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The Significance of Sijou Tree in Bathousim

Sanchayeeta Parashar
Sanchayeeta Parashar
Sanchayeeta is an aspiring writer from Assam who's passionate about exploring different tribes and sharing the beauty of their cultures with her readers. She is a resident writer for The Indegenous.

Bathouism: The Indigenous Faith and Sacred Sijou Tree of the Bodos

Linguistically the Bodos belong to the Sino Tibetian family and they derive their anthropogenic roots from the Mongoloid folk. According to Edward Gait, "their physical characteristics are a short head, a broad nose, a flat and comparatively hairless face, a short but muscular figure and yellow skin". They migrated to North Eastern India around 2000 BC and today constitute the largest indigenous population of Assam. Being one of the primitive inhabitants of Assam they are often regarded as "Bhumi Putra Bodo" which translates to "Son of the Land". Oral Bodo literature is rich although in the early period, they had no written literature.

The Bodos have a vibrant cultural heritage in all dimensions, viz. language, cuisine, dances, literature, music, and religion. This article discusses 'Bathouism', the Indigenous religion practiced by the Bodos, and its belief system.

BATHOUISM

Bathousim is one of the earliest religions in the world. It has captivated scholars for centuries due to its distinctive belief system and philosophies. The ideologies of Bathousism are much deviant from conventional animism as it believes in the existence of a supreme soul (analogous to the concept of a Parmatma in Hinduism) and all the living and non-living entities are under his shade. They regard Bathow Bwari as the highest deity and worship Him as the supreme soul. Ba means five and Thou means philosophies. Thus, Bathou collectively translates to five distinct philosophies. This refers to the five crucial elements which form the very foundation of the religion. These five principles are:

  • Bar (Air)
  • Ha (Earth, Soil)
  • Dwi (Dater)
  • San (Sun, Fire)
  • Okhwray (Either)

The Bodo's religion is not animistic. Besides the Supreme God there are a pair of 18 married gods and goddesses within Him in Bathouism. They also believe in ghosts and spirits.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SIJOU TREE

BORO Culture and Tradition - Bathouism is a form of forefather ...

Before discussing the religious significance of the Sijou tree in Bathousim, let us look at the botanical description of the plant.

Botanical description

Division: Angiosperm

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Genus: Euphorbia

Scientific name: Euphorbia splendens

Vernacular name: Sijou tree

Splendens is a flowering plant with xerophytic features. It has a perennial, thorny succulent, solid, fleshy, erect and branched stem. It is a monoecious and incomplete male and female flower. The fruit is schizocarpic.

RELEVANCE OF THE SIJOU TREE IN BATHOUISM

In the Bodo language, Si means ultimate and Jou means atma or soul, so Sijou translates to the highest soul. Moreover, the plant is perennial i.e. it never withers away easily which also represents the immortal nature of the supreme God. Therefore, this truly symbolizes the ultimate power, Bathou Bwrai.

The plant has been classified into five parts which is analogous to the five divine entities in Bathouism. These parts are:

  • Rwda(Roots)
  • Guri(stem)
  • Dalai and Dentha(Branches and stem)
  • Bibar and Bila(Flowers and leaves)
  • Su Jora(Pair of thorns)

The Rwda, also known as roots, serve as symbolic representations of the divine attributes of God, which may not be immediately apparent. In the Bathou religion, the Sijou tree's single Gudi (trunk) symbolizes the almighty, omniscient, and omnipresent nature of God, representing the power of creation. Its various Dalai and Dentha (branches and stems) symbolize different species of living beings, including animals, plants, and trees, as well as all entities inhabiting the cosmos. The Bibar & Belai (flower & leaves) of the Sijou tree are significant in the Bathou faith, representing "wealth and property." Additionally, according to Bathouism, the thorns of the Sijou tree symbolize aspects such as a husband and wife, as well as day and night.

BATHOUSALI

UNDERSTANDING BATHOUISM : WHAT IS BATHOUISM? - The Bodo Tribe 18

In the practice of Bathouism, a Bathousali serves as a sacred space within the household. It houses a Sijou tree, also known as Euphorbia splendens, alongside Basil (tulsi) and Jathrasi. Every Tuesday morning or evening, adherents of Bathouism light an Alari bathi, an earthen lamp, as a symbol of devotion. This ritual is deeply woven into the fabric of Bathouist households, representing reverence and spiritual connection.

In the area known as Thansali, the villagers are required to build an altar for communal use. The religious and spiritual beliefs of Bathouism are symbolically represented by 18 pairs of tiny bamboo strips folded with five fastenings used to construct a Bathou altar. In the case of Bibar Bathou, there are three bithas in their Thansali; Rungsar Bitha (Ba-raja bitha), Mitha Bitha (Bathou bitha), and Hasing Bitha (Mainao), as well as one Ali (path) known as Bwiswmuthini Ali (path for gods and goddesses). The Gudi Bathou has four Bithas (altars) in their Thansali (place of worship); Mainao Bitha, Ba Raja Bitha, Bathou Bitha, Mwnsinsi Bwrai - Mwnsinsi Burwi Bitha, and Bwiswmuthini Ali (path of gods and goddesses).

The Bathou altar is enclosed by 18 bamboo posts and a single bamboo strip folded with five fastenings. These represent the religious and spiritual beliefs of Bathouism, including the 18 gurus and deities. The 18 bamboo posts symbolize the 18 gods and goddesses of the Bathou dharma, while the five fastenings represent the 5 Bandw or Asar (rites and rituals) that Bathou adherents believe are essential to human beings.

REFERENCES

  • (Daimary,2022)
  • (Narzaree,272)