Gwthwinw Baonai: Death Rituals and Ancestral Offerings among the Bodo of Northeast India

Abstract (English)

The Bodo inhabiting the foothills of the Himalayas in northeastern India, are considered the indigenous population of the region. They possess a unique cultural identity characterised by their language, beliefs, rituals, and traditions. Among these, death rituals occupy a significant place, reflecting the Bodo worldview of life, death, spiritual continuity, and ancestral reverence. The concept of death (Thwinai) is deeply embedded in both communal practice and spiritual belief, historically influenced by their migratory lifestyle. In earlier times, deceased individuals were exposed in forests, a practice thought to allow nature and moral forces to pass judgment before transitioning into structured customs involving burial or cremation.
A central ritual in this cultural framework is Gwthwinw Baonai, a ceremonial offering to the deceased. Traditionally performed by an ojha or douri (a priest) at the southern side of the courtyard, this ritual involves presenting food, rice-beer, fruits, clothes, tea, meat, and other daily-use items to the spirit of the departed. The officiant (priest) in a half-sitting posture, recites mantras calling on the soul—whether it has transformed into a cow, eagle, or spirit, to come and partake of the offerings and to refrain from bringing harm to loved ones. This solemn ceremony, once held on riverbanks, is now primarily conducted at the deceased’s home.
The concluding rite, Sua Garnai (removal of impurity), involves discarding the offerings at rivers or wetlands, reinforcing the separation between the world of the living and the dead. Items used in the ritual are taboo for reuse, and any breach necessitates penance known as Kaoalibad.
These deeply symbolic rituals serve not only as spiritual acts but also as cultural touchstones, transmitting collective memory, moral order, and identity across generations. Through such practices, the Bodos preserve their rich indigenous heritage and reaffirm their social and spiritual values.