Published Paper Details:

The culture of the Brahmaputra Valley evolved as a result of the integration of Aryan and non-Aryan elements. Religious beliefs and practices shaped the cultural and religious landscape of the valley. The valley is a land of myriad tribes. Each one of them has their own traditional faiths and religious beliefs. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christianity are prevalent in the region. They worship their deities as their belief system. Historically, the indigenous communities of the region including tribes like the Bodos, Mishings, and Karbis worshipped nature as their deity in various forms. This is known as animism, a religious system based on the notion that all natural elements, including rivers, mountains, trees, and animals, have spiritual value and are inhabited by supernatural powers. With the entrance of Hinduism, Buddhism, and later Islam and Christianity, the animistic practices in the Brahmaputra Valley underwent a transformation, leading to a syncretic religious culture. Understanding the role of nature in the traditional belief system of the Brahmaputra Valley provides valuable insights into the unique cultural character of the area. Using a historical lens, the study will attempt to explore animistic beliefs in the Brahmaputra Valley.