Bodo

Bodo refers to an ethnolinguistic community in Northeast India, primarily in Assam, with smaller populations in neighboring states. They are part of the Bodo-Kachari group, which belongs to the broader Tibeto-Burman linguistic family. The Bodo are among the region's largest indigenous communities and have a long history in the Brahmaputra valley.

The Bodo language, also called Bodo, is an East Bodish language within Tibeto-Burman. It has several dialects and is written mainly in the Devanagari script; Latin script is increasingly used in education and media. Bodo is one of the scheduled languages of India and enjoys official recognition in Assam and in the Bodoland Territorial Region.

Bathouism is the traditional faith, centering on ancestral worship and the Bathou (sacred shrub) idol. Many Bodo people also practice Hinduism, Christianity, and, to a lesser extent, Islam. The community maintains rich folk traditions in music, dance, and weaving. Bwisagu, a spring festival, marks the New Year and is widely celebrated.

The Bodo heartland is in the Bodoland region of Assam, including Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, and Udalguri districts. In 2003, negotiations led to the Bodoland Accord and the creation of the Bodoland Territorial Council to govern the Bodoland Territorial Region within Assam.