Draft:Tamol in Assamese Culture

Tamol (Assamese: তামোল), or areca nut, holds significant cultural, social, and religious importance in Assamese culture. It is widely used across Assam in everyday life, traditional rituals, and social interactions. Often paired with paan (betel leaf), tamol symbolizes respect, hospitality, and auspiciousness.

Cultural Significance

In Assam, offering tamul-paan to guests is a long-standing tradition and is considered a gesture of warm welcome and respect. It is a cultural identity, especially present in weddings, religious ceremonies, and community gatherings.

Religious and Ritual Use

Tamol-paan is considered indispensable in Assamese religious practices. Visitors to temples and naamghars, especially during Bihu, Durga Puja, and death rituals, commonly bring and offer it. The areca nut often functions as a fertility symbol and part of ancestral rites.

Symbolism

Tamol represents prosperity, purity, and social bonding. It is typically presented in containers such as xorai or bota, and used during ceremonial gifting (‘'xoron‑diya) and other felicitations.

Health and Social Aspects

Despite its cultural importance, chewing tamol—especially when combined with slaked lime (khun) or tobacco—poses health risks and can lead to dependence.

Modern Adaptations

Commercially packaged tamol-paan is now sold widely, yet the traditional presentation—fresh nut with paan in a xorai—persists at cultural events and household rituals.

See also

• Xorai
• Culture of Assam
• Betel nut
• Bihu

References

This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.

Categories:

• Culture of Assam
• Indian traditions