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River Division

River Division

The Division of the Deoris of Assam

THE DIVISION OF THE DEORIS OF ASSAM

 

GUPTAJIT PATHAK

Lecturer, Department of History Kanya Mahavidyalaya,

 Gitanagar,  Guwahati-21,

Assam, INDIA

Mobile :  +91 99548-85175

E-mail : guptajitpathak@yahoo.com

 

 

  

 

Almost all the tribes both hill tribes and plan tribes living in different districts of Assam have small or broad divisions (khels) among them. The Deoris are also no exception to this. They have four broad divisions which are (i) Dibangiya, (ii) Tengapaniya, (iii) Borgoyan and (iv) Patorgoyan. The Derois term the division as "Gayan" (Khel). Each of the division originated its name either from, the name of a particular river or a place. The separate groups of  the Deoris did not settle on the bank of the same river only. They lived on the banks on the river Dibang, Tengapani and Borpani or Borgang for which they were known as Dibangiya. Tengapaniya and Borgang respectively.1 The Patorgoyan group of the Deoris lived in Patsadiya or Middle Sadiya for which they were so named. At that time Kundil Kingdom or Sadiya region was divided into three  parts namely-

(i) the eastern part of the river Kundil (ii) the southern part of the river Lohit i.e. the region of the basin of the river Tengapani and the Na-Dihing and (iii) Middle Sadiya, i.e. the region which was in the midst of the three rivers as the Dihing, the Kundil and the Lohit.2

 

            According to the Census Report of 1881, there are 12 clans among the Deoris. They are-

(i) Airio                        (ii) Sundari

(iii) Patri                       (iv) Seitiga

(v) Mora                      (vi) Tehario

(vii) Komota                 (viii) Legaso

(ix) Lupai                      (x) Kuma

(xi) Koliassoko (xii) Sukrang

            These twelve clans of the Deoris actually include the twelve clans of the Dibongiya group of the Deoris. So the list is neither complete nor wholly correct.  In this regard the list of the clans of the Deoris given in his book "Deori Sanskriti" by Dombarudhar Deori is more dependable. According to him, the Debongiyas have twelve major clans, and the Tengapaniyans and Borgayans have seven and six major clans respectively. 3 However, each of the four divisions of the Deoris has a number of exogamous clans which are popularly called "Bangsha" or "Jaku".

                                                                                                                                                                                               

(1) The Dibangiyas :  The Dibangiyas settled on the bank of the rover Dibang. They may be considered as the main division of the Deoris. In Deori language they are also called "Jamocharu". Paban Chandra Saikia has termed the Dibangias as one of the territorial groups of the Deori Chutias of Assam. He has mentioned that the Dibangiyas seem to have preserved the traditional Chutia socio-ritual organization. In his words "the Borgoyan and the Tengapaniya groups have altogether given up their traditional dialect in favour of Assamese. …..The Dibongiyas, on the other hand, have, as far as possible, preserved their traditional socio-ritual organization alongwith with their dialect".4

            The Dibongiyas worship Gira Girachi (Bura-Buri) i.e. Siva and Parbati. In addition to it, they worship all the members of the family of Gira Girachi. The major clans of the Dibangiyas are as under –

 

1. Sundario (Bordeori) 

2. Patriyo (Saru Deori)

3. Airiyo (Bharali)

4. Chario (Bora)

5. Chitigayo

6. Kumotayo

7. Chukrangyo (Bhograndhani)

8. Dupiyayo

9. Murangyo

10. Teliyayo

11. Lagachuyo and

12. Kalia-chakuyo 5

            Moreover, many sub-clans have originated from the clans (Bangsho or Jaku) of the Dibangiyas. For example, many sub-clans as Meheda Baza, Kechera Baza, Kumar Baza, Jikaliya Baza, Madala Baza and Papariya Baza etc. have originated from the main Airiyo clan. Again, from the other main clan some sub-clans like Tilabaliya Baza, Gahaiyo Baza, Kachari Baza and Miccha Baza etc have originated. 6

            The "Jaku" plays an important part in different spheres of the social life of the DIbangiyas. In this regard Paban Chandra Saikia writes "its role in the sphere of marital life of the individuals and in selecting the functionaries of the Priestly Council is most significant." He further states that the Dibangiya group of the Deoris originally consisted of two principal clans only: viz Sundariyo and Airiyo which is course of time multiplied into Sundariyo, Patriyo, Chariyo and Chitigayo and so on.7

 

(2) The Tengapaniyas : The Tengapaniya group of the Deoris ruled in a vast area establishing temple or capital on the bank of the river Tengapani. The Tengapanins are sub-divided into seven clans, namely- (i) Machiotika, (Bardeori) (ii) Bikarmiyatika (Saru Deori) (iii) Kutiyatika (Bharali) (iv) Chakucharutika (v) Pagimegeratika (vi) Papariatika and (vii) Chenaboriatika.8  The Tengapaniyas division of the Deoris worship Boliya Baba or Boliya Hemtak who is the eldest sun of Kundigiri.

