Bathouism (also, Bathou) is the folk religion of the Boro people of Assam in Northeast India. The name (, five; , deep) in Boro means five principles. The five principles are: (air), (fire), (earth), (water) and (ether). The chief deity, called (: "the Elder")— omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent— is said to have created the five principles. Though there are other minor gods and goddesses, Bathoubwrai is considered the Supreme God. Bathoubwrai is unseen. The second most important deity is , the daughter of Bathoubwrai, who is considered as the "protector of the rice fields".
It is reported that Bathouism will be included in the Indian census. About 1% of Boro people are officially identified as followers of Bathouism. This is because a lot of Bathouism followers are currently identified as Hindus. After all, it is not yet officially recognized.
Altars
The altars of Kamaika (Khamaikha), Mainaw and Bathou are situated in the easternmost part of the main house. Bathou is always worshiped in conjunction with the goddess Kamaika (Khamaikha).
plant
The plant, Euphorbia milii var. splendens is considered the living embodiment of Bathoubwrai. Families that follow Bathouism plant a shrub at the northeast corner of their courtyard, in an altar called . Bodo communities that follow Bathouism generally plant a shrub at a community land, fenced with eighteen pairs of bamboo strips with five fastenings. Each pair symbolizes a pair of minor god-goddess. The five fastenings signify, from bottom: birth, pain, death, marriage and peace/pleasure. The bottom three fastenings, called , are those that one cannot escape in life; whereas the top two one could.
Gods, goddesses and gurus
Sidney Endle differentiates between household gods and community gods. Of the household gods Bathoubwrai, Mainao, Song Bwrai/Burai and Bura Bagh Raja are considered prominent. The practice of representing Bathoubwrai by the tree was more common among Boros (or Mech) of Goalpara region, and less so in Darrang. Song Raja is usually represented inside the house in an altar called , a deity who obtains devotion from women, and receives offerings during women's menses; but these offerings are eventually brought out and laid at the tree representing Bathou.
The eighteen pairs of gods-goddesses are:
Mwnsinsin bwrai-Mwnsinsin burwi
Si Bwrai-Si Burwi
Aham Bwrai-Aham Burwi
Khuria Bwrai-Khuria Burwi
Eheo Bwrai-Eheo Burwi
Mainao Bwrai-Mainao-Burwi
Bwlli Bwrai-Bwlli Burwi
Deva Bwrai-Devi Burwi
Gongar Bwrai-Gongar Burwi
Joumwn Bwrai-Joumwn Burwi
Song Raja-Song Rani
Hasung Bwrai-Hasung Burwi
Rajong Bwrai-Rajong burwi
Agrang Bwrai-Agrang Burwi
Hazw Bwrai-Hazw Burwi
Emao Bwrai-Emao Burwi
Mohela Bwrai-Mohela Burwi
Hafao Bwrai-Hafao Burwi
Worship
Traditional
Traditional Bathouism did not have any written scriptures or religious books, nor temples. Worship is performed at the , and constitutes offering animals and fowls for sacrifice and rice beer. Notable religious festivals were Kherai, Garja and others. These ceremonies are performed by priests called Douri (male priest) and Doudini (female priest). This religion was not organized.
Revivalism/Reformation
All Bathou Religious Union, an organization, was constituted in 1992 and it has begun reviving and reforming the traditional religion. The traditional role of the and are replaced by the appointed by the organization, and a band of singers who sing in a practice called . The construction of temples, resembling churches or mosques called , have come into being. is performed on Tuesdays in . Sacrifices of animals and fowls, and offering of rice beer as modes of worship has been replaced by offering of flowers, fruits and the burning of incense. The partaking of has also become popular.
