The Process of acculturation among the tea tribes; A case study of Tezpur area, Sonitpur, Assam

Acculturation, Integration and Assimilation are three responsible stages of culture change process. This process of acculturation is followed by the process of integration due to using of common elements. The tea tribes are not merely a single community but a huge cluster of Munda, Chaontal, Urang, Kol, Bhil, Bhumis, Ghatowal, Gowala, Pradhan, Kurmi etc. They have their own culture, language and distinctive life-styles to assert their own Identify. The early part of 19th century can be marked as the milestone of the entrance of the tea tribes to Assam. It is become clear from a primary field investigation made in different tea garden of Tezpur area that the process of acculturation is in operation actively between the two societies. The topic of this paper intended to make an analysis of changes that have been operating among the tea tribes of Tezpur area, through process of acculturation. Language, Festivals, Folk beliefs and superstitions are taken as the parameter of the domain of which the frequent and unavoidable contact with the Assamese society.