Architecture and Technique of Barn

The granary, for the storing of rice grain, is a prime and integral architecture of the homestead in general. This architecture or its size is seen as a symbol of the economic affluence of a family. The importance of the architecture can be inferred from the fact that, according to the tradition prevalent among the Bodos, the granary is constructed first and foremost to the east of the chotal (Narzi:2001) . Though the bharal is gradually replacing by big duli (big bamboo container) in many a families now a days, it still plays a pivotal role among the agrarian villagers. The traditional architecture of the granary is typical and roughly uniform in design and construction across the communities. Notwithstanding, the traditional architecture of the granary is very functional and appropriate for the topography and environment of the region.

In the valley, the granary is a platform architecture. The main structure or the roof of this architecture is similar to the residential building. But, there construct a strong platform at certain height from the ground. This platform rests on some solid base of log, stone or brick-concrete pillars or bamboo posts. These pillars support the bamboo or timber tie beams above which, there closely lay some round or half split bamboo in opposite direction. These members, known as the sushi, are secured well with the beams below. And above the sushi, the platform is covered entirely with bamboo woven mat or chuch and secure tightly using kami. Above this platform, walls are constructed in four sides, leaving a small entrance at the top side of the front wall. Then all the juncture and corners of the vertical walls and the platforms are wrapped thoroughly from inner side using chuch. Additional kamis as well as round bamboo are attached from both sides at certain interval in the walls to provide additional strength and security. The inner space is partitioned using similar but little squatter walls, to make compartments to facilitate storing of varieties of rice.

After finishing of the wall construction, the walls are plastered thoroughly. For plastering the granary walls, the cow dung is mixed in larger proportion with clay. And often, the inner side of the walls are plastered with sole cow dung. Plastering blocks and closes the gaps in the walls and prevents passing of food grain. In the upper part of the walls, there attach bamboo lattice (silinga) to facilitate proper aeration and seasoning of food grain. There attach a sling door in the opening of the wall.

Though there are considerable similarity in general construction technique, design and form between a traditional Assamese granary and a granary of the tribal communities like Bodo, Rabha etc, there remain certain minute variations. Thus, though a granary of Assamese and Bodo is externally similar, the walls in a Bodo granary are constructed little inside the platform, leaving a protruding shelf around at the bottom of the walls. Similarly, the Rabhas in some instances possess two separate granaries-the principal and the subsidiary granary. The principal granary, known as chang, is similar to an Assamese or Bodo granary, but the corners of the walls are rounded. In the principal granary, they keep the rice varieties used for regular consumption, while in the subsidiary one; they keep the varieties of joha, bora, etc. The subsidiary bharal is a separate structure, where they keep duli or demni, to store food grains.