My association with the Garo community of Baka is as old as 2006 when I was in sixth standard. I remember Delta (‘father’ in Assamese) telling us about students hailing from Baka, and how they all were very active in college. His vivid narratives aroused in me, and inquisitiveness, to meet and know more about the community, which I did the same year, during Christmas.
Visiting Baka for the first time was nothing short of enchanting. Located in the foothills of Dirgheswari hills, and spread out in a spiral manner into four revenue villages, this little locality has its own charm. Also, because till then, I had not experienced Christmas celebrations the way I did there. The Garos of Baka have a distinct way of celebrating Christmas. It is marked by an Axomiya essence, made visible in their symbolic usage of Axomiya language in carols and sermons, as well as the inclusion of different Assamese influenced dishes in the community feast like pitha (rice cake), laroo (laddo), doi (curd), gur (molasses), etc.
I visited Baka many times, till I reached college when I could no longer spare the time. But, during the final year of my masters, I decided to go back and carry out a small study about their settlement history as well as their idea of collective memory. The desire to do so was purely personal, as I was curious to learn about their migration history.
Tales of origin
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2020 من Eclectic Northeast.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2020 من Eclectic Northeast.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Time For Home Improvement!
Here are some home improvement projects that even absolute beginners will get right
Coping With Anxiety
Here are a few ways that you can deal with anxiety that you may be feeling because of the on-going pandemic
The Spread Continues
According to official reports, African Swine Fever has killed more than 1,700 pigs in Mizoram
Take the Unexplored Path
If you are looking for an underrated destination to explore this year, plan a trip to the charming town of Likabali
The Lotus Blooms Again
The Congress-led grand alliance bites dust in Assam as BJP retains power again in 2021
Painting Heritage
An up-and-coming artist from Nagaland wants to share his culture and heritage through works of art
MUSINGS OF A SOLDIER: TIT-BITS
People often ask me about my life out of uniform. Honestly, I have had no problems. Not so far. Instead, I find it quite refreshing. No routine, no parades, no briefing, no impending operations. Having donned the uniform since the age of thirteen until I hung up my boots last year, could I ever visualize life out of uniform? Not really. But, as I said, the transition has been quite smooth–no hang-overs, no regrets. People have been very positive in their interactions. Government departments have been responsive whenever I have approached for assistance.The genuine respect for the uniform is quite evident and it makes my heart swell with pride. Arunachal, to that extent, is the most nationalistic state in the country, I daresay. It has been kind of a revelation for me to experience the freedom of being a common man in an environment of positivity!
Look Good, Feel Good!
Here are four cruelty-free makeup brands that deserve a spot in your vanity bag
Face-to-Face With Conflict
In ‘Bulletproof: A Journalist’s Notebook on Reporting Conflict’, award winning journalist and author Teresa Rehman shares her experience of reporting from a conflict-ridden region
Bringing the Family Together
Tabletop games will encourage your family to take some time away from the screen and reconnect with each other
