Tuloni biya, also referred to as Xoru Biya, Nua-tuloni, or Santi Biya, is a traditional Assamese Hindu ceremony that marks the attainment of puberty in girls[1][2] and celebrates the girl's transition from childhood to womanhood.[3][4] The Tuloni biya, which translates to "small wedding",[5][6] is accompanied by a multitude of rituals and traditions, all rooted in the concepts of purity and separation.[7]
| Tuloni Biya | |
|---|---|
 A young Assamese Hindu girl celebrating Tuloni Biya | |
| Location(s) | Assam |
| Country | India |
Etymology
editOne theory is that the name comes from the Assamese words "tuli" (to lift or raise) and "biya" (marriage). This suggests that Tuloni Biya is a ceremony that marks the girl's transition from childhood to womanhood, and her readiness for marriage.[8]
Ceremony
edit
The ceremony is typically held seven days after the girl's first menstruation.[9] The family of the girl sends out invitations to loved ones, inviting them to share their blessings and celebrate the beginning of her new life chapter.[7]
The girl is confined to a specific room for the first few days, with all other areas considered off-limits to her. On one day, the ladies of the community preparing for “Pani tula ritual” which means collecting the sacred water for the ceremonial bath, the girl is bathed in sandalwood, adorned in the traditional silk mekhela sador, complemented by the wearing of ornate jewelry for the wedding, and her hair is braided.[7] She is then seated on an elevated platform called the "Vivah Mandap," with family and friends surrounding her.[10]
A priest performs a puja, or religious ceremony, to invoke the blessings of the gods, and the girl is married to a banana tree in a mock wedding.[11] During this event, neighboring families' women gather to sing traditional folk songs, which convey specific teachings to the young girl.[9] The girl is then given gifts of money, jewelry, and clothing.[7]
References
edit- ^ Gogoi, Nitul Kumar (2006). Continuity and Change Among the Ahom. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 978-81-8069-281-9.
- ^ Das, Rajat Kanti (2005). North East India in Perspective: Biology, Socio-cultural Formations and Contemporary Problems. Akansha Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-87606-90-1.
- ^ Kumaramkandath, Rajeev; Srivastava, Sanjay (2020-02-20). (Hi)Stories of Desire: Sexualities and Culture in Modern India. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-1-108-49441-0.
- ^ Pragya (2022-02-01). Pages from the diary of small town girl. Blue Rose Publishers.
- ^ "Celebration Of Woman's Period In Assam Is Refreshing But It Isn't An Entirely Rosy Picture". IndiaTimes. 2023-05-27. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ Sachdeva, G. S. (2020-09-23). Sacred and Profane: Unusual Customs and Strange Rituals. SAGE Publishing India. ISBN 978-93-5388-517-5.
- ^ a b c d "Tuloni Biya: Assam's Distinctive Commemoration of a Young girl's first menstruation". India Today NE. 2023-08-29. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
- ^ Barua, Birinchi Kumar (1969). A Cultural History of Assam. Lawyer's Book Stall.
- ^ a b Singh, K. S. (2003). People Of India - Assam (Part 1). Seagull Books Pvt. Limited. ISBN 978-81-7046-128-9.
- ^ Pathak, Dr Juhi P. Film Appreciation On Cinemas (1990-2000) Of Jahnu Barua: Women, Children, Political And Psychological Perspectives. RED'SHINE Publication. Pvt. Ltd. ISBN 978-1-387-44518-9.
- ^ Kundu, Sreemoyee Piu (2023-08-18). Everything Changes: A Memoir. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-93-5435-634-6.