni, which governed marriage exogamy. Additionally, geographical divisions, termed jwar, exist, with each associated with distinct dialects of the Hajong language.
Matrilineal 'Nikni'
The nikni system dictated that marriage should not occur between individuals of the same clan. This matrilineal structure emphasized kinship ties and was crucial for maintaining social order and preventing marriages within close familial lines. Awareness of one's nikni was considered essential for social propriety.
Patrilineal 'Daidi'
Complementing the nikni system, the daidi (or daigi) system refers to patrilineal kinship. This involved observing specific customs related to familial relations through the father's line, including periods of ritual pollution and purification upon the death of a relative within the daidi group. Marriage proposals were also scrutinized to ensure no daidi relationship existed between the families.
Geographical 'Jwar'
The Hajong community is further segmented into five geographical clans, or jwar. These divisions are named after historical areas in the foothills and plains of Garo Hills. Notably, the Barohajari clan derives its name from the area where the legendary twelve thousand Hajongs first settled. Each jwar is associated with a unique dialect of the Hajong language.
Religion and Beliefs
Syncretic Hinduism
The Hajong people are predominantly followers of Hinduism. Their religious practices represent a syncretic blend, integrating elements of their traditional animistic beliefs with mainstream Hindu customs. This fusion is so profound that it is often challenging to distinguish between the original folk religion and adopted Hindu practices.
Religious Sections
Within the Hajong community, two main sections are recognized: the Khatal and the Hajong. A key distinction is the Khatal prohibition of rice beer. The Khatal section is further divided into Bastom (priestly class, equivalent to Brahmins) and Khutri (warrior class, equivalent to Kshatriyas). The Hajong section adheres more closely to traditional practices, while the Khutri follow the Hindu Gotra system. Social outcasts belong to the Dirka class.
Marriage Customs
Marital Practices
The Hajong are an endogamous community, meaning marriage outside the tribe is rare and generally forbidden. Monogamy is the prevailing form of marriage, although polygyny is not strictly prohibited but is uncommon. Marriages are typically arranged through negotiation between families.
Societal Evolution
Historically, Hajong society exhibited matriarchal tendencies. However, with the increasing influence of Hinduism, there has been a gradual shift towards a more patriarchal social structure. Despite this, traditions allowing for romantic love and the remarriage of widows are still maintained.
Economic Aspects
Unlike some cultures, the Hajong society traditionally did not practice dowry. Instead, a modest bride price, known as pon or khalti, was customary, representing a token of respect and commitment from the groom's family.
House Patterns
Traditional Dwellings
Hajong houses typically feature earthen plinths and thatched roofs, constructed from materials like bamboo and timber. Walls are often made of split bamboo plastered with cow dung, and floors are earthen. Houses are generally arranged around a central courtyard, which serves multiple purposes, including religious rites and grain threshing.
Household Structures
A typical Hajong household complex includes several distinct buildings: the main dwelling and dining hall (Bhat ghor or m\u00e2ij\u00e2 ghor), a separate kitchen (Akhli ghor), a dormitory for guests or married sons/daughters (Kasri ghor or Khupra ghor), a granary (Chang ghor), a husking house (Dhiki ghor), a cattle shed (Guli ghor), and a shrine for household deities (Dyao ghor).
Food Habits
Staple Diet
The staple food for the Hajong people is rice, typically consumed with lentils and various vegetables. This forms the basis of their daily meals.
Special Occasions
For special occasions and festivals, rice is transformed into various forms, such as finely ground rice powder used to make steamed or fried rice cakes known as pith\u00e2. Tortoise meat is traditionally considered a favorite delicacy.
Traditional Dishes
The Hajong cuisine includes a variety of unique dishes prepared using traditional methods and ingredients. Notable preparations include Dingpura (sweet rice cooked in bamboo), Libahak (dishes made with ground rice), Bukni Bhat (fermented rice), Bisi Bhat (steamed sticky rice), Bh\u00e2tuwahak (rice flour and fermented fish), Put\u00e2mas (small fish steamed in banana leaves), Chuns\u00e2hak (vegetables boiled with dried fish and soda), Tupla Bhat (rice cooked in banana leaves), and Chung\u00e2hak (dishes cooked in bamboo).
Artistic Expressions
Wall Paintings
Hajong art includes Birapat-chit\u00e2, which are wall paintings created by airos during wedding ceremonies. These paintings, also known as Chan Bila Akawa, depict motifs such as the Sun, Moon, stars, birds, boats, and palanquins, rendered using rice powder, vermilion, and kohl.
Ceremonial and Folk Art
Artistic creations are also central to festivals like Maroi Puj\u00e2, where Merr is prepared, featuring paintings of deities and auspicious objects for the worship of the serpent goddess Kani Diyao. Intricate paper cuttings, often hung during weddings and festive occasions, represent another significant form of Hajong folk art.
Music and Instruments
Traditional Melodies
The traditional music of the Hajong encompasses various forms, including git\u00e2lu gahen and gupni gahen. Songs related to agricultural cycles and religious rituals are also integral to their musical heritage.
Musical Instruments
Hajong musical traditions are accompanied by a range of traditional instruments. These include percussion instruments like the Dhuluk (drum) and Dhapa kurtal (large cymbals); wind instruments such as the Basi (flute); string instruments like the Dutra and Hurindo (fiddle); and unique instruments like the Hamuktal (made from apple snail shells) and the Gugna (a lamellophone made from bamboo).
Festivals and Celebrations
Key Festivals
Pusn\u00e2, celebrated around Makar Sankranti, marks the end of winter and involves week-long feasts. The Hajongs also observe major Hindu festivals like Durga Puja and Kamakhya Puja. Their pre-monsoon harvest festival is known as 'Bisw\u00e2'.
Traditional Rituals
Traditional rituals are performed by a Dyushi or Nungtang (shaman). Bastu puj\u00e2 is a significant traditional festival celebrated without idol worship, involving sacrifices of tortoises and pigeons for Bastu dyao. Other rituals include Kani puj\u00e2 and K\u00e2tk\u00e2 puj\u00e2, observed at the end of the months of Srabon and Kati, respectively.
Community Celebrations
The festival of Chorkhila (or Chormaga in Mymensingh), celebrated in October, involves groups performing music and songs, often recounting tales from the Ramayana. This event serves as a social gathering and an opportunity for matchmaking. The day of Sharad Purnima is recognized as Kuj\u00e2i Ghor among the Hajongs.
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References
References
- Kinny, E. and I. Zeliang. (2005). A Sociolinguistic survey among the Hajong of India. Unpublished manuscript.
- Hajong, B. (2002). The Hajongs and their struggle. Assam, Janata Press. Foreword(2) by Satyendra Narayan Goswami 2001.
- Guts, Y. (2007). Phonological description of the Hajong language. Masters Thesis. Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit; p 59.
- Biren Hajong & Sushmita Hajong (2002), The Hajongs and their Struggle, Assam, Janata Press.
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