Al202xis0 at 23:27, 9 April 2026

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{{Short description|Boro folk religion}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2025}}
{{Infobox religion
| icon =
| icon_width =
| icon_alt =
| name = Bathouism
| native_name = बाथौ
| native_name_lang =
| image = Bathouism flag.svg
| imagewidth = 200px
| alt = Bathou flag
| caption = Bathou flag
| abbreviation =
| type = [[Ethnic religion]]
| main_classification = [[Animism]]
| orientation =
| scripture = None
| theology = [[Nature worship]], [[Polytheism]]
| polity =
| governance =
| structure =
| leader_title = Supreme deity
| leader_name = Bathoubwrai
| leader_title1 = Second major deity
| leader_name1 = Mainao
| leader_title2 = Priests
| leader_name2 = Douri and Doudini
| leader_title3 =
| leader_name3 =
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| associations =
| full_communion =
| area = [[Assam]], [[Northeast India]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Bhutan]], [[Nepal]]
| language = [[Boro language]]
| liturgy = Bathou aroj
| headquarters =
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| possessions =
| founder = unknown
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| other_names = Bathou, Boro folk religion
| publications =
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}}
'''Bathouism''' (also, '''Bathou''') is the [[folk religion]] of the [[Boro people]] of [[Assam]] in [[Northeast India]].<ref>"Bathou is the name of traditional religion of the Boros." {{harvnb|Narzary|2014|p=2}}</ref> The name {{Lang|brx|Bathou}} ({{Lang|brx|Ba}}'','' five; {{Lang|brx|thou}}'','' deep)<ref>{{harvnb|Narzary|2014|p=28}}</ref> in [[Boro language (India)|Boro]] means ''five principles''.<ref>"The meaning of the term ‘Bathou ’ is five deep principle of creation." {{harvnb|Narzary|2014|p=2}}</ref> The five principles are: {{Lang|brx|bar}} (air), {{Lang|brx|orr}} (fire), {{Lang|brx|ha}} (earth), {{Lang|brx|dwi}} (water) and {{Lang|brx|okhrang}} (ether).<ref>".(O)f earth, water, air, fire and ether (ha, dwi, bar, or and okhrang). {{harvnb|Narzary|2014|p=3}}</ref> The chief deity, called {{Lang|brx|Bathoubwrai}} ({{Lang|brx|bwarai}}: "the Elder")— omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent— is said to have created the five principles. Though there are other minor gods and goddesses, Bathoubwrai is considered the Supreme God. Bathoubwrai is unseen. The second most important deity is {{Lang|brx|Mainao}}, the daughter of Bathoubwrai, who is considered as the "protector of the rice fields".<ref>{{harvnb|Endle|1911|p=37}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Narzary|2014|p=39}}</ref>

== Evolution and Variations ==
Bathouism has evolved and adapted over time, shaped by various social, cultural, and historical factors. These influences have led to the emergence of different variants within Bathouism. While the core beliefs and principles remain largely the same, certain practices and rituals have undergone changes or have been interpreted differently among various branches. One significant factor influencing Bathouism has been its interaction with other religions and belief systems, such as Hinduism.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Acculturation and Transition in Religious Beliefs and Practices of The Bodos {{!}} PDF {{!}} Religious Conversion {{!}} Faith Healing |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/366727669/Acculturation-and-Transition-in-Religious-Beliefs-and-Practices-of-the-Bodos |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref>

Currently, within Bathouism, there are various branches, including Bibar Bathou, Bwli Bathou, Aroj Bathou, Moni Bathou, Jangkhrao Bathou, and Sonathon Bathou, among others.

== Altars ==
The altars of Kamaika (Khamaikha), Mainaw and Bathou are situated in the easternmost part of the main house.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharya |first=Pramod Chandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pO4XAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA17 |title=A Descriptive Analysis of the Boro Language |date=1977 |publisher=Department of Publication, Gauhati University |pages=17 |language=en}}</ref> Bathou is always worshiped in conjunction with the goddess Mainaw /Kamaika (Khamakha).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharya |first=P.C |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pnyYvlKjiDQC&pg=PA43 |title=Sino - Tibetan ( Boro ) Elements in the Formation of an Indo - Aryan Toponymy : Kamakhya |date=1960 |publisher=Indian Linguistics |pages=43 |language=en}}</ref> when worshiping, Baraja remains on the right side of Bathou and Mainaw remains on the left side and the worshipers always face east. When you bow down to the lamp and incense sticks in the Bathou, you have to rotate it 5 times in the anti-clockwise direction While to the Mainaw one is to rotate it 7 times in the anti-clockwise direction.

