top of page
10873535_817299295008276_1279296596635352804_o.jpeg

Bathouism

Bathou is an ethnic religion practiced by the Boros, an ethnic tribal community from Assam, India. Today Boros have accepted different versions of Hinduism or Christianity over time. In Boro, the name "Bathou" means "five principles," signifying the elements of air, fire, earth, water, and ether. These five key principles are thought to have been created by Bathoubwrai, the supreme deity. Bathouism, unlike several religions, has no documented religious books or temples. The worship of the sijou plant, considered the living embodiment of Bathoubwrai, is a unique aspect of Boros' religious rites. Bathouism families traditionally plant a sijou shrub in the northeast corner of their courtyard, forming an altar known as "sijousali."

​

While lesser deities exist in Bathouism, Bathoubwrai is worshipped as the Supreme God, despite being unseen. Eighteen pairs of posts, signifying the eighteen gurus or deities, bear great symbolism within this religious system. These pairs of posts represent the divine married couples of gods and goddesses, which are frequently distinguished by the suffixes "Bwrai" and "Burwi," which imply husband and wife, respectively. The goddesses or female gurus listed among them are:

​

  1. Mwnsinsin Burwi: She is paired with Mwnsinsin Bwrai and they represent the first human that was created by God. Their name means those who are suitable for all the knowledge and wisdom.

  2. Si Burwi: She is paired with Si Bwrai. The word "Si" means soul and they are the ones who stated the connection between God and humans.

  3. Aham Burwi: She is paired with Aham Bwrai. They are the deities of medicine and upkeep. 

  4. Khuria Burwi: She is paired with Khuria Bwrai, who was the creator of the Kham, drum used in Kherai dance. They are the deities of kham maker and player. 

  5. Eheo Burwi: She is paired with Eheo Bwrai. They performed a traditional dance demonstration for the people while playing musical instruments. Eheo Burwi transforms into Doudini and performs numerous dances in the names of various deities or gurus. 

  6. Mainao Burwi: She is the daughter of Bathoubwrai and she paired with Eheo Bwrai. They are deities of crop and wealth.

  7. Bwlli Burwi: She paired with Bwlli Bwrai. They possess the knowledge of religious possession.

  8. Devi Burwi: She paired with Deva Bwrai. They are the deities of customary law and they purify sins.

  9. Gongar Burwi: She paired with Gongar Bwrai. They guide people through love and affection.

  10. Joumwn Burwi: She paired with Joumwn Bwrai. They introduced the five rites and the disciplinary laws about upholding peace.

  11. Song Burwi: She paired with Song Bwrai. They are the gurus of investigation.

  12. Hasung Burwi: She paired with Hasung Bwrai. They represent the inner mind.

  13. Rajong Burwi: She paired with Rajong Bwrai. They are the deities of handloom and handicraft.

  14. Agrang Burwi: She paired with Agrang Bwrai. They are the deities of handloom and textiles and represent the new lifestyle with the culture of philosophers and meditators.

  15. Hazw Burwi: She paired with Hazw Bwrai. They are the deities of handloom and textiles and represent the new lifestyle with the culture of philosophers and meditators.

  16. Emao Burwi: She paired with Emao Bwrai. They created a special substance called emao, which is used to brew rice beer and has some unique therapeutic benefits.

  17. Mohela Burwi: She paired with Mohela Bwrai, who created jotha (cymbal), a type of musical instrument to support the musical chorus during Kherai dances performed at kheraisali, a site of worship.

  18. Hafao Burwi: She paired with Hafao Bwrai. They are the last gurus who discovered the significance of the five key principles created by Bathoubwrai.

bottom of page