 

            The Burnk clan of the Tengapaniya division or khel of the Deori is a class of people who does not take mutton. It is stated that in olden days their forefathers were immortal. Nobody of the clan died as a result of which the people of the same were deprived of enjoying feast. So once some people killed one goat and covered it like the dead body of some aged person and at last cremated the same on the burial place.  After the cremation being over they arranged a feast and enjoyed it much. From that day onward they used to consider goat as their grand father.9

 

(3) The Borgoyans :  The Borgoyan division of the Deoris lived on the bank of the river Borpani or Boranga. The living place of the  Borgoyans was bounded on the north by the Mishimi Hills, on the south by the river Lohit, on the east by Agari of Tezu extending upto Parasuramkunda and on the west by the Kundil river.10 The Borgayan worship Kundigiri's eldest daughter Pichaci Demachi. At present she is popularly known as Kechaikhaiti or Tamreswari or Tamarmai. The main centre of worshipping of the Borgangs was on the bank of the river Digaro of the present day.

            It is said that Baronga was a very large Deori village having "Nakuri Jakhalas" i.e. one hundred  eighty Jakhalas or ladders for which it was called Borgaon or Boranga. However, the nearby Borpani river is now covered with thick and deep forests.11

            The Borgaon division of the Deoris is also known as "Midiya". This division has some clans. The major clans of this division are (i) Ikuchari (Bordeuri) (ii) Chimuchuru (Saru Deori) (iii) Hizaru (Barbharali) (iv) Busaru-Balimara (v) Lupharu (Bora) and (vi) Gosaru (Not traceable now). 12

            Apart from the clans mentioned in the major three divisions of the Deori as Dibangiya, the Tengapaniya and the Borgaon, there are also some minor clans which are seen in the Deori society. They are Kachariyo, Michayo, Bihiyayo, Dihingiyayo and so on. Properly speaking, these clans do not belong to the Deori community but they are said to be inducted to the same either from their respective tribes name or title.13

 

(4) The Patargoyan:  The Patargoyan division of the Deoris lived in Patsadiya or Middle Sadiya. At present no trace of this division can be found out anywhere. However, it is presumed that those who were in Sadiya, they might amalgamated with the people of the Dibongiya and Borgoyan groups of the Deoris.14  There is a saying that the people from this division became "King" and "Nayaka" in the past who had already left Sadiya moving westwards.

            Some of the thinkers opine that the people of Patorgayan division of this Deoris might have amalgamated with the Lalungs (Tiwas), living in some places as Nagaon, Morigaon and Kaliabar. The Deoris believe that the Lalungs of said places bearing the titles Deori and Pator belonged to the Patorgoyan division of Deoris.15

            The Deoris and the Lalungs are two complete different tribes of Assam. Despite the same they have some similarities between the two tribes. It is a fact that there are some clans who bear the name of Deori, Pator and Bharali etc. till the day for which we may come to the conclusion that the patorgoyan division of the Deoris has great similarity with the great Lalung community.

            Further, some researchers and scholars have clamed that the Patorgayan division of Deoris might have amalgamated with the Jayantias of Khasis or vice-versa. Dr. Hamlet Bareh has aptly remarked "It may be even relevant to suggest that a family groups of Pator and Chutiya tribes were absorbed into widespread Khasi population through inter-marriages and other interrelations."     

            The place where the Patorgayan worship was called Patorsal. In fact here at this place all the Deoris worshipped their adorable gods and goddesses. It is important to note that from the past up to this day this Patorsal has become the controlling centre of the Deoris of Sadiya in case of their worships. All the people of the four divisions of the Deoris worship their worship able gods and goddesses at Patorsal as they assemble there.

