Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s6.23.2

c48.s6.23.2

In the former exogamous sections are strictly maintained, but in the latter, such as there are seem to be weakening in vigour, and though nominally kept up, and the clan name still descending in the male line, marriages are no longer regulated in accordance with them, nor is the totemistic prohibition regarded, except, perhaps, to the extent that the tiger clan are not allowed to abuse that animal when shot, as the rest do. The number of the tribal population is considerably more than the figure here quoted, since many of the converts to Brāhmanism, as above stated, do not retain their tribal name, and whole villages in Upper Assam are inhabited by pure Bōdo, though that title is not returned by a single family. Across the Brahmaputra, mainly in the range bearing their name, are the Gāro. These claim to be autochthonous, but their tongue and customs indicate a close relationship to the Bōdo and to the Lālung, a neighbouring tribe on the east, of the same race. The Gāro are not found far from their hills, but a few thousands have made their way into the adjacent district of Bengal and across the river into Goālpāra. The tribe is much subdivided. There are four main clans, each of which has its numerous exogamous sections. In religion the Gāro resemble the Bōdo, and have the same system of propitiating the malignant deities through the Kamāl, a non-hereditary priest, corresponding to the Dēōrī of the others.