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Patra, The also known as Pathor or Pator, is a small tribe living in the greater sylhet area of Bangladesh. They were mentioned as Chutiya in RM Nath's Background of Assamese Culture (1948). In local land records of Sylhet they are mentioned as khasia. But they are different in physique and complexion and are not as sturdy as Khasias. In their own language, Patras call their tribe Laleng. There is a lack of clarity about their religious belief and ethnic identity. A section of them show Mongolian features. The Patra villages are now part of the Sylhet Sadar and gowainghat upazilas. In 1971, some Patras lived in Assam, Meghalaya and Kachar. In 1991, 402 Patra families with a total population of 2,033 lived in 19 villages of Sylhet district. About 54% of them were men and 46% women. Patras identify themselves as Hindus and worship Kali, Manasa, Lakshmi and Saraswati but the Patra families do not have idols of these deities in their houses as the Hindu families usually do.
The religious rites and rituals of Patras reflect a combination
of tribal and Hindu beliefs. This is particularly true in their ceremonies
that mark births and deaths. Patras practise two types of marriage: Sitakkhi
and Taitakkhi. Sitakkhi is a kind of forcible marriage, which
is also known as Chhaibhashma. Taitakkhi marriage is close to Hindu
marriage. The Patra society is patriarchal. Only sons inherit father's
property. If a Patra does not have a son, his brothers or sons of his
brothers become the heirs. [Sadat Ullah Khan] |
