Bonbibi
Bonbibi, is a legendary lady of the forest, dubbed as a guardian spirit of the forests and venerated by both the Hindu and the Muslim residents of the Sundarbans. She is called upon mostly by the honey-collectors and the woodcutters before entering the forest for protection against the attacks from the tigers. It is believed that the demon king, Dakkhin Rai, an arch-enemy of Bonbibi actually appears in the disguise of a tiger and attacks human beings.
Religious Identity and Interfaith Practices
Bonbibi is regarded as a folk Islamic figure, yet her veneration crosses religious boundaries. She is worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims, who participate in shared rituals, recite common mythological narratives, and join together in annual celebrations.While some scholars have referred to Bonbibi as a forest deity, her cult distinguishes her from classical Hindu forest goddesses such as Bandevi. Unlike Bandevi, Bonbibi is not linked to traditional Hindu iconography and is never worshipped alone. Instead, her presence is contextualized within a broader mythological framework that includes characters such as her brother Shah Jangali, her rival Dakshin Ray, the pious Bar Khan Gazi, and the devout figure Ali Madap.
According to a field study conducted in Namkhana Block, 88% of respondents identified Bonbibi as their saviour during moments of crisis. This group included 56% Hindus and 32% Muslims, indicating her widespread acceptance across religious communities. Her presence in public consciousness tends to intensify after disasters. For instance, after the devastating Cyclone Aila in 2009, many locals expressed gratitude that the destruction was not worse and attributed their survival to the divine protection of Bonbibi.
Iconography
The earliest forms of Bonbibi worship were aniconic, conducted through small earthen mounds known as thān. Over time, visual representations of Bonbibi became more common. These representations, known as chhalan, incorporate both Hindu and Islamic stylistic elements. Her predominantly Hindu images are found as wearing a crown and garland, carrying a club and trishul and her vahana is a tiger. She is venerated by her Muslim followers as Bonbibi and she is known as a pirani. Her predominantly Muslim images are found with braided hair, wearing a cap with a tikli. She wears ghagra and pyjama and a pair of shoes.Importantly, Bonbibi is never depicted alone in iconography. Standard visual groupings typically feature five key figures: Bonbibi herself, her brother Shah Jangali, Bar Khan Gazi, Ali Madap, and Dakshin Ray, who is frequently portrayed as a tiger. These iconographic arrangements vary significantly across local traditions and reflect the fluid creativity of folk imagination rather than adherence to any standardized religious canon.
Ritual Practices
Worship of Bonbibi occurs through both public and private rituals. Public rituals are usually conducted outside the forest, particularly before expeditions and on the first day of the Bengali month of Magh, which marks a communal celebration of Bonbibi. These ceremonies involve offerings such as batasa and shirni, and often include recitations from the Bonbibi Johuranama, also known as the Bonbibir punthi, which is the principal folk text associated with her cult.Private rituals are more intimate and typically take place within the forest during expeditions. These ceremonies are led by ritual specialists known as Gunin, Faqir, or Baule. These individuals are believed to possess protective powers and are entrusted with reciting mantras to safeguard expedition teams, particularly from the threat of tiger attacks. The mantras employed in these rituals are categorized into three types: Hukumer mantras, which are learned from a preceptor or religious authority; Paona mantras, which are received through dreams or divine visions; and Guner mantras, which are obtained through personal experimentation or gathered from various sources.
Strict codes of ritual purity and cohesion among expedition members are maintained to ensure the success of the rites. These practices include wearing amulets, singing folk songs, and making offerings such as hens, rice, or sweets. Red flags are often placed at forest boundaries as a protective gesture. Hens may be released into the forest as a form of symbolic sacrifice. During these periods, couples abstain from intimacy while the men are away in the forest. Doors are kept open at home, and women avoid wearing sindur as a sign of vulnerability and devotion.
In terms of religious representation, Hindus often construct clay statues of Bonbibi, while Muslims, who typically avoid idol worship, honor her by erecting red flags and placing floral garlands on mounds.
Festivals and Fairs
A major annual celebration dedicated to Bonbibi is the Jatal Puja, observed during the Bengali month of Magh. In the village of Holdia in Joynagar, located in the South 24 Parganas district, a three-day fair has been organized by the Mandal family for approximately 250 years. This longstanding tradition highlights Bonbibi’s integral role in the cultural identity of the region.Festivities include musical performances, traditional masks, folk plays, and exhibitions of artisanal crafts. Another major festival takes place on January 14 each year. On this day, devotees travel by boat to the edge of the forest where they perform rituals, offer prayers, and organize community celebrations. These include cultural fairs featuring ballads, music, and plays such as Dukher Banabas and Boner Ma Bonbibi. These performances are not merely entertainment but act as vehicles for reinforcing cultural solidarity, environmental awareness, and communal ethics.