Tradition and Faith of the Tai-Ahoms and Deoris of Assam

Tradition means beliefs, objects or customs performed or believed in the past, originating in it, transmitted through time by being taught by one generation to the next, and are performed or believed in the present. In broader sense, it refers to the forms of artistic heritage of a particular culture or the beliefs or customs instituted and maintained by societies and governments or the beliefs or customs maintained by religious denominations that share history, customs, culture, and, to some extent, body of teachings. Faith is the confidence or trust in those beliefs, objects or customs. The Tai-Ahom and the Deori communities of Assam have their own unique and distinct tradition and faith. Successfully overpowering the powerful challenges of time, modernization and changing perceptions, these communities have succeeded in maintaining their glorious origin, firm religious faith, colourful, vibrant customary traditions like marriage, food, songs, dances, clothes, etc. The present paper is an attempt to trace the tradition and faith of the Tai-Ahom and Deori communities of Assam on the basis of our understanding of the concepts of tradition and faith.