‘Tolani Bia’ In Assamese Society, With Special Reference To Kamrup District

Abstract

It is a natural fact that a girl child attains her ‘menstruation/puberty growth period’ while her childhood stage gets transformed into the storm and stress period of adolescence. During this stage, one feels the changes that take place not only in her physical structure but also with her emotions. Some people view these changes normally and explain them well to the girl at the onset of her menstruation. At the same time , a few people prefer to prepare the girl child for the upcoming stage through some rituals. Such rituals are also performed in our Assamese society, traditionally. In our discussion, the very process of getting a girl child ready for this ‘puberty period’ shall be discussed taking the Kamrup district into special consideration. The first four days of menstruation as well as the traditional rituals and customs in which the ‘second marriage’ is performed will be a part of this discussion.