=={{Lang|brx|Sijou}} plant==
The {{Lang|brx|sijou}} plant, ''[[Euphorbia neriifolia]]'' <ref>{{harvnb|Endle|1911|p=37}}</ref><ref>"The Bathouism or ''Bathou'' is symbolised by the Sijou plant {{harvnb|Narzary|2014|p=3}}</ref> is considered the living embodiment of Bathoubwrai. Families that follow Bathouism plant a {{Lang|brx|sijou}} shrub at the northeast corner of their courtyard, in an altar called {{Lang|brx|sijousali}}. Bodo communities that follow Bathouism generally plant a {{Lang|brx|sijou}} shrub at a community land, fenced with eighteen pairs of bamboo strips with five fastenings.<ref>{{harvnb|Narzary|2014|p=43}}</ref> Each pair symbolizes a pair of minor god-goddess. The five fastenings signify, from bottom: birth, pain, death, marriage and peace/pleasure. The bottom three fastenings, called {{Lang|brx|bando}}, are those that one cannot escape in life; whereas the top two one could. In the past, thulsi and jathrasi plants were also commonly used in place of the sijou plant.

==Gods, goddesses and gurus==
Sidney Endle differentiates between household gods and community gods.<ref>{{harvnb|Endle|1911}}</ref> Of the household gods Bathoubwrai, Mainao, Song Bwrai/Burai and Bura Bagh Raja are considered prominent.<ref>{{harvnb|Endle|1911|pp=35–36}}</ref> The practice of representing Bathoubwrai by the {{Lang|brx|sijou}} tree was more common among Boros (or [[Mech people|Mech]]) of [[Goalpara region]], and less so in [[Darrang District|Darrang]]. Song Raja is usually represented inside the house in an altar called {{Lang|brx|dham}}, a deity who obtains devotion from women, and receives offerings during women's menses; but these offerings are eventually brought out and laid at the {{Lang|brx|sijou}} tree representing Bathou.<ref>{{harvnb|Endle|1911|pp=36–37}}</ref>

The eighteen pairs of gods-goddesses are:

# Mwnsinsin bwrai-Mwnsinsin burwi
# Si Bwrai-Si Burwi
# Aham Bwrai-Aham Burwi
# Khuria Bwrai-Khuria Burwi
# Eheo Bwrai-Eheo Burwi
# Mainao Bwrai-Mainao-Burwi
# Bwlli Bwrai-Bwlli Burwi
# Deva Bwrai-Devi Burwi
# Gongar Bwrai-Gongar Burwi
# Joumwn Bwrai-Joumwn Burwi
# Song Raja-Song Rani
# Hasung Bwrai-Hasung Burwi
# Rajong Bwrai-Rajong burwi
# Agrang Bwrai-Agrang Burwi
# Hazw Bwrai-Hazw Burwi
# Emao Bwrai-Emao Burwi
# Mohela Bwrai-Mohela Burwi
# Hafao Bwrai-Hafao Burwi

==Worship==
===Traditional===
Traditional Bathouism did not have any written scriptures or religious books, nor temples. Worship is performed at the {{Lang|brx|sijousali}}, and constitutes offering animals and fowls for sacrifice and rice beer. Notable religious festivals were Kherai, Garja and others. These ceremonies are performed by priests called Douri (male priest) and Doudini (female priest). This religion was not organized.

===Revivalism/Reformation===
''All Bathou Religious Union'', an organization, was constituted in 1992 and it has begun reviving and reforming the traditional religion. The traditional role of the {{Lang|brx|Douri}} and {{Lang|brx|Doudini}} are replaced by the {{Lang|brx|Gwthari Asari}} appointed by the organization, and a band of singers who sing in a practice called {{Lang|brx|bathou aroj}}. The construction of temples, resembling churches or mosques called {{Lang|brx|thansali}}, have come into being. {{Lang|brx|Bathou aroj}} is performed on Tuesdays in {{Lang|brx|thansalis}}. Sacrifices of animals and fowls, and offering of rice beer as modes of worship has been replaced by offering of flowers, fruits and the burning of incense. The partaking of {{Lang|brx|prasad}} has also become popular.

== See also ==
{{portal|India|Religion}}
* [[Ahom religion]]
* [[Donyi Polo]]
* [[Sanamahism]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite thesis |last=Narzary |first=Nareswar |date=2014 |title=Bathou Religion and Its impact on Boro Society a Folkloristic Study |hdl=10603/114601 |hdl-access=free |type=PhD }}
* {{cite book |last=Endle |first=Sidney |title=The Kacharis |url=https://archive.org/details/kacharis009491mbp |access-date=20 February 2013 |year=1911 |publisher=Macmillan and Co. |location=London }}
* {{cite news |author=Inside NE |date=2019-02-06 |title=Indian Census shall now recognize 'Bathouism' officially |url=https://insidene.com/2019/02/06/indian-constitution-shall-now-recognize-bathouism-officially/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206132156/https://insidene.com/2019/02/06/indian-constitution-shall-now-recognize-bathouism-officially/ |archive-date=2019-02-06 |access-date=2019-02-06}}
{{refend}}

{{Religion topics}}
{{Religion in India topics}}
{{Assam}}

[[Category:Bodo]]
[[Category:Ethnic religions in Asia]]
[[Category:Religion in Assam]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]

Bathouism - Revision history

Al202xis0 at 23:27, 9 April 2026