'Mekuri' or Cat in Assamese Culture and Literature: A Study/ অসমীয়া সংস্কৃতি ও সাহিত্যে মেকুরী অথবা বিড়াল : একটি প্রতিবেদন

Abstract

‘Mekuri’ or cat is a welknown 'motif' belonging to various folklores and beliefs prevalent in Assam. It was the 'totem’ of Chutiya. The third story in Assamese 'Saathar Vrat' is about 'Sato Mekuri’. In Assamese proverbs, Nursery Rhymes, folk tales etc. 'cat' appears with its innate powers. Again, ‘mekuri’ can be found in certain lexical applications and in several modern Assamese fictions. In accordance with the norms of folk culture, over time, the modern society and the cultural influence of other groups have maintained cat motif in Assamese public life. But the positive taboos have disappeared, and the negative taboos have persisted due to the influence of similar folk beliefs of other groups. Further structural analysis associated with the folklore of Assam may throw some new light. However, in Assamese rural and urban life, the cat remains as a symbol of tradition.