QUESTIONS OF KNOWLEDGE AND POWER: CONTESTATIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PERFORMANCE OF DOUDINIS OF THE BODOS OF ASSAM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v5.i1.2024.914Keywords:
Traditions of Doudini, Bodo Tribe, Dance PerformanceAbstract [English]
This research paper attempts to explore the notions of knowledge and power in the traditions of doudini (priestess) of the Bodo tribe of Assam, North-East India. The present paper tries to argue that although a doudini possesses traditional knowledge and supernatural power, she is deprived of the rights to equality and freedom. The doudini through her ritualistic dance performance plays the role of a mediator between the people and the Gods. The raw blood of the sacrificial animals is consumed by her in the Kherai festival, an important ritual of the Bathou religion. She is then charmed by the chants of the priest and falls into a trance and transforms into a spiritual being. The community addresses her as nasoni (dancer) and some as doudini(spirit), depending on the status attributed to her in the particular society. The doudini plays many parts which are presented in a series to the same audience. Though the ritual is performed both by female priest and male priest, their role differs as doudini has to accomplish more performances compared to male priest. The doudini does not have freedom to act on her own as she performs, based on the rules set by the system. The doudini does not enjoy freedom throughout the entire process of the ritual as she is bound to perform every act set by the system.
The present study has made a critical analysis on the role of doudini, discriminated on the ground of gender and questions her status based on the social system.
Downloads
References
Berreman, G. D. (1964). Brahmins and Shamans in Pahari Religion. The Journal of Asian Studies, Association for Asian Studies, 23(S1), 53-69. https://doi.org/10.2307/2050621 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2050621
Boro, A. (2001). Folkliterature of the Bodos. N. L. Publication.
Brahma, M. M. (1960). Folksongs of the Bodos. University of Gauhati.
Buyandelgeriyn, M. (1999). Who 'Makes' the Shaman? The Politics of Shamanic among the Buriates in Mongolia, Inner Asia, 1(2), 221-244. https://doi.org/10.1163/146481799793647979 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/146481799793647979
Daimary, I. (2019). The Bodo Women: Representation in Folklore and Culture. Akansha Publishing House.
Filippi, G. G. (2008). Oracles and Shamans in Arunachal Pradesh. Central Asiatic Journal. Harrassowitzverlag. https://doi.org/10.13173/CAJ/2008/1/3 DOI: https://doi.org/10.13173/CAJ/2008/1/3
Karpati, J. (2013). Music of Female Shamans of Japan. Study Musicologia, 54(3), 225-256. https://doi.org/10.1556/smus.54.2013.3.1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/smus.54.2013.3.1
Kshetrimayum, O. (2009). Women and Shamanism in Manipur and Korea: A Comparative Study. Indian Anthropologist, Indian Anthropological Association, 39(1/2),17-34.
Kuwamura, K. (2003). A Female Shaman's Mind and Body, and Possession. Asian Folklore Studies, Nanjan University, 62(2), 257-289.
Weitz, R. (2010). A History of Women's Bodies. Weitz, R(ED), The Politics of Women's Bodies. Sexuality, Appearance and Behaviour (3rd Ed), Oxford University. 3-11.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Ivy Daimary, Dr. Madhurima Goswami
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
With the licence CC-BY, authors retain the copyright, allowing anyone to download, reuse, re-print, modify, distribute, and/or copy their contribution. The work must be properly attributed to its author.
It is not necessary to ask for further permission from the author or journal board.
This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
