Guwahati: For years, Christian missionaries have been working to convert the poor tribal population of interior Assam to Christianity. This has led to significant numbers of tribal people in the Karbi Anglong district converting to Christianity over recent years. However, recent efforts by Hindu organizations have led many of these individuals to return to their original faith through a broad ‘Ghar Wapsi’ program. On August 26, over 100 individuals from 35 families in Karbi Anglong and Amsoi area reconverted to Hinduism, specifically following Tiwa tribal customs. These families had originally converted to Christianity a few years ago.

Earlier this year, on March 18, hundreds of tribal people in Karbi Anglong district chose to return to their traditional faith, marking a new chapter in Assam's ‘Ghar Wapsi’ movement. In a solemn ceremony held in Diphu, thirty-five Christian Karbi families embraced their ancestral faith, Barithe Dharma, under the auspices of the Karbi Kurpho Amei at Serlongjon. The ceremony saw 150 men and women participate in rituals symbolizing their reversion to Barithe Dharma. Offerings were made to Karbi deities Hemphu, Mukrang, and Rasinja, reaffirming their commitment to their traditional faith. The Karbi Kurpho Amei honored the returning families in accordance with Karbi customs.

Distinguished Karbi leaders, including Pratap Terang and Joysing Terang, known for their association with Karbi Customary Law, were present to witness and support this resurgence of traditional beliefs. The recent ‘Ghar Wapsi’ ceremony in Tiwa Shong village saw 132 converted Christian Tiwa people in Morigaon district return to their ancestral roots. Led by the Goba Deoraja Raj Parishad, this initiative represents a collective reclamation of identity and tradition within the Tiwa tribal community. As families embrace Sanatan Dharma, they reaffirm their commitment to preserving age-old customs and values, symbolizing a return to Tiwa heritage.

This movement reflects a growing trend of cultural revival and reaffirmation of indigenous identities among tribal communities in Assam. It highlights the complex dynamics of religious conversion and reconversion and underscores the enduring influence of tradition and heritage. The Hindu Dharma Sanskriti Suraksha Samiti claims to have successfully reconverted 15,000 individuals in Assam recently, primarily in tribal areas, underscoring the ongoing impact of these cultural and religious shifts.

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