The best part about Assam is how it is settled within the lap of nature. This state of India is already popular for its tea, silk, and the majestic Brahmaputra River. The rich culture, vibrant wildlife sanctuaries, and serene atmosphere make it a true gem of Northeast India. But today, in this blog, we will discover the traditional dress of Assam.Before you dive in to learn about their beautiful cultural couture, let’s know more about the state. Here we go,
Land of Culture: Assam
Assam is one of the Seven Sisters of India. It is a state which has deep cultural roots and has an abundance of natural beauty to offer. From scenic beauty to thriving forests, and delicious food one can find everything. However, the traditions, language and dresses make this state truly diverse in every sense. Several races like Indo-Iranian, Mongolian, Indo-Burmese and Aryan are still present in Assam. It is also home to some exotic tribes such as Miri, Bodo, Dimasa, Karbi, Mishing and Kachari. Each of these communities has its traditional dresses, which share their history, ancestral beliefs, and culture. Read ahead to learn more about the traditional dress of Assam.
Traditional Dress of Assam for Men
The traditional dress of Assam for men is known as Dhoti and Gamosa. Dhoti covers the lower half of the body covering the waist and legs like a trouser. It is also a part of Indian Traditional dress. Wearing a dhoti is not easy but it is very comfortable and light to wear. On the other side, Gamosa covers the upper half of the body. It is a loose rectangular piece of cloth that represents the culture of Assam. Gamosa means a cloth to wipe the body. The cloth looks unique due to its white color and red artistic border. Three sides are covered with a red border design while one has woven motifs on it. Gamosa is also used to honour people who have achieved something great. One can also transform Gamosa into a waistcoat, known as Tongali. It can also be used as a Loincloth by Bihu dancers. Boihu is Assam’s folk dance.
Traditional Dress of Assam for Women
The traditional dress of Assam for women is known as Mekhela Chador. Except for children it is worn by women of all ages. It is a two-piece garment. One long piece of cloth is draped from the waist downwards, folded into pleats and tucked in. This piece is known as Mekhela.
A Chador is worn on the upper part of the body. It is also a long piece of cloth with one end tucked into the Mekhela and the rest is wrapped elegantly around the body. Chador is worn with triangular folds—an art that can be mastered with practice only.
Many other tribes in Assam have their traditional dress. They have their own culture, traditions, and lifestyle. Let’s explore some of them as well.
Traditional Dress of Assam as per Different Tribes
Here are some of the most popular tribal dresses of Assam:
1. The Dimasa Tribe
Women of this tribe wear a dress similar to Mekhela Chador. But the catch is the Rigu is a more standard piece of clothing here. A Rigu is a long piece of cloth worn from the waist down and it reaches up to the ankles. One unique Rigu that reaches only to the ankles and has one deisgn on the whole piece of cloth is known as Bathormai. It is mostly worn during the summer season. Another popular dress worn by women is Rijamphain. It is white and worn from the chest to the knees.
The traditional dress of Assam for this tribe’s men is a Sgaopha or a Phagri. It is a turban worn on the head as a symbol of pride. It is usually yellow or green but for special occasions, it is white with a red thread tied below the chin. They also wear a little muffler known as Rigdo. On their lower body, they wear Risha and Gainthao. Both of these are dhotis of different lengths; Risha is up to the knee while Gaintho is up to the ankles.
2. The Bodo Tribe
The Bodo tribe men wear Gamosa which covers their lower body. They keep their upper half bare. However, with the changing times, they now wear shirts. Their footwear is unique as it is made of wood, known as Khorom.
Women of this tribe wear Dokhna. It is a dress-like cloth, that wraps around their body. It is usually tight, wrapped only once and tied around the waist. Dokhna is made using bright colours, patterns, and Agor. However, a Dokhna without an Agor is considered a bridal dress.
3. The Mishing Tribe
The special quality of this tribe is they dress Assam as a whole. The men wear is called a Gonru Ugon. It is a dhoti worm from the waist down. To cover the upper half of the body they wear Mibu Galuk. It looks like a shirt.
Women wear a simple dress similar to Mekhela Chador, also known as Yakan Age-Gasar. It is usually black. They also wear colourful dresses. Her bright colour blouses are more common and worn on special occasions like marriage.
4. The Rabha Tribe
The men of the tribe wear Dhoti and Gamosa like the traditional dress of Assam. But the women have an amazing dressing style. The women wear Koum Kontong. It looks similar to a skirt wrapped around their waist. These skirt-like dresses have beautiful patterns.
Another dress worn by women of this tribe is known as Kambang. It is used to cover the upper half of the body. They hold both the pieces together using a beautiful waist belt. It is also known as a cummerbund, made of beautiful sea shells and pearls. These belts are known as Labok.
Conclusion
Don’t you think the North East of India is a treasure full of culture, traditions, nature’s beauty and many other things? Well, if you witness any of the above-mentioned traditional dresses of Assam, don’t forget to praise the beauty and elegance they carry. Isn’t the traditional dress of Assam amazing? Well, there are still several tribes whose tribal wear was not covered. But stay tuned to get all the updates on our blogs!
