Customs and beliefs have always been an integral part of any society for they have held society in cohesive bonds of togetherness, although superstitions have a lot to do with their evolutions. The worship of the tree and fire have always held significance within the Indian parameters, and Assamese society cannot be said to be an exception. Traditionally rice husk and cow-dung have been burnt in a brazier be-side the bed of a new mother to ward off evil spirits. In general, it is believed that mustard seeds sputtered in fire can ward off ghosts. As regards trees, namely – the Banyan, Peepul, Kadam, Bel (wood apple) and Tulsi are considered sacred. The leaves of Neem tree are considered to possess medicinal properties. That is why if anyone tontacts pox, neem leaves are used for bathing the patient.
The Siju tree if planted near a house prevents lightening, holds storm from striking the house. The bamboo tree is considered to be a dwelling house for ghosts. That is why this tree is not cut on certain days like Tuesday, Saturday or at night because it is believed that doing so will bring misfortune to the family. The stone is also considered to be sacred by the Assamese people. It is a custom for men to warm hands by the fire, standing on a stone to purify themselves when they return home after attending a cremation. The stone is used at the other end of the spectrum, when a baby is taken out in the sun for the first time, he is laid on a wooden platform and a stone is struck on one corner of the platform to herald good fortune to the child.
Snake worship is an integral part of Assamese culture. There are many folk tales associated with snakes. One is not supposed to mention the name ‘snake’ at night. Instead a euphemism is used for it. The cobra is believed to be the guardian of the granary, courtyard, vegetable garden, wealth etc. That is why it is forbidden to kill the cobra. If a person dies from snake bite, then it is customary to bury the body and not cremate it.
The lizard has also been associated with many beliefs. A lizard falling on a person defines good or bad omens according to the place where it falls. A person’s telling the truth is defined by a lizard emitting a sound simultaneously. The cat is not exactly assigned a high place in the structure of beliefs. It’s crossing one’s path is believed to bring bad luck. The black cat is seen to be an embodiment of evil spirits or ghosts. That is why it is forbidden to kill cats, for doing so will enjoin upon the person to donate a cat made of gold.
On the other hand the fish is a symbol of fertility. Be it religious ceremonies or weddings, the inclusion of fish is a must. In weddings, on the day of Joran, which is the first step of a wedding, it is customary to send fish along with the ornaments and clothing. Then again when the bride visits her mother’s place for the first time with her husband, fish assumes an important part of the delicacies sarved. Fish is distributed if a couple is blessed with a son. It again is the non-vegetarian item consumed after the Shraddha (respectful offering to the departed soul) ceremony of a deceased person. This particular fish preparation is called Masua in common parlance. Some kinds of fish are associated with curative properties.
There are certain rituals observed in the villages when people go out for fishing. Equipments made of bamboo used for fishing like Jakoi, Juluki, Polo, Chepa, Khoka, Khaloi etc. are beaten with a bamboo broom. The equipments are also spit into thrice so that a good catch is ensured. Dreaming of fish is believed to augur either an impending marriage or the birth of a child. It is also equated with feminine beauty. Thus fish is .a very important part of Assamese culture and folklore. Birds are also associated with good or bad luck and our beliefs. For example, if a crow sits on the roof of a home and claws, then it is supposed to indicate the arrival of a guest. But many crows doing the same does not bode well. An owl- hooting in the dead of the night signifies either a death in the family or bad times for the country. On the opposite end a peacock is reserved as good fortune for it is the ornament of Lord Krishna, it is the vehicle of Lord Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva.
Rice is not only a food article, but it is also customarily used on various occasions. When a girl leaves her home as a bride, she throws a handful of rice backwards so that Goddess Lakshmi never abandons the bride’s paternal house. Agriculture is the backbone of Assam’s economy.
Therefore the equipment used for farming are used after observing certain rituals. Then if a death occurs in a family, it is mandatory that the person who cremates the body and takes on the responsibility of performing the Shraddha of the deceased keeps an iron knife with him. Similarly when a baby is born a knife is kept under the mother’s bed to protect the child from evil influence. Even a couple about to get married keeps a knife with them until the marriage is solemnised. Dreams also have special significance for Assamese people. When in a dream a tooth from the upper row of teeth is seen to have fallen, it signifies the death of an elderly member of the family and the falling of a tooth from the lower row of teeth portends the death of a younger member in the family. In dreams, death of a family member means the death of someone else and vice versa. Particular days of a year are considered auspicious or inauspicious. That is why in days considered inauspicious, things like making a boat, buying a cow, solemnising marriages or travelling are not carried out.
Again when a de-ceased person is referred lo in writing, it is customary to write (signifying ‘heavenly’) before the name. There are certain customs to be observed while eat ing. It is not proper to eat something standing on the threshold. It is believed that lending of salt while eating leads to quarrel, tearing of paw) by hand causes severing of relations etc.
An eater is supposed to invite misfortune upon him if he eats food while resting his cheek on his hand. Salt kept on one corner of the plate while eating is a sign of poverty. And a housewife is considered to be devoid of any positive qualities if she creates a clatter on sounds while cooking or arranging the table or washing utensils. A lady cannot enter her own kitchen if she is undergoing her menses. In the family of the deceased non-vegetarian food is not allowed till the Shraddha ceremony is over. There is also auspicious time for stepping out of the house or travelling. If someone calls ‘Where are you going?’ etc. from behind, then the trip is bound to be unsuccessful, or so it is believed.
Again, seeing elephant on the way is considered a good sign. A butterfly landing on one’s shoulder denoted that marriage is at hand. Bees entering a house and building a hive on their own accord is considered to be auspicious. Customs and beliefs generally are not based on scientific basis, but they are something which has been handed down since generations, helping to build society into one single unit. However, with the passage of time many such customs and beliefs have vanished but quite a few still persist, accounting for the lifestyle of the people of this particular State.