A Study Of Living Megaliths Among The Karbi Of Khamar, Assam

Abstract

This paper explores the living megalithic tradition of Khamar village under the Dimoria zone of Assam, focusing on three important sites: the royal megalithic field, the commoners’ memorial field, and the dolmen site. The Karbi people of Khamar have maintained their ancestral practice of erecting megaliths as commemorative stones after the death of family members. While the royal family continues to use large, traditional stone monuments, the common villagers have started using smaller and even concrete megaliths due to changing social and physical conditions. Despite these changes, the core rituals remain the same, showing cultural continuity. The dolmen site serves both religious and historical roles. It is the place of their local deity ‘Burhamal Gukhai’ and observed ‘Burhamal Gukhai Puja’ (a local ritual) that brings together different ethnic groups such as the Bodo, Tiwa, Koch, and Assamese communities. This reflects cultural assimilation and shared ritual practices.  The study uses anthropological methods like quasi-participant observation and interviews, along with archaeological exploration to collect field data. It highlights how megaliths in Khamar are not just stones, but carriers of memory, identity, and collective tradition. This paper concludes that while the form and material of megaliths may change over time, their cultural importance and ritual significance remain deeply rooted among the Karbis of Khamar and neighbouring communities