Bonbibi'r Johurnama

Following on Dukhe’s story, the islanders of the Sundarbans, often explain that they have to identify with Dukhe, whose unfailing belief in Bonbibi saved him, and consider the forest as being only for those who are poor and for those who have no intention of taking more than what they need to survive. This is the ‘agreement’ between non-humans and humans that permits them both to depend on the forest and yet respect the others’ needs. The ‘pure heart’ means that they have to enter the forest without any greedy or violent disposition, the ‘empty hands’ mean they have to enter the forest without firearms and only if they do not possess riches or own land. It was only if they honoured their part of the agreement and left the forest and its resources to those who are dispossessed that tigers would respect their part of this arrangement worked out by Bonbibi explained the islanders.

Bonbibi’s story is not very old. The Bonbibi Johurnama, the booklet that narrates her story – was written by one little-known Abdur Rahim towards the end of the 1800s, and is written, although in Bengali, from back to front to emulate the Arabic script. The story between the Ghazi and Dokkhin Rai is more famous. The story is a version of an epic poem called Ray-Mangal composed by Krishnaram Das in 1686 (it thus predates that of Bonbibi by a couple of hundred years). The historian Richard Eaton believes that this story is a ‘personified memory of the penetration of these same forests by Muslim pioneers’ i.e. Sufi holy men (read his excellent The rise of Islam and the Bengal frontier 1204–1760 for more info on how Bengal was Islamised – not through the sword but through agriculture). Today, Dokkhin Rai and the Ghazi are always represented together – marked in Dokkhin Rai’s case by the symbol of a human head and the Ghazi through his tomb represented by a little earthen mound (these are also always present in the Bonobibi shrines). The Johurnama is clear: Bonbibi protects all God’s creatures who seek her protection and aid. After her successful battle with narayani, she permanently settled in Bhurkhunda. There is a ‘thaan of Bonbibi’ (place of worship) under a tree near Hasnabad. Somebody would worship this particular deity after the fulfillment of their ‘manat’ (wish). According to some, the real Bhurkhunda was within the Bagmara block. The ‘Kedokhali Island’, from where Dukhe was rescued by Bonbibi is not far from this place.

Let us look at the most important figures from The Johurnama.

Dokhhinrai: After Bonbibi, the next important figure is that of Dokkhinrai. There are many variations of opinions regarding him. Just as Bonbibi is regarded as a Hindu goddess, and some say she is a follower of Islam and its preacher. Similarly, some consider Dokhhinrai to be the descendants of Pratapadiya. Whereas some are found saying that he is the imaginary result in a Godly form by the ancient forest dwellers. Historians have argued about the emergence of Dokhhinrai to be around the same time as during the Maurya reign. His father was Dondo Rokhho. His mother was known as Raimoni. She was an occult spiritual practitioner and a great fighter. After his father’s death Dokhhinrai became the ‘odhiswar’ (owner) of the atharo bhatir desh (land of the eighteen tides). He also became an occult practitioner influenced by his mother. As legend goes, he was a gorgeous man who was as handsome as ‘Karthik’ (handsome son of goddess Parvati as per as Hindu mythology). He had glowy golden skin and was mighty. He is seen on a horse or a tiger. Has a mighty, soldier like framework. Possesses a big moustache. Armed with war weapons. He was and is the owner of the wax, honey and other forest products and every animals in the forest are to abide him. And as Sunderbans is the land of the Royal Bengal Tigers, no wonder he is worshipped as the god of the tigers. The labourers of the area, who make a living out of the forest products, bows to and worships Dokhhinrai before venturing out into the forest.

Image of Dokhhinrai

Shah Jongli: He is known to be the brother of Bonbibi. His statue is seen in seated form beside Bonbibi. He has a greenish yellow toned skin, has a red ‘chadar’ over his chest, rounded face and ears are somewhat hidden under his hair. He also has parted, shiny black hair, wears a headgear. Sometimes seen wearing a half jacket.  