GI for the Assamese Gamosa

Spicy IP reports that ‘The Indian Chamber of Commerce is set to file applications seeking Geographical Indication Registration for the distinctive Assamese gamosa.’

Not a particularly important piece of news but it brought a smile to my face. The Gamosa is an integral part of Assamese culture. Literally, it means a towel (to wipe the body with) but it has acquired a far more important place in the Assamese psyche than would be accorded to a mere towel. (I’m trying to avoid using phrases like ‘the hearts of the Assamese people’ here.)

In addition to its obvious uses, as Wikipedia points out, “it is hung around the neck at the prayer hall and was thrown over the shoulder in the past to signify social status. Guests are welcomed with the offering of a gamosa and tamul (betel nut) and elders are offered gamosas (bihuwaan) during Bihu. It is used to cover the altar at the prayer hall or cover the scriptures. An object of reverence is never placed on the bare ground, but always on a gamosa. One can therefore, very well say, that the gamosa symbolizes the life and culture of Assam.”

Photo: Deepraj