Context:
Recently, the Prime Minister inaugurated the 1st Bodoland Mahotsav in New Delhi.
Relevance:
GS I: Festivals
Bodoland Mahotsav
The Bodoland Mahotsav is a significant cultural festival that celebrates the language, literature, and culture of the Bodo community, fostering a spirit of peace and building a vibrant society within the Bodoland Territorial Region.
Objectives and Themes
- Event Theme: This year’s theme, ‘Peace and Harmony for Prosperous Bharat,’ emphasizes the promotion of the rich cultural heritage and educational advancements of the Bodo community alongside other communities in the region.
- Cultural Celebration: The festival is a platform to showcase the diverse cultural and linguistic heritage, ecological biodiversity, and touristic potential of Bodoland.
- Post-Accord Celebration: It marks the progress and resilience of the community following the signing of the Bodo Peace Accord in 2020, highlighting the journey towards recovery and unity.
Cultural and Historical Context of the Bodo Tribe
Background
- Earliest Inhabitants: The Bodos are considered one of the earliest ethnic groups to settle in Assam, historically known as Pragjyotishpur and Kamrupa. Their unique cultural and linguistic attributes are derived from the Mongoloid stock of the Indo-Mongoloids or Indo-Tibetans.
- Linguistic Traits: Linguistically, the Bodos are part of a larger group of Tibeto-Burman speakers spread across North and East Bengal, Assam, and parts of Burma.
- Regional Names: In the Brahmaputra Valley, they are known as Bodos or Boros, while in Lower Assam, West Bengal, and Nepal, they are referred to as Meches.
-Source: The Hindu
