Kherai Ritual and Cultural Performance: Worldviews of the Bodos

Abstract

The paper critically analyses kherai ritual and cultural performance of the Bodos. Kherai, which manifests collective hope and aspiration of the community, is the main cultural form of the Bodos as it is significantly the largest ceremonial performance of Bathou, the ancient religion followed by the Bodos since time immemorial. Kherai is a spiritual performance that has both syntagmatic and paradigmatic dimensions. Thus, it frames their worldviews. It is a synthesis of spirituality, magic, music, dance, and prophecy. In the enactment of the rituals, the religious thoughts, beliefs, values, and attitude to life of Bodos are articulated. Thus, the socio-cultural practices of Bodos seem to have emerged from the performative tradition that is associated with Bathou. Nevertheless, the customs and traditions of the Bodo community have been influenced and reshaped by various cultures that it encountered in the longue duree of history.