Majuli Island in India! Where? Have you heard of it? Well, did it know it’s the world’s largest river island? That sounds quite interesting and makes you put it on your bucket list. Living on such an island like that will be so much fun and a different experience. While many of us have seen movies in which people live on such islands, some of them get stuck and wait for rescue. Well, here you won’t have to call out for a rescue, but safely live here for a vacation or exploration trip. This island is situated in Assam. It is right in the middle of the Brahmaputra River. Its ferry good ride to this island.
It’s recognised by Guinness World Records as a vast island and the world’s largest river island. In a survey, it showed that it is about 352 sq kms. Whereas the Brahmaputra board says it’s about 421 sq kms – 522.73sq kms. In the 18th century, it was quite large, but now it’s reducing in size. It has caused severe bank erosion. The high erosions are a clear indication that the size is slowly decreasing. It’s reducing by 1.54 sq kilometer per year. It has a high chance of disappearing in some years if this continues.
The Assamese Civilisation has been living here for a decade. A population of 1.6lakh people live here. They are an indigenous community. Some interesting tribes you shall come across on this island. The Miris are also known as the Mising tribe(Tibetan-Burman group), and they are the largest indigenous people that reside here. They used to live in the hills in Arunachal Pradesh.
You will also come across the Deori tribe. They migrated from the Dibang, Lohit and Kundil valleys. They earlier served as priests to the Ahom kings. They follow the indigenous faith by worshipping ancestors and deities like Tameshwari, which also incorporates Hindu traditions. The deoris are known for their folk songs, dances and preparation of traditional rice beer.
Scheduled Tribe like the Sonowal Kacharis, are another major tribal community here. They follow the Neo-Vaishnavism community. In the early years, they used to do some gold-washing with river sand. Hence, their name Sonawal comes from the term Son -that’s gold. They grow rice varieties like Komal and Baldhan. They are closely connected to the natural landscape of the Brahmaputra River. They also contribute to the Vaishnavite satras (monasteries). They are known for their traditional attire that includes the gamusa.
The Satras are several Vaishnavite Monasteries. It’s a sacred space of art, culture and religion. It’s been active since the 15th century. It was founded by Saint Srimata Sankardeva. There are several institutions here, like the Auniati, Kamalabari and Shamaguri that preserve, teach and propagate neo-Vaishnavism. They use art as a tool, such as music, dance, especially known as Sattriya and mask-making, which serves as the cultural heart of the river island.
A very unique faith in the Majuli island, known as Donyi-Polo are dedicated to worshipping nature and has an animistic belief system. They pray to the Sun and Moon. They also emphasise harmony between humanity and nature. They consider themselves the children of the sun and moon – Donyi O Polo Ome. This faith guides them in their daily routine and agricultural rituals.
Majuli islands' cool Houses!
You won’t find your cemented towers or houses here. This island is very eco-friendly, and they live in Chang Ghar, which is what they call it. They are old traditional houses, especially made from bamboo, wood, and thatch. They are designed in such a way to protect themselves from floods from the Brahmaputra River. Hence, they have concrete pillars for this purpose. They are quite high up, and the design is very unique. They also use a good quantity of bamboo, timber, and thatches also making it lightweight.
They also use traditional wooden bamboo boats or banana rafts for transportation and navigating during floods, but now they are replaced by motorised ferries for their safe travel. These tribes are all great experts in designing and curating such houses and boats. The houses are quite large and have a raised living area, which is quite airy in design. It also has a front veranda. The area under the house has some space for storage of farming equipment, livestock, and traditional weaving looms. But in modern times, concrete pillars are used for stability.
What about us? Do we get to experience and stay here! Yes ofcourse!
You will definitely have an authentic and different experience here, as you will get to stay with Mising tribal bamboo cottages that serve as Homestays. There are several homestays you can choose from. To name a few, there are Menam Homestay, Rising Family Guest House, Trishna Homestay, and Laika.
Well its not only about the living experience here, but you will also get a chance to closely enjoy the Assamese food. It includes organic cuisines like rice, fresh river fish, and indigenous herbs. Masor Tenga, smoked pork, bamboo shoot preparation, and local rice beer. The meals are centred on Mising tribal culture and Vaishnavite traditions. You will also get Vegetarian meals that have fresh seasonal vegetables, lentil soups, mixed vegetable curry, and various leafy green stir-fries. Your stay will just cost you Rs500-Rs 1,000/- .
What activities can you do at Majuli Island?
You will see this natural phenomenon filled with greens and a serene water body. You can’t miss the unique talent of these tribes that is mask making. You will see the art of crafting, painting, and using traditional masks for dramas and the Raas festival. These are 3D masks, which are handmade and eco-friendly. They are traditionally used in Bhaona thats theatre. It’s dried in the sun and painted with natural colours.
Using split bamboo as a frame, it’s covered with cloth dipped in clay and cow dung. You will also come across a different form of silk, like the Eri, Muga and Paat.You can pick some traditional towels, Fulam Gamocha, Mekhela Chaddar, Tongali, Chelleng Chadder, Mibu Galuk, Gero, ribi Gaseng, and blankets, which are quite a speciality known as Mirijim. You can also enjoy their local dances and music and be part of their events. You can also see some birdwatching and spot migratory and local birds like storks, pelicans at Sakuli beel and Magurmari beel. Visit Salmora village and get to know how hand-beaten eco-friendly pots are made. Canoe and boat rides are also very scenic, but check with locals for high water levels. Along with this, you will see some cross-rickety bamboo bridges, rural landscapes, Sunsets and sunrises, making it a tranquil experience on the island.
So you need to reach Assam from your state. The best way is by a flight. Also, Johrat railway station is the closest. You need to reach Nimati Ghat through local transport and take a 1.5-hour ferry ride to the island. Visit and experience Majuli island that is celebrated for its combination of unique geography, spirituality, culture and natural habitat.
