 | This article needs more citations. (August 2020) |
 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 235,881[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Predominantly in Upper and Central Assam; urban areas across Assam, India | |
| Languages | |
| Assamese | |
| Religion | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
The Sonowal Kachari (Assamese: Xonowāl Kosāree) are one of the indigenous peoples of the state of Assam in Northeast India. They are of Tibeto-Burman origin, and are closely associated with the other ethnic groups of Assam which are commonly referred to as Bodo-Kachari peoples.
The name Sonowal comes from the word 'Son' (Assamese: Xon) which means gold in Assamese.[2]The traditional occupation of the Sonowal kacharis was gold panning, that is extracting gold from the riverbeds.[2][3][4] The Kacharis those were appointed as gold-washers by the Ahom kings were organised into Sonowal Khel. These Kacharis came to be known as Sonowal Kacharis.[5]
They are predominantly inhabitants of Dhemaji, North Lakhimpur, Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts of Assam, along with pocket populations in Jorhat & Golaghat districts. The headquarters of the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council is at Dibrugarh.
Notable people[edit | edit source]
- Sarbananda Sonowal, politician and chief minister of Assam
- Jogendra Nath Hazarika, chief minister of Assam (1979)
- Pradan Baruah, Indian politician, former member of Assam Legislative assembly, MP of Lakhimpur Lok Sabha.
- Jogesh Das, prominent writer, recipient of Sahitya Academi Award
- Jitul Sonowal, singer, music director, composer, lyricist and entertainer in the field of Assamese music since 1992.
- Lohit Sonowal, inspector of Commando Battalion of Assam Police, awarded the Kirti Chakra military decoration
See also[edit | edit source]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Sonowal, Ripunjoy. (2014). Some Folklore Medicines of the Sonowal Kachari tribe of Upper Assam, North East India. Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences. 2. 541-543.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Sarbananda Sonowal, 'national hero' who struck gold for BJP in Assam". Hindustan Times. 19 May 2016. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ↑ Baruah, Amlan; Choudhury, S. B. Roy (1999). Assam State Gazetteer. Editor-in-Chief, District Gazetteers, Government of Assam. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ↑ sonowal kachari gold panning - Google Search. p. 353. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ↑ "The Kacharis were therefore, proficient in extracting gold by washing sands of the rivers. When they became subjects of the Ahom kingdom, they were therefore, appointed as gold-washers and organised into a Sonowal Khel. These Kacharis came to be known as Sonowol Kacharis."(Dutta 1985:33)
References[edit | edit source]
- Dutta, Sristidhar (1985), The Mataks and their Kingdom, Allahabad: Chugh Publications