13 GI-Tagged Bodo Items Showcasing the Craftsmanship of Assam's Tribe

The Bodo Tribe of Assam is known to be one of the first tribes to rear silkworms and produce silk material. Apart from their exceptional silk weaving capacity, they are masters in making instruments. Due to their exquisite craftsmanship, their products have received a special tag. Recently, on the auspicious occasion of Bodofa UN Brahma‘s birth anniversary on March 31, 2024, various Bodo products were given the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, where 4 out of 13 items are Bodo traditional attire, 3 are agricultural products, and 6 are musical instruments. Here is a list of items that received this tag as an entitlement to the Bodo tribe of Assam. 

Musical Instruments 

Bodo Kham

Khamis is referred to as a long drum in the Bodo language. It is a percussion instrument made of a wooden casket body, covered with leather membrane on both sides and secured with rope. 

Bodo Serja

Serja is an instrument that shows some resemblance to a violin. It is a string instrument made with animal skin and wood (mostly, Ejar tree). It is traditionally used in bagaroumba, baisagu, domasi and raijwjanai dance performed by the tribal people.

Bodo Sifung

Bodo Sifung is another traditional Bodo instrument. It is like an elongated flute which is played by blowing air in it. As compared to a flute which has 6 holes, Sifung has 5 holes and is played during prayers, traditional performances and music. It is made from Owajlaw (Bambusa pallida) and Owathare (Bambusa assamica) wood. 

Bodo Gongona

The gongona is a jaw harp instrument made from a bamboo or horn segment that splits at one end. It is a vibrating reed instrument that is mostly utilised in Assamese traditional Bihu music. 

Bodo Jotha

Bodo Jotha is a pair of cymbals beaten together to produce music. It is a percussion which is made from bell metal. The two discs are similar in size and tied with a string held in the hand to cling the metal disc to produce sound. 

Bodo Thorkha

Bodo Thorkha is a bamboo clapper which varies from 2 and 1/2 feet to 3 feet in length. The clapper has two internodes and three nodes where the nodes are in the upper, middle and lower segments respectively. This blowing musical instrument is made from the Bambusa Tulda plant.

Fabric 

Bodo Eri Silk

The Eri Silk from Assam is one of the most popular silk from the state of Assam. The name "eri" is derived from the Assamese word "era", which means "castor", as the silkworm feeds on castor plants. This type of silk comes from the Samia Cynthia Ricini or Philosomia Ricini moth and fine sarees and clothes are weaved out of it.  

Bodo Dokhona

Dokhona is the traditional attire of the Bodo Tribe of Assam. It's a one-piece clothing that is worn by the women of the tribe. Dokhona means “six corners” in the Bodo language which is referred to as the six corners covering the entire body having designs called Agors. 

Bodo Jwmgra

Bodo Jwmgra also known as Fashra Pali or Rege-Regang is another traditional attire worn by the women of the tribe. It is a scarf made with a combination of materials like cotton, silk, polyester or any one of them. Jwmgra is worn alongside a Dhokona. 

Bodo Gamsa 

Bodo Gamsa is a traditional male attire of the Bodo people. It is a lower garment used to cover the portion of the waist to the knee by tying it in the waist. It is generally a white hand-woven piece of cotton or silk cloth with red woven patterns or motifs on two sides and red stripes on the long border.

Agricultural Products 

Bodo Keradapini

Bodo Keradapini (Premna Herbacea) is a rare undershrub bursting with bioactive compounds, offering therapeutic potential for antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic purposes. 

Bodo Khardwi 

Khardwi is an alkaline liquid used in the cuisine of the Bodo people. It is made by burning dried banana stems, bamboo, coconut coir, or even potato plants to create an ash powder filtrate. It's used in small amounts as a gravy ingredient and tastes like strong soda.

Bodo Gongar Dunjia

Bodo Gongar Dunjia is a leafy green vegetable similar to coriander, mainly used for seasoning foods, but it has a stronger aroma and flavour.