The Deoris are one of the four divisions of the Chutiyas, which belongs to the Bodo race. The Deoris were the priests of the Chutiyas. They speak both the Deori and the Assamese language. The present habitations of the Deoris are found in the riverine areas of Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, Jorhat and Sonitpur districts of Assam. Their staple food is rice and rice beer.
The Deori community is divided into four broad divisions, namely – ‘Dibangia’, Tengaponia’, ‘Borgonya’ and ‘Patargoyan’. Their villages are generally situated in the rivirine areas with fertile lands. Their traditional houses are built in East West direction, with the doors opening to the East. These houses are basically constructed on a bamboo platform, about five feet above the ground. The main occupation of the Deoris is agriculture. However, fishing is another common activity, that is seen in the winter season.
The Deori people gives much importance to their religion. For the smooth functioning of the religious activities, their priests are divided into four divisions, namely – ‘Bor Deori’, ‘Saru Deori’, ‘Bor Bharali’ and ‘Saru Bharali’. Their common place of worship is called ‘Than’ and all the sections of Deori tribe worship ‘Lord Shiva’ and ‘Parvati’ as their chief deities. They call their chief diety ‘Kundi Marha’ and offers sacrifices to him. The Deoris have four different forms of marriages – ‘Soru Biya’, ‘Maju Biya’, ‘Bor Biya’ and ‘Gandharba Biya’. The system of accepting dowry is prevalent among this tribe of Assam.
The Deori people observes two major festivals in a year. They are ‘Bohar Bihu’ or ‘Bohagiyo Bishu’ and ‘Magh Bihu’ or ‘Maghiyo Bishu’. Sacrifice of goat and the ‘Deodhani dance’ are important parts of their Bihu celebrations. ‘Deodhani Dance’ is a religious dance performed by the females of Deori tribe.