Honghari
| Honghari | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Indigenous |
| Region | Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong |
| Founder | Hemphu, Mukrang, Rasinja |
| Other name(s) | Aronban |
| Slogan | Hem Hem Arnam, Hemphu Arnam[1] [2] |
Honghari is the indigenous religion practice by the Karbi people of Assam in Karbi Anglong.The traditional religion of Karbi people is called Honghari.[3]
The Karbi religion and belief system is rooted in ritual ancestor worship, the veneration of household and territorial deities, and ceremonies for ancestors known as 'Karhi'. At the core of their spiritual tradition is the divine duo Hemphu and Mukrang, who hold the most prominent place in the Karbi pantheon. Karbis who continue to follow traditional practices are known as followers of Hemphu-Mukrang, and they often refer to themselves as 'Hemphu-Mukrang aso', meaning "children of Hemphu and Mukrang."
Karbi deities are generally categorized into three groups based on their roles: Hem-Angtar, Rongker, and Thengpi-Thengso.[4]
Festival
[edit]Rongker
[edit]Rongker is the major festival celebrated by the Karbi people every year, usually in January or February depending on the village. It is usually celebrated to promote the well-being and prosperity of the villagers. The festival aims to ward off evil influences and to seek blessings from deities associated with nature, such as those of crops, rivers, and mountains.[5]
Chomangkan
[edit]Chomangkan, also known as Karhi, is more than a mourning ceremony — it is a profound cultural event that reflects the Karbi community’s perspective on death, remembrance, and continuity. Unlike typical funerals held soon after death, Chomangkan is often conducted months or even years later, sometimes honoring several deceased family members at once. This delay elevates the ceremony into a rich social and spiritual gathering that involves the entire community. In Karbi belief, death is not the end of life but a passage to the ancestral realm known as Rong Arak. [6]
Hacha-Kekan
[edit]Hacha-Kekan is a festival celebrated after the harvest, marked by joy and communal rejoicing. Unlike Rongker, it involves no rituals to appease deities and carries no element of fear. Therefore, it can be considered a secular celebration, distinct in nature from religious festivals like Rongker. [7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Youtube"Hem Hem Arnam, Hemphu Arnam".
- ^ Facebook"Hem Hem Arnam, Hemphu Arnam".
- ^ Bey, Mongolsing. (2020). THE SACRED GROVES OF KARBI ANGLONG (PDF). Assam.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Understanding Karbi Folk religion". 26 February 2008. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
- ^ Assam Info"Rongker & Chomangkan Festivals". Retrieved 2025-05-13.
- ^ Hansepi, Laxmi. Ritual of the Dead: Karbi Chomangkan Festival in Its Cultural Context. Retrieved 2025-05-13.
- ^ "APSC JAA 2025 Daily Notes: Hacha-Kekan festival". Retrieved 2025-05-13.