Bhitia tribe

Bhotia
It is a large tribal group of the northern region of Uttaranchal state. The population is
55,997 comprising of 29,668 males and 26,329 females (1991 census). The sex ratio is
1:1.
Bhotia are spread out in the districts of Chamoli, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Pauri,
Almora, Nainital and Pittauragarh districts of Uttaranchal state.
Bhotia word has originated from the word “Bhot” which is similar to the Tibetan word
“Bod”. Bhotia has six subdivisions – Shoka (in Pithauragarh), Dharmi (in Dharchula),
Johari (in Munsayari) and Tolcha, Marcha and Jad (Chomli and Uttarkashi district).
They are a patriarchal society and celebrate all their ceremonies in tribal manner.
Birth Ceremony
No specific ritual is carried out during the pregnancy. At the time of birth, chayacti (a
type of wine) and dhalam (a type of cake) is given to the community men. A bhoj is also
given.
Chhushimo – (a ritual on the eleventh day after the birth of the child), the mother and the
child take a sacred bath. The mother then starts domestic work after the pregnancy.
Bhumo – (the third month after the birth of the child) is concerned with the movement of
the child.
Pushyavomo – it is similar to the mundan in other Hindu communities and is performed
in the third, fifth or seventh year after the birth.
Marriage ceremony
They are engaged in monogamy and polygamy customs. They prefer consent marriage in
the following ways.
Chamai kharmo – the consent of the girl is taken. Taram is the woman who completes
this ritual. Chayacti - (a traditional wine) is given by the groom side to the bride side.
Vinti – this ritual is concerned with the groom side asking for the hand of the bride,
which is followed by thomi (engagement). In this ritual the date of the marriage is fixed.
This fixed date is known as Dhami Syasya.
On the marriage day, Tisya (real and or cousin sisters of the groom) go to bride’s home
with Chayacti and Dhalam (a kind of cake).
Shaknut - A ritual performed at the bride’s home in which gods and goddesses are
worshipped with offering of chayacti and Dhalam.
Laye – A ritual is performed by the groom side and some amount of money (Rs. 5/-) is
given to the bride’s mother. Khato – A white cloth (1.5 meter long) is given to every
relative of the bride. All relatives keep kahto (white cloth) on their head and worship the
traditional god (Ghanta karna) for the welfare of the new couple after the completion of
the marriage ritual, they perform a specific ritual Rang-bang (groom stays two or three
nights at the brides’ home). After this ritual the groom comes back to his home with his
bride and her friends (syasya). The older men worship god and the groom’s mother gives
a piece of Dhakim and a cup of chayacti to bride and she dips a coin in the cup. It is
similar to Saptapadi of Hindu communities. This queer characteristic of the Bhotia
marriage is the absence of Brahmin or Purohit (the priest who performs all the sacred
work of the Hindu marriage).
Elopement and kidnapping are also in practice.
Death ceremony (Gavan)
Gavan completes in three days. The first day is concerned with the cremation at the chesa
(cemetary). They wrap the dead body in amulya (woollen cloth).
Chao – a second day ritual in which the bones of the deceased is collected from the chesa
and is kept inside the ground of the concerned village with a hanging pitcher of water,
flour and ghee (fat made from milk). Amricha (an old man) does all this work.
Gharchyoma (curtain ceremony) – a third day ritual which is concerned with the farewell
of the soul of the dead person. Every village member gathers in this ritual except the
family members of the dead person. Yak has an important role in the death ceremony,
especially for the Gharchyoma. The chao (bones of the dead person) are kept on the back
of the yak and left in the jungle. When the yak returns back to the village it is a sign that
the soul of the dead person is free from this world.
At the Gavan ritual, the women don’t wear bangles or ornaments in their right hand.
The Bhotia village is called Khera and due to the change in weather their abode is
temporary.
Economy
They are basically traders but they are engaged also in agriculture. The carpet industry is
very popular work among them. Their economic condition is very good.
Religion
Gobala, Chipula and Hardeol are their main gods. They are worshiped thrice in an year in
the months of july, September and November respectively Saithan (a stone is kept at the
base of a tree trunk with red and white strips of clothes tied to the branches). Other gods
are Kungr – the god of rain, Chan – god of protection from diseases, Kibang ranchim – a
god of welfare, Shidhuwan – a god who the Bhotia’s flocks from sickness and Runiya –
god of protection of sheep.
Bhotia celebrates festivals in two parts -
Religious festivals – Eisth devta pujan, Atma (soul) pujan, Gabla pujan and Ghanta karna
pujan.
Agricultural festivals – Mati (soil) pooja, Navusano, Nu, and Dhalam.
Political organization
Panchayat has 5 to 7 members. Trade disputes and other controversial matters are
amicably settled by an ingenious custom called “Antara Bairna”. A panchayat is called
and wine is distributed. A goat is sacrificed and its meat is cooked, while its intestines are
cleaned. The two disputants are asked to stand together and the intestines are wrapped
around them. This signifies that they were born from the same womb and should consider
themselves brothers and cease to quarrel.
Now Bhotia are approaching a good life. Maximum Bhotia are literate and some are in
good government jobs. Due to the Panchayti raj, the Bhotia are very much aware about
their future. Now every Bhotia family is approaching schools for the education of their
children. The carpet industry has made a vital effect for a better economic life. The
Bhotia are in administrative services, which is a sign of their progress.