Traditional Assamese jewellery, known as ‘axomiya gohona', which has secured the geographical indication (GI) tag recognition, is known to have existed for at least 1,000 years and is mentioned in various remarkable historical works by eminent writers.

CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on shared the news of Axomiya Gohona receiving the GI tag in a post on ‘X' handle, saying, "I distinctly remember that in the 2018-19 budget, we proposed to secure the GI tag to protect our artisans. Happy to see these efforts have been realised."

The Gems and Jewellery Promotion Council of Assam (GJPCA), with the process facilitated by the Assam Science and Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC), submitted the application to the Geographical Indications Registry under the Intellectual Property Office two years ago, in 2022.

GJPCA stated in the application that ‘Axomiya Gohona' is a collection of handcrafted traditional necklaces, earrings, bracelets and finger rings that reflect Assam's flora, fauna, musical instruments and cultural artefacts. The gold ornaments are characterised by vibrant red, black, green, blue and white gemstones and enamel.

The intricate designs include motifs of birds like the fan-tailed pigeon (Lokaparo) and hawk eagle (Hensorai); traditional musical instruments such as the drums (Dhol) and horn pipe pair (Juripepa); animals like the household lizard (Jethi) and cultural symbols such as the Assamese headgear (Japi), crescent moon (Jun), and boat (Bena).

The promotion council said references to gold in Assam in the early period are found in the writings of classical writers, including the ‘Arthasastra', where reference is made to a place called ‘Suvarnakudya' in Kamarupa.

"The manufacture of gold ornaments, as well as gold-washing, flourished in medieval Assam during the reign of the Ahom dynasty. Gold dust was abundantly found in the sands of different rivers of the state, but mainly from the river Subansiri, one of the major tributaries of the Brahmaputra. During the rule of the Ahom kings, gold-washing on the banks of the Subansiri (meaning 'flow of gold') was a major profession of the Sonowal Kacharis," the council stated.

It further stated that "The Gold Silver Wares of Assam, A Monograph" by FC Henniker published in 1905, "A Cultural History of Assam (Early Period) (Volume I)" by Birinchi Kumar Barua published in 1951, and "Notes on Some Industries of Assam from 1884 to 1895" by Henry Zouch Darrah, Edward Stack, Edward Albert Gait, published in 1896, are a few of the historical evidences where references to gold ornaments in Assam in the earliest times can be found.

In the document submitted to the Geographical Indications Registry, the GJPCA stated that there are 24 different unique designs of 'Axomiya Gohona' in the state. It further stated that there are nine other designs, which have either become obsolete or are not produced on a large scale now.

The district of Barpeta in lower Assam, Nagaon in central Assam, and Jorhat in upper Assam are the major production districts with a large number of production units of the jewellery.

Courtesy: AOJ Desk News