{"id":107286,"date":"2023-07-06T12:32:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-06T10:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magikindia.com\/?p=107286"},"modified":"2023-07-06T12:32:44","modified_gmt":"2023-07-06T10:32:44","slug":"mon-sejour-chez-les-rabha-assam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magikindia.com\/en\/mon-sejour-chez-les-rabha-assam\/","title":{"rendered":"My stay with the Rabhas, Assam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During a trip, there is always a climax, a moment more striking than another, which we cherish long after. My stay with the Rabhas, on the shores of Lake Chandubi, Assam<\/a>, was one of these. The generosity of my hosts and the serene beauty of the place still accompany me.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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The lake and its lotuses<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Mirza Rajapara road on which we had been driving for about twenty kilometers suddenly stops. In front of me, the lake Chandubi where I am about to spend a memorable stay with the Rabhas, one of the many indigenous peoples of Assam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formed as a result of the 1897 earthquake, the lake nestles at the foothills of Garo in Kamrup district, at a distance of 60 kilometers from the city of Guwahati.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lake Chandubi and the blue boat that takes me to the other shore<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My host, Sanjay Rabha, is waiting for me with a large smile and he gets me into the blue boat that will take me to his hamlet, on the opposite bank. A man and his son on a bicycle have already taken the lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I arrive, the rest of Sanjay’s family welcomes me with the same generous smile. I settle in a traditional bamboo hut on stilts, with sober comfort, however cozy. I was told later that I was the first traveler to “experience” their guest house. The family has just opened the place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My bamboo hut<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s lunch time and I am served delicious specialties from the region concocted with organic products from the village.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The preparation of lunch by Jubati (Sanjay’s wife) and Alaka Rabha (Sanjay’s mother)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I stay all afternoon chatting with the family who show me around the owner. Alaka ends up settling on a loom where a purple cotton saree is being made. Hand weaving is a tradition that continues throughout Assam and I did not fail to bring back one of these handicrafts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Rabha family loom<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The next morning, I set off with Sanjay for a hike in the thick jungle that envelops the lake. As we trek along the main village trail, we meet Basanta Rabha, a friend of Sanjay who joins our group. About ten kilometers further, we land on the edge of a stream tumbling down the rocks between the intertwined roots of secular trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sanjay, who had picked a “robab tenga”, a kind of pomelo, on the way, begins to “shell” it on banana leaves with the help of Basanta. The preparation of this frugal snack sprinkled with spices was done to the sound of a traditional Assamese song sung with talent by Basanta\u2026 What else?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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