Threads of Identity: The Socio-Cultural Significance of Bodo Textiles in Framing Ethnic Narratives.

Abstract

This essay explores the close connection between Northeast India's Bodo community's ethnic identity formation and weaving traditions. For the Bodos, weaving is more than just a craft; it is an intricate visual language that conveys spiritual beliefs, social order, and historical memory. This study's analysis of traditional clothing, including the Dokhona, Jwmgra, and the recognisable Aronai, is at its core.

The study looks at how certain motifs; like the Hajw Agor, act as cartographic representations of the ancestral landscape, while the Aronai's transformation into a symbol of political solidarity illustrates the community's tenacity and desire for self-determination. The study makes the case that Bodo textiles serve as a "living archive" by examining the socioeconomic function of the loom and the recent installation of Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Finally, it emphasizes how these weaves, which continue to be a pillar of Bodo cultural sovereignty, manage the conflict between traditional heritage and the demands of globalised fashion.