Architecture of Byre (Gohali)

The architecture of gohali, especially the platform variety, is a distinctive architecture of the Assamese homestead. The gohali is another indispensible architecture of the agrarian Assamese society, irrespective of tribe and caste. This architecture is generally constructed little away from the residential buildings along one of the side of campus or the chotal. This architecture is constructed in such a way that it remains in close vision of the eye, yet it is made little secluded in such a way that the cowherd does not engross the main courtyard but can easily be approached from the same. The architecture, also known as goli, is usually a rectangular and gable roofed structure, traditionally constructed to the southern side of the chotal. The Bodos however, construct the cowshed in the southeast corner and near to the granary that does not possess enclosing walls (Narzi:2001).

The architecture of the gohali is of two types-the earth-fast and the other is stilt variety. The earth-fast variety, constructed on earthen plinth, possesses the little raised kacha-pithia bheti or tortoise back type earthen floor, to facilitate smooth flowing of the urine from the plinth. The general construction of this architecture resembles to that of a normal residential architecture.

The second type, called chang-gohali, is a very typical as well as functional architecture, which is constructed on platform. Mostly prevalent in the Lower Assam region, the type occasionally performs dual functions, in different seasons of the year. Thus, while during the rainy season, the cowherd is kept in the raised platform, in the winter, the same platform may used to store hay temporarily. The architecture becomes very functional during the rainy season when, the soil becomes soggy to tether the animals on ground. But, the perforated platform that remains dry and hygienic even in this season and becomes ideal for the animals. Moreover, during this season the danger from different insects, mosquito, and gadfly intensifies and the interstices in platform facilitates fogging from below the platform which repels the mosquito and insects from the cowshed. Thus, this style of cowshed proves very functional and appropriate for the region.

The main structure of the gohali is erected in the similar fashion like the residential houses. Then, there construct a frame to hold the platform, usually on rows of bamboo or wooden posts known as tal-khuta. The kans of these posts support the breadth wise tie beams, which in turn bear the closely placed lengthwise bamboos known as suchi. Up to this portion, the technique resembles to the construction of granary. Then above these suchi, there lay usually the split pieces of areca nut tree trunk that is called pat. For the purpose, the trunk is split into 2 to 4 pieces and the inner flabby part of the splits are removed and moulded. These split trunk are then laid closely one after another in breadth wise direction. They are then secured well through placing five kamis from above. After this, all the sides of the platform are enclosed with fences of thickly woven sturdy bamboo splinters. Another fence of knee-height, fitted with bamboo capping, is added around 2 feet inside the surrounding wall in lengthwise sides. This is known as the khuwar, where grass and hay are served to the animals.

The architecture is fitted with a wooden ramp known as hermal or heram to facilitate the entry of the animals. To attach the ramp, an area of the platform, measuring about 3 feet in breadth, recedes few feet in one side. In this recessed part, there embed two rows of bamboo posts of successive height to reach the height of the platform. However, to level the end of the ramp with the platform, the height of these posts is kept little lower. It is because, above the rows of posts, a round bamboo is placed, which in turn holds back breadth wise pieces of small tree trunk. The initial log of the ramp towards the ground is usually little larger, which is levelled to the ground with an earthen slope. Outside the first piece of the tree trunk of the ramp, two pieces of large kamis are embedded and tied over the logs by bending them over the first log, by slightly beating at the bent. Additional posts are embedded near these kamis to prevent skidding of the kami and logs. The round pieces of log in the ramp or the wavy platform surface prevents skidding of the animal’s hoofs. The entry of the ramp is filled with soil for easy entry of animals. Sometimes, the space below the ramp is enclosed with fence where calves are kept.

This architecture is the sole architecture in the homestead, which is renovated or repaired every year. To be more precise, the platform and the approaching ramp is renewed every year before the starting of the rainy season. After reconstruction of the architecture, as prevalent in some areas, a ritual (house warming), known as the golirnam or gohalir nam is arranged for the well-being of the animals. The Rakhal Puja of the Goalpara region, Garakhiya sabah of the Upper Assam and the Gopal Sewa of the Lower Assam region are some similar institution (Das & Rajbongshi:2006).