            History also makes the fact clear that there are some family groups of the Pator bearing the title name or office bearers of Pator in the hill-top of Khasi-Jayantia. It is also confirmed that the Patorgoyan division of the Deoris had established the "Gobha Rajya" of the Lalungs (Tiwas) in the past. 17

            Basically, the Deoris are the inhabitants of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.  It has already been mentioned that they are specially living in the eight districts of Assam as Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat, Sonitpur and Kamrup on the one hand and four districts of Arunachal Pradesh as Lohit, Changlang, Tirap and Itanagar on the other. It has also been mentioned that their population are gradually increasing. It is clear to us from the Census Reports prepared by the Government of India. According to the 1991 Census the total population of Deoris are 35,849 only. But the Deori do not accept the Government Census Report to be a correct one and so conduct the Census independently. According to their report the total population of Assam are 2,17,083 on the one hand and that of Arunachal Pradesh are 35,000, the grand total of the two states being 2,52,063.18

 

1 Deori, Dambarudhar, (1964) p.15. "Deori Sanskriti", Ram Rajabari Panidihing, Sibasagar.

2 Deori,Sashidhar, (2009) p.191. Article-"Deori Janagosthi Aru Jibondhara"-published in Asamar Janagosthi-Ati Parichaya (ed.) by Dr. Basanta Kumar Doley.

3 Deori,Dambarudhar, (2009) p.15-16. "Deori Sanskriti", Ram Rajabari Panidihing, Sibasagar.

4 Saikia,Paban Chandra, (1976)  pp.1-2. The Dibongias.

5 Deori,Dambarudhar, (1964) p. 15. "Deori Sanskriti", Ram Rajabari Panidihing, Sibasagar.

6 Deori,Sashidhar, (2009) p. 191. -"Deori Janagosthi Aru Jibondhara"-published in Asamar Janagosthi-Ati Parichaya (ed.) by Dr. Basanta Kumar Doley.

7 Saikia, Paban Chandra, (1976) p.82-83. The Dibongiyas

8 Deori,Dambarudhar, (1964) p. 15. "Deori Sanskriti", Ram Rajabari Panidihing, Sibasagar.

9 Deori,Saranan, (2002) p.28, Religious Practices of the Deoris, Bina Library, College Hostel Road, Guwahati-1, Assam.

10Deori,Sashidhar, (2009) p. 192. –Article "Deori Janagosthi Aru Jibondhara"-published in Asamar Janagosthi-Ati Parichaya (ed.) by Dr. Basanta Kumar Doley.

11 Deori,Dambarudhar, (1964) p. 15. "Deori Sanskriti", Ram Rajabari Panidihing, Sibasagar. Deori Saranan, (2002) p. 25. "Religious Practices of the Deoris", Bina Library, College Hostel Road, Guwahati-1, Assam.

12 Deori,Dambarudhar, (1964) p. 16. "Deori Sanskriti", Ram Rajabari Panidihing, Sibasagar. Deori,Sashidhar, (2009) p. 192. – Article "Deori Janagosthi Aru Jibondhara"-published in Asamar Janagosthi-Ati Parichaya (ed.) by Dr. Basanta Kumar. Deori,Saranan, (2002) p.38, Religious Practices of the Deoris, Bina Library, College Hostel Road, Guwahati-1, Assam.

13 Deori, Saranan, (2002) p. 28. Religious Practices of the Deoris, Bina Library, College Hostel Road, Guwahati-1, Assam.

14 Deori,Dambarudhar, (1964) p. 16. Deori Sanskriti, Ram Rajabari Panidihing, Sibasagar.

15 Deori,Sashidhar, (2005) p. 35 -"Deori Samaj Aru Sanskriti" Pratham Bhag, Na-kari, Uttar Lakhimpur (Assam).

16 Deori,Sashidhar, (2009) p.192. Article-"Deori Janagosthi aru Jibondhara"-published in Asamar Janagosthi-Ati Parichaya (ed.) by Dr. Basanta Kumar Doley.

17 Deori, Saranan, (2002) p. 30. "Religious Practices of the Deoris", Bina Library, College Hostel Road, Guwahati-1, Assam.

18 Deori,Sashidhar, (2009) p. 192-193 - Article "Deori Janagosthi Aru Jibondhara"-published in Asamar Janagosthi-Ati Parichaya (ed.) by Dr. Basanta Kumar Doley

 

About the Author

GUPTAJIT PATHAK

Lecturer, Department of History, Kanya Mahavidyalaya,

 Gitanagar,  Guwahati-21,

Assam, INDIA

Mobile :  +91 99548-85175

E-mail : guptajitpathak@yahoo.com

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PRR Railfanning on the Schuylkill River Division