Ahom Religion
Ahoms follow an animist form of Tai religion based on ancestral worship and belief in natural spirits. Despite their association with Orthodox Brahmins, no traces of Hinduism or Buddhism can be found in their native Ahom religion (M'Cosh 1837:20).
Ahom religion is centered around belief in khwan and phi. The khwan (ขวัญ) refers to one’s vital life or spiritual health and can be compared to the Chinese concept of qi. When khwan is disturbed, rituals such as rik-khwan are performed to restore vitality.
Phi refers to spirits. Forests, rivers, mountains, and even houses possess spirits. The most powerful among them are ancestral spirits known as Chāo Phi-Dām, the household guardians.
Even after losing their language, this belief on ancestral spirits wasn't entirely wiped out, as the Ahom priests say in Assamese languagesaal'a narakhe, ber'a narakhe; narakhe idokho'r deo;
ghoror dam deo narakhile, rakhuta nai keo Neither walls nor gods protect a family—only the ancestral spirits do.
Aside from Phi Dām (ancestral spirits) Ahoms also have Phi Bāan or the village guardian spirit. It is believed that Chao Phi Ban protecs the village from all kinds of harm. Then there are the water spirits Phi Nâm and lot of original Tai festivals actually started as a means to worship the water spirits or to invoke rain for harvest, protect from floods, etc. But because of Hindu-Buddhist superimposition lot of original Tai culture was lost and got badly distorted. We will talk about Dai Ahom religion, and some key-terms in detail in this article
Máe Dām Máe Phi
Máe Dām Máe Phi is the most important ritual in Ahom religion, where offerings are made to ancestral spirits for protection and guidance.
Máe means prepare, Dām means the dead, and Phi means spirit — or literally to prepare offerings for the tutelary dead spirits. Meat such as beef, pork, and fowl are offered along with traditional rice beer. Once the spirits have taken the spiritual essence of the offering, mortals may consume the earthly remains.
Ahom Philosophy
Ahom philosophy emphasizes legacy and continuity. Life is not an accident but a means to uphold ancestral purpose.
Your ancestors existed — and you are the proof. Their blood flows in you. Faith in oneself begins with faith in one’s ancestors.
You are the wealth your ancestors left behind.