Modernity and Changes in Bodo Culture

Modernity and Changes in Bodo Culture

Author Name : Dr. Rupnath Owary

ABSTRACT

Culture is a unique possession of human society. Culture distinguishes one society from the other. Thus, each society is different from the other. The Bodos are one of the earliest inhabitants of India, particularly of Assam. They have distinct language and culture. They have their own religion, housing pattern, livelihoods, social customs, beliefs, dress and ornaments, furniture and utensils, food habits, musical instruments, festivals etc. However, traditional Bodo culture is changing slowly due to impact of modernity in due course of time. Changes have been visualized both in material and in non-material culture. With the emergence of 19^th century, changes in social outlook of the Bodos can be visualized. The mindset, living style, modes of behavior, morals, values, beliefs, ideologies, political, philosophies, economic etc. are changing slowly. Changes have been observed on house planning and construction, on cultivation, on religion, on hygiene, on livelihood, on traditional diet, on dress, on festivals and so on. Modernity has broadened the world of the Bodos and has brought basic changes in their livelihood as well as cultural life. Today, there are middle class people in their society. They are bureaucrats, teachers, doctors, engineer, nurse, lawyers, police and army officers, pharmacists etc. The outlook and living style of the Bodos is becoming modern as well as global. Today, a section of the Bodos has converted into different religions. The Bodo society has become a multi-religious society and they have learnt to accept pluralistic concept of society. Thus, in Bodo society also we get different surnames like- Brahma, Brahma Choudhuery, Patgiri, Thakhuria, Deuri, Lahary and so on. The factors responsible for cultural changes are may be modern education, Bodo social organizations, christianity, town and semi- town, science and technology, development of communication, the development schemes of the government agency and so on. The study attempts to investigate the impact of modernity on traditional Bodo culture. Further, the study attempts to bring into light the agents as well as causes of the cultural changes. 

Keywords:  Culture, Impact, Modernity and Society