Significance of Non-Timber Forest Produces with a Special Reference to Banana Plant in the Animistic Religious Practices: A Micro Study on the Karbis in Karbi Anglong, Assam

Every culture irrespective of its simplicity and complexity has its own concept of religious belief and practices. The Karbis are the early settlers of Karbi Anglong district, Assam. Most of them are animistic regarding their religious belief and practices in daily livelihood. The present study examined the use of minor forest products in religious practices of the Karbis. It discussed the significance of NTFPs, with a special reference to the banana plant, as used in a number of their rituals. The data were collected through empirical fieldwork by applying appropriate anthropological research methods. It has been found that different forest resources are immensely important in the cultural and religious practices of the studied people. In this regard, different NTFPs and banana plants are inseparable in such rituals and cultural traditions.