It was a morning of winter, being a group member of young energetic undergraduate students, I was walking through the lanes of a lesser known village, Nunia Basti-Kuarpar, Cachar, Assam, to collect data, for the fulfilment of my degree in B.Sc. Anthropology Hons.
Though it was my first experience but engaging with the people of the village offered me a rare opportunity to immerse myself in their rich cultural tapestry. From observing their age-old traditions to participating in communal gatherings, every moment felt like a window into the collective identity of the community. Conversations with elders revealed tales of resilience, migration, and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge that forms the backbone of their existence. After seven days of these enchanting ethnographic field experiences, I decided to come back someday and continue my study there. Post M.Sc, I restarted my work in the village and continued to work there for more than a year.
The idea for this book was born from a profound fascination with the intricate tapestry of life that thrives near Bhorakhai tea estate, in the Cachar district. Amidst the sprawling tea gardens, and in the corner of a developing city lies a community of unsung heroes whose resilience, hard work, and cultural richness form an integral part of the socio-cultural identity of southern Assam. Despite being away from their ancestral homes, they preserve their beliefs, practices, traditions, language, and rituals. Through festivals, music, dance, and cuisine, they celebrate their identity and find solace in each other’s company, forming bonds that transcend the boundaries of caste, creed, and ethnicity.
Within these pages, we embark on a journey that transcends the lives, customs, and challenges faced by the individuals who once upon a time migrated to this place. Since Nunia people were given land to this place, they had to struggle a lot for clean drinking water. In regions grappling with water scarcity, communities often develop intricate folk beliefs surrounding water, imbued with practical wisdom and spiritual significance. These beliefs not only reflect the harsh realities of their environment but also serve as a cultural repository of knowledge passed down through generations. Here, we delve into the folk beliefs of a community residing in a water-scarce area, shedding light on their unique relationship with this precious resource. Embedded within these beliefs and practices are centuries of wisdom and survival strategies passed down through oral traditions, shaping the community’s attitudes and behaviors towards water conservation and management. This book unveils man nature relationship with special focus on this community.
Through meticulous fieldwork and immersive engagement, this ethnographic study seeks to unravel the intricate layers of this community’s lesser-known existence in this region, as each aspect of their daily life reflects a nuanced interplay of tradition and modernity.
Moreover, this exploration ventures beyond the superficial to address the complex socio-economic dynamics that underpin the community’s identity.
Importantly, this book is not merely an academic exercise but a testament to common readers, to identify the voices and experiences, allowing readers to forge a deeper connection with the lives depicted within.
May this book serve as a bridge of understanding, fostering appreciation for the richness of their heritage and the complexities of their lived realities.
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