Religion, Popular Beliefs and Superstitions of Assamese Society

It is evident from the early literatures that Hinduism was the dominant religion in ancient Assam as today. Although Saivism, Saktism, Vaisnavism and some other minor cults consolidated Hinduism, both legend and history point to the fact that Saivism was the most popular form of Hindu religion in early Assam with flavour of non-Aryan beliefs and practices . Such non-Aryan beliefs and practices designated as ‘Kairataja Dharma’ was the religion of the aborigines . In fact, the foundation of Hinduism was laid on the ‘Kairataja’ cults. The existence of countless Siva temples in Assam points to the extensive Siva worship since prehistoric time . Despite prevalence of various cults in the present day Assam, Siva is extensively worshipped by all tribes and non-tribes. Although Aryadharma or Brahmanical religion is traceable to the Vedas, it was introduced in Assam after the non-Aryan tribes had laid the foundation for various cults like cult of fertility, head-hunting, human sacrifice, rites connected with the dead, ancestor worship, belief in heavenly bodies, magic, sorcery etc.   ‘Kalikapurana’ speaks of the settling of large number of Brahmanas by Naraka . This tradition of settling Brahmanas in Assam was continued till the Ahom rule in medieval Assam. These Brahmana settlers used to spread Aryadharma with royal patronage and converted and brought various non-Aryan tribes into the fold of Hinduism. In the tenth century A.D, Goddess Kamakhya emerged as the principal deity for Saktism and Kamarupa became the centre for Saktism and Tantrikism . ‘Kalikapurana’ popularized the ‘Sakti’ and ‘Tantrik’ cult of Kamakhya throughout India . The elements of Tantrikism such as use of magical practices, revolting rites, use of wine, belief in efficacy of mantras, sex worship etc. have non-Aryan affinities . The extensive remains of ‘Vishnu’ temples and archaeological finds of ‘Surya’ or ‘Vishnu’ images in Assam are indicative of ‘Vishnu’ worship and prevalence of ‘Vaisnavism’ in Assam some time in the past ages. ‘Kalikapurana’ describes different incarnations of ‘Vishnu’ . The form of ‘Vaisnavism’ prevalent in Assam prior to the advent of ‘neoVaisnavism’ was ‘Vasudevism’ . Sankardeva, the legendary Vaisnavite reformer introduced and preached ‘neo-Vaisnavism’ . Although Hinduism was the dominant religion of Assam since remote past, Buddhism, Islamism and Christanism were also prevalent in late medieval and medieval Assam in a smaller scale. However, the most important feature of the religious history of ancient and medieval Assam was the process of conversion of various non-Aryan tribes of plains into Hinduism . The stronghold of Hinduism is still noticed in Assam. The followers are now broadly divided into ‘Saktas’ and ‘Vaisnavites’ and at the same time, there are pantheists who are seen to have followed both the cults. A notable feature of Hinduism in Assam is the prevalence of some folk beliefs among the followers. These popular beliefs invoke propitiation of some folk deities. Such folk deities are incorporated in Hindu pantheism . Kamarupa, the ancient Assam was known to the rest of India as the land of sorcery and magic. Aniruddhadeva, the founder of ‘Mayamara’ sub-sect produced a cobra in an empty pitcher by his magics . ‘Kamaratnatantra’ incorporates prescription as to how by incantations and  magical tricks a man can be sub-dued, won over, made hostile, killed and freed from evil influences . The use of spells and incantations for removing venom of snake-bites is still noticed at folk level. Belief in ghosts and spirits and driving them off by applying spell or incantation has crept into the folk life of Assam since medieval age. However, with the spread of modem education at all levels, most of the superstitious beliefs and practices have lost their grounds. Still, the role of astrologers and fortune tellers in day-to-day life of a section of the people is noticed.