Child care and motherhood : A case study among the Sonowal Kacharis of Assam

The present paper discusses various dimensions of child-rearing practices among the Sonowal Kacharis (second largest plain tribe) of Assam. The study reveals the characteristics of a simple society. Neither special care nor extra stress is given in any stage of child-rearing process. No special diet is given during pregnancy mainly due to poor economic conditions. As there is no mid-wife, the elderly women of the community help in delivery. Adequate safeguards are taken to protect the infant against evil eyes. Wearing of amulet and copper coins are popular among the Sonowal Kacharis. They also preserve the dried navel cord, and it is believed, that the water extracted from this cord is useful in diseases like dysentery, fever etc. Children are vaccinated, but they have faith in indigenous medicine and take help of bej (folk medicine man) for safe delivery and illness. Many of the beliefs have similarities, not only among the communities of Assam, but even, among some communities of Punjab.