Ritual Hymns and World View of the Totola Rabhas of Kataligaon

Abstract

The Totola Rabhas are a community that has never lived in isolation. They are touched on all sides by other communities and ethnic groups. Therefore, cultural assimilation in the case of the Totola Rabhas is not a new phenomenon. The culture of the Totola Rabhas which is a part of Indo Mongoloid culture has contributed a lot towards the greater Assamese culture. The evolvement of a new cultural identity in the real sense of the term, the Totola Rabhas, overtime is a fact ignored by and unknown to the world. Therefore, it is of utmost necessity to study the folklore of the Totola Rabhas to understand the culture of a community not only least represented but also misunderstood. The Totola Rabhas have a very rich tradition of folklore, which has not at all been explored. They are passed down from generation to generation through word of mouth and in the long run, they have undergone a drastic change due to assimilation with people of other communities. This assimilation has enriched and added to the already existing folklore of the Totola Rabhas. The folk songs and the oral narratives of the Totola Rabhas are indeed unique in their own nature. The songs sung during various occasions are a living tradition of the Totola Rabhas. They are sung during marriages, during work, during worships, during festivals, etc. The Totola Rabhas believe in many Gods and Goddesses and they observe a variety of rituals. One such religious practice of the Totola Rabhas is the worship of Bura Bun Gohai, ie. Old Forest Deity. She is believed to be the Goddess of all things and the prosperity of the village depends entirely on her. It is, therefore, a humble attempt on the part of the Researcher to explore and document the folk songs associated with their traditional religion and belief. This paper is an attempt to explore the ritual hymns and the world view of the Totola Rabhas of Kataligaon.