The Bodo community, with its rich cultural heritage, boasts traditional costumes and ornaments that not only serve as a form of self-expression but also carry deep historical significance. Weaving is a cherished art in Bodo society, with a woman’s expertise in weaving being a marker of respect. These traditional dress materials, handwoven by the Bodo women themselves, are adorned with splendid designs that showcase their remarkable creativity, skill, and deep-rooted cultural traditions. In this blog, we will delve into the traditional costumes of the Bodo community, exploring the attire worn by both men and women.
“Grace Woven in Threads: The Distinctive Attire of Bodo Men and Women”
Gamsa : It is a traditional male dress, measuring 1.5 meters in length and 1.2 meters in width. It is typically tied around the waist, covering the area from waist to the knee. Additionally, it serves as a versatile towel for bathing. The ‘Gamsa’ is meticulously woven with an array of colours, including green, soft red, and combinations like white and green, white and blue, and more
Aronai : It is a traditional muffler of the Bodos where the floral pattern used is again the ‘Hajw or Pahar Agor’. Today the colorful Aronai is a symbol of Bodo’s way of showing love and hospitality to the world. Bodos traditionally welcome their revered guest with Aronai and it has to be mentioned that Aronai and it has been mentioned that Aronai with its unique design and bright colours is highly appreciated by everyone in any corner of the world who ever have come across it. The aronai is a muffler used by men, especially during their performance in cultural or religious festivals.
Jacket/KhotGosla: The sleeveless front-opening jacket, known as ‘KhotGosla,’ comes in a variety of colours such as yellow, green, red, and white, each featuring unique decorative designs. The ‘KhotGosla’ is crafted using both hand and machine sewing techniques.
Dokhona : Dokhona, the traditional dress of the Bodo women is a one-piece garment that is wrapped around a body in a unique style giving a look of two-piece wear. The word ‘ Dokhona’ means six corners (Do means six & Khona in Bodo means corner) and if observed carefully the Dokhona when wrapped & worn gives six corners.
A dokhona measures three and a half meters in length and one and a half meters in width. Bodo women tie the dokhona around the chest,just above the breasts, and let it flow down to the ankles.
The common colour in Bodo dresses is mainly all shades of yellow, orange and green which has been expresssed as ‘Gwmw Gwthang Batho Gang’. (Gwmw is yellow & Gwthang is green). These colours were perhaps preferred by Bodo women because the dyening for these colours was easier to extract from the roots, tubers, barks, and leaves found in nature.
Jwmgra or Fashra ( Bodo Scarf): Dokhona worn by women is incomplete without a Jwmgra.Jwmgra is a shoulder scarf worn by Bodo Girls.It is also known as Fasra,Pali or Rege-Regang.
Bodo Jwmgra is the most beautiful and attractive piece with designs where Bodo girls bring out the beauty of nature. ‘Hajw or Pahar Agor’ Jwngra with the designs of hills & scenery is the most adored scarf used by Bodo women both young and old.
Conclusion
The traditional costumes of the Bodo community are a testament to their unique culture and artistry. These garments are characterized by bright colors, intricate patterns, and fine designs, reflecting the Bodo people’s creativity and tradition. While Bodo individuals once cultivated their own cotton, they now source yarn from local markets, contributing to the popularity of their textiles among non-Bodo communities.