Assam is the meeting place of different ethnic groups. We have a distinct identity in the world court of Assam, which is bound by the threads of unity of different ethnic groups. Different cultures of different communities, food items, etc., also have their own characteristics.
Similarly, the Tai Ahoms continue to carry royal individuality by tying the history of the glorious reign of 600 years to their chests. The Tai Ahoms also have their own food, lifestyle and traditional attire. Today let’s know some things about the traditional attire of the Ahoms.
Do you know that before the arrival of the Tai, brown yarn was not in vogue in Assam (even though the blue silk cloth is in vogue in other states of India other than Assam) brown cloth is not in vogue) Brown cloth is an invaluable contribution to Assamese culture. Due to its connection with the climate of Assam, the rearing of muga worm was started here, which is made by cutting the loose thread after the pulu was filled.
This outfit, traditionally worn by Ahom women, features
1) Fa-Su (Chola)”
2) Fa-sin” (mekhela) (can also be called “fa-noi/rem” since it is not attached in the shape of a horn like the Assamese mekhela),
3) Fa-Chit (Seleng),
4) Fa-ru (dead on the head)
It is worth mentioning that the Tai women used to wear this dress in everyday life in the past, but today it is seen to be worn in religious ceremonies such as May-Dam-Me-Phi, Jasingpha Puja, Sukaphaa Diwas, etc. And the daily use of the household, wearing cotton cloth when going to a neighbour’s house. In a similar way, the Tai-Ahoms can also wear cotton cloth in other cases by wearing khati silk, nooni or tas muga (silk), or tas muga (blended silk) in chaklang or festivals.
In parallel, men also wear garments made of brown yarn. For men
1) “Fa-Su” (Chola),
2) “Kanken” (Potlung),
3) Fa-Chit (Seleng),
4) Fa-ru (dead on the head),
5) Fa-bin-Bai-Ram (Tongali)
And a bag.
While the fa-dai of married women; Lang Wat, Nang Wat or Riha Tai is a traditional attire. Since she doesn’t take vermilion, tai women’s riha is a revered main textile or ornament of mundane life. Ahom women and girls also wear a female chap-con on the upper part of the waist. It is usually a long hand. They are also seen wrapping a riha over the upper part of the body and on the body to cover it up to the knees instead of the chap-con or chap-con. The Ahom married ones did not take the veil and instead of the veils they wore fossaus.