Bodo Proverbs and its Social Significance

The Bodo is regarded as the largest community group among the tribes of Assam. They belong to the Sino-Tibetan family of Mongoloid race inhabiting an extensive area in the northern bank of Brahmaputra valley of Assam, India. They have been known as Mech, Kachari and Bodo in the time of British Missionary, and Kiratas in Puranas. Their language is included in 8th schedule in the constitution of India and recognized by Sahitya Akademi. They have their own distinct cultural traditions, social customs, festivals, language, religion, customary laws, traditional costumes, folklore and a rich tradition of folk literature like folk tales, legends, songs, proverbs, riddle and charms which have been transmitted to them by their ancestors from generation to generation and have shaped nurtured them till the present day. Proverbs circulating among the Bodo society have been taking significance role in the society as it help in socialization and integration. These are used according to the time and situations. Therefore, in this paper an attempt is made to understand the proverbs of the Bodos and its significance in society.