QUESTIONS OF KNOWLEDGE AND POWER: CONTESTATIONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE PERFORMANCE OF DOUDINIS OF THE BODOS OF ASSAM

This research paper attempts to explore the notions of knowledge and power in the traditions of doudini (priestess) of the Bodo tribe of Assam, North-East India. The present paper tries to argue that although a doudini possesses traditional knowledge and supernatural power, she is deprived of the rights to equality and freedom. The doudini through her ritualistic dance performance plays the role of a mediator between the people and the Gods. The raw blood of the sacrificial animals is consumed by her in the Kherai festival, an important ritual of the Bathou religion. She is then charmed by the chants of the priest and falls into a trance and transforms into a spiritual being. The community addresses her as nasoni (dancer) and some as doudini(spirit), depending on the status attributed to her in the particular society. The doudini plays many parts which are presented in a series to the same audience. Though the ritual is performed both by female priest and male priest, their role differs as doudini has to accomplish more performances compared to male priest. The doudini does not have freedom to act on her own as she performs, based on the rules set by the system. The doudini does not enjoy freedom throughout the entire process of the ritual as she is bound to perform every act set by the system. The present study has made a critical analysis on the role of doudini, discriminated on the ground of gender and questions her status based on the social system.