🏵️ 21 Bodo products now carry the Geographical Indication (GI) tag🧵 Preserving Aronai, Dokhona & Eri Silk — the living handloom of Bodoland🎶 Kham, Serja & Sifung — the traditional soundscape of the Bodo people🍽️ Napham, Narzi, Ondla & more — heritage food of Bodoland gets GI recognition🤝 Partner with us to empower artisan communities across the Bodoland Territorial Region🏵️ 21 Bodo products now carry the Geographical Indication (GI) tag🧵 Preserving Aronai, Dokhona & Eri Silk — the living handloom of Bodoland🎶 Kham, Serja & Sifung — the traditional soundscape of the Bodo people🍽️ Napham, Narzi, Ondla & more — heritage food of Bodoland gets GI recognition🤝 Partner with us to empower artisan communities across the Bodoland Territorial Region
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GI 644

Bodo Aronai

Aronai

Bodo Aronai

Significance

The Aronai is the most iconic Bodo textile — a small sacred scarf (1.5–2.5 m long, 0.5 m wide) worn as a guard of honour across the chest and shoulders. It is used to felicitate guests, relatives and elders as a gift of honour, offered at the altar of Bathou Borai, and given to warriors to honour their valour.

History & Cultural Context

Aronai has been part of Bodo culture since time immemorial and occupies a very significant position in the Bodo legacy. The making of Aronai symbolises the weaver’s dedication and creative process, with designs inspired by nature and community sentiment. It is offered to guests and elders on the festive occasion of Bwisagu (the Bodo New Year in April), used in the Bagurumba dance, and given during special occasions such as a marriage proposal. The freshly woven Aronai is offered at the altar of Bathou Borai — the Bodo religious tree Sijou — in the belief that its spiritual power will protect the warriors.

Process & Techniques

Aronai is produced entirely on the handloom by Bodo women, who decorate and design it with attractive embroideries known as Agors. The entire piece, for a warrior, is traditionally woven in a single night from fresh cotton thread with all the sacred motifs intricately placed.

Traditional Knowledge

The distinctive Agor motifs — Hajw Agor, Bandhuram Agor and Shikri Agor (a butterfly-like design) — are considered identity-markers of Bodo ethnicity. At a deeper level the Aronai symbolises feminine power with implied meanings of healing, protecting and nurturing, and is the Bodo traditional symbol of love and respect.

GI Registration Details

GI Number

GI 644

Application No.

644

Class

Class 24

Filing Date

29 August 2022

Registration Date

October 2024

Registered Applicant

Association of Bodo Traditional Weavers

Facilitated By

Bodo Culture and Heritage Preservation Board (BCHPB)

Geographic Origin

Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), Assam

Verification Status: VERIFIED

The Trust does not own these GI registrations. GI applicant/registered proprietor information is displayed as documented.