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Revision as of 11:36, 3 January 2025 by Rohit Mahra (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Goriya Muslims of Assam are an ethno-religious group predominantly found in the Indian state of Assam. They are part of the broader Assamese Muslim community, with distinct cultural and historical characteristics. The Goriya Muslims are primarily known for their rural lifestyle, involvement in agriculture, and specific customs and practices that differentiate them from other Muslim communities in the region..
Origins and history
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In Assamese, the term "Goriya" has its roots in the Bengali language, where "Gori" means fair or light-skinned. The term originally referred to the people with lighter skin tones or those who were perceived to be from higher or more affluent social groups. Over time, this term became associated with a specific group of Muslim communities in Assam.
The Goriya Muslims are believed to have originated from a blend of local Assamese populations and Bengali Muslim immigrants, particularly during the 17th and 18th centuries. Over time, they adapted to the local culture while maintaining their Islamic faith. The term "Goriya" is used to describe Muslims who have integrated into the Assamese cultural and linguistic environment.
Historically, the Goriya Muslims were part of the broader wave of Muslim migration and settlement in Assam, which began with the arrival of Bengali and Central Asian Muslims. However, they differ from other Muslim groups in Assam due to their closer ties with Assamese customs, language, and lifestyle.
Culture and practices
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The Goriya Muslims of Assam are an indigenous Assamese Muslim community with a rich cultural heritage that blends Islamic traditions with local Assamese customs. Their cultural identity is characterized by unique practices in language, attire, cuisine, and social rituals
Attire and Dress
Traditional attire among Goriya Muslims reflects a synthesis of Islamic and Assamese influences. Men typically wear the kurta and lungi, complemented by the gamosa, a traditional Assamese cloth. Women often wear the mekhela sador, the traditional Assamese dress, adapted to align with Islamic principles of modesty. This blend signifies their respect for both religious and regional sartorial traditions.
Cuisine
The culinary practices of Goriya Muslims incorporate Assamese flavors while adhering to Islamic dietary laws. Their cuisine features a variety of traditional dishes, including pitha (rice cakes) and doi (curd), which are integral to Assamese gastronomy. Additionally, they prepare special dishes during Islamic festivals, showcasing a harmonious blend of cultural and religious culinary traditions.
Social Rituals and Practices
Religious Observances: As Sunni Muslims, the Goriya community observes Islamic rituals, including daily prayers, fasting during Ramadan, and celebrating festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Notably, they also participate in regional Assamese festivals such as Bihu, reflecting a syncretic cultural identity.
Marriage Customs: Goriya Muslims practice arranged marriages, often within close kin, as arranged by family elders. Their matrimonial ceremonies incorporate elements from both Islamic and Assamese traditions. For instance, the ritual of murot tel diya before the nikaah is influenced by the Assamese Hindu practice of maah halodhi diya.
Social Structure: The community maintains a patriarchal and patrilineal family system, with inheritance customs allowing women to inherit a portion of their father's property. They observe social norms similar to Assamese Hindus, including specific avoidance relationships between certain in-laws
Festivals and Celebrations
The Goriya community actively participates in both Islamic and Assamese festivals. They celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha with religious fervor, while also engaging in Bihu, the major Assamese festival, reflecting their integrated cultural identity. This participation underscores their dual heritage and the seamless blending of religious and regional festivities.
Craftsmanship and Occupation
Historically, the Goriya Muslims have been associated with various crafts and occupations. While many have traditionally engaged in agriculture, some communities, like the Moriyas, are renowned for their skills in brass metalwork and blacksmithing. These crafts have been passed down through generations, contributing significantly to Assam's cultural and economic landscape
Language
The Goriya Muslims primarily speak Assamese, although some may also speak Bengali or Urdu. Assamese, being the dominant language of the region, is used in daily life, education, and religious practices. The community has also contributed to Assamese literature and culture, particularly through their religious schools (madrasas) and local mosques.
Socio-economic life
Traditional Occupations
Historically, the Goriya were fishermen and ferrymen, particularly along the Ganges River. In contemporary times, many have transitioned to agriculture, engaging in paddy farming, fishing, and animal husbandry. Some have diversified into small businesses and wage labor.
Craftsmanship
The Goriya community is known for traditional crafts, including weaving and brass work, contributing to the local economy and cultural tapestry.
They are also known for maintaining a strong sense of social cohesion, with numerous madrasas, mosques, and social organizations that focus on both religious education and community welfare.
Demographics and distribution
The Goriya Muslim population is primarily located in Assam's Brahmaputra Valley, with the largest concentrations found in the Kamrup, Barpeta, and Nalbari districts. Although they make up a smaller segment of Assam's total Muslim population, their influence within the region's cultural and religious landscape is significant. They are known to maintain close ties with both other Assamese Muslims and the broader Assamese-speaking population.
Religion
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The Goriya Muslims are primarily Sunni Muslims and follow the Hanafi school of thought. While they adhere to Islamic religious practices such as daily prayers (Salat), fasting during Ramadan, and performing the Hajj pilgrimage, they also celebrate regional Assamese festivals like Bihu and Magh Bihu. This blend of Islamic and Assamese customs makes their cultural identity unique.
They are well-integrated into the Assamese Muslim religious network, which includes regular participation in Islamic festivals such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The community places a strong emphasis on family and religious values, with local mosques and madrasas serving as centers for religious learning.
Religious Practices
While adhering to Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school, Goriya Muslims incorporate local customs:
Sufi Influence: The teachings of medieval Sufi saints like Azan Pir have significantly influenced their religious practices, leading to the adoption of certain local traditions.
Syncretic Rituals:Some practices, such as observing post-mortuary rites on the third, seventh, and tenth days after death, mirror local Hindu customs, diverging from traditional Islamic practices. (Gmj manipal)
References
- Cultural Identity Of Indigenous Assamese Muslim
- "Assam's Muslims: why some have been declared 'indigenous' and some left out". The Indian Express. 2022-07-13. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
- "Assam in the Nineteenth Century" by S. K. Bhuyan
- Akash (2024-06-09). "Assamese Muslim | Demography, History, Culture and Identity". Retrieved 2025-01-02.
- "The Identity Question of the Assamese Muslims - Mainstream Weekly". www.mainstreamweekly.net. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ Collective, Dwima (2021-06-29). "THE STORY OF ASSAMESE MUSLIMS". The Dwima Collective. Retrieved 2025-01-03.
- ^ Identity, Culture and Politics in Assamese Muslim community
- "Complex Case Of Goriya, Moriya, Oxomiya -- Assam Set To Separate Indigenous Muslims From Migrants". Outlook India. 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
- "Whither Assam Muslims? The Story of Group's Exclusion from Political, Public Spheres". thewire.in. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
- "The 'Miya' question and the dilemma of Assam's Muslims". India Today. 2023-10-08. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
Other sources
- Sarwan, S. (2018)."The History and Demography of Muslims in Assam". New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
- Islam, M. A. (2012)."The Muslim Communities of Assam: A Sociocultural Study". Journal of South Asian Studies, 17(3), 125-143.
- Choudhury, T. K. (2014)."Assamese Muslim Culture and Heritage". Guwahati: Assam Publications.
- Mohammad, A. (2016)."Religious and Social Identity of Assam’s Goriya Muslims". Assam Studies Quarterly, 32(4), 80-95.
- Hussain, A. (2010)."The Goriya Muslims of Assam: A Cultural Integration". Asian Ethnography Review, 15(2), 220-240.
External links
- Sultana, Raihana Azmeera. Region religion and identities a study of goriya muslims of Assam (PhD thesis). Jamia Millia Islamia.
- Beyond common consciousness: understanding the rise of separate identity consciousness among indigenous Muslims of Assam. By Nayan Moni Kumar
- THE STORY OF ASSAMESE MUSLIMS. By Zafri Mudasser Nofil
- Gharia- World Culture Encyclopedia.