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Dimasa Attire
Dimasa girls wearing Rijamphain beren, rigu and rikhaosa. Image Source: Pilpili Bathari
The Dimasa people are a relatively small indigenous tribe in India’s North-East region who possess a rich and vibrant cultural tradition deeply rooted in their history. They primarily reside in Assam, Nagaland and Manipur; with a majority living in Assam, particularly in the Dima Hasao district (formerly North Cachar Hills) and the adjoining areas of Karbi Anglong. The Dimasa language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family and is sub-classified under the Bodo-Garo group of languages. Dimasas have several dialects and variations in speech based on the geographical distribution. The Hasao dialect, spoken in Dima Hasao region of Assam, is one of the prominent dialects within the Dimasa language.
A Dimasa bride. Image Source: Pilpili Bathari
The traditional attire worn by the Dimasa women is a combination of 3-piece clothing which includes a Rigu, Rijamphain and a Rikhaosa. The Rigu is a wrap-around skirt that features rikhu (designs) woven at the bottom of the cloth. Along with Rigu, Dimasa women wear a plain chest wrapper called Rijamphain. The Rijamphain beren is another garment used to cover the torso, best known for its distinctive stripes. It features a broad white portion and colourful stripes in hues of yellow, orange, green, black and red. It is mostly worn during special occasions like Dishengba (wedding ceremony), Busu (harvest festival), and while performing the Baidima (traditional Dimasa dance).
Rikhaosa is a long and broad scarf used for covering the upper part of the body by both men and women. These scarves are fabricated in a vibrant range of colours, with yellow being the most common. Eri silk and cotton yarns have been historically popular for weaving various Dimasa traditional wear, however, in recent times cotton yarn has been replaced by more accessible and affordable synthetic yarns like polyester and nylon.
Dimasa girls in colourful Rigu sets. Image Source: Sneha Longmailai
The Rigu set is a modern clothing style adopted by the Dimasa people that combines the elements of traditional wear with contemporary fashion. This two-piece set includes the Rigu and a draped cloth that resembles the Assamese Mekhela Chador but has distinct designs and elements specific to Dimasa culture. The most common designs are Bathormai (parrot’s beak with one-line motif), Baitha (Paddle/ Boat oar), and Nagurlai (fish scale).
Seen here are the Rigu, Rijamphain beren, Rikhaosa along with accessories like Chandrawal, Jongsama, Khadu, Rangbarsha, and Phowal. Image Source: Pilpili Bathari
Ornaments and accessories play a significant role in enhancing the attire of Dimasa women. Some of the most common ones are: Phowal (necklace made of coral and silver metal beads), Jongsama (necklace made of plastic microbeads), Rangbarsha (necklace made of coins), Chandrawal (necklace made of three-silver chains with a floral shape), Rmailik (necklace made of plastic microbeads, with patterns similar to that of the Rijamphain beren), Khadu (silver bangle), Khamaothai (silver/gold earring), and Yaoshidam (finger-ring).
Dimasa men and women during Busu Dima celebrations. The men can be seen wearing Risha (short loincloth) and Rigdo (which is worn here as a sash and a headscarf). Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
The Risha is an important part of the traditional Dimasa male attire. It is a short knee-length loincloth which is secured around the waist. It serves as an everyday clothing for men, as it is practical and comfortable for domestic use. Rigdo is a scarf used by both men and women, and the Remshou is a shawl only used by the Dimasa men. The Remshou is woven from cotton and mostly worn during winters to stay warm. Sgaopha is a white turban, tied to the chin with a red ribbon. The colour white symbolises purity, while the red ribbon represents spiritual significance. This headgear is exclusively worn by men, especially during significant events and religious rituals. The Dimasa men only wear two specific types of ornaments, namely, Yaocher and Kharik.
The Dimasa traditional attire is a multifaceted aspect of their cultural heritage, serving not only as clothing but as a representation of their identity and artistic expression.
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