Video | Deepor Beel: A wetland protected by Karbi customs or rituals that give importance to the environment – Assam

Ministry of Culture Govt. of India
https://youtu.be/FPJRnCPmYLQ

Deepor Beel is a wetland situated in Assam inhabited mostly by tribal people along with their distinct folklore and practices. One thousand and two hundred families of 14 indigenous villages around Deepor Beel depend directly or indirectly on the wetland’s natural resources for their livelihood. The main inhabitants around the Deepor Beel site are the Karbi communities whose only hope is the natural environment because of their economic condition and belief associated with the later. Various customs and rituals such as Johong puja and various other musical lore of the people always help in recollecting the beauty and importance of the environment including the wetland. In addition to fishing, the major economic activity, other traditional activities like grazing, farming, gathering of various minor products generate some income to sustain their livelihood. Community fishing is an important characteristic of folk-life of people around Deepor Beel. The plain Karbi people give importance to environment in every aspects, be it tradition, culture, customs or rituals. They always try to protect their environment from all hazards and because of that they worship their main deity Johong (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Bhagawati (Parvati).

Source: National List for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Ministry of Culture, Government of India
URL: http://www.indiaculture.nic.in/national-list-intangible-cultural-heritage-ich
Date visited: 5 October 2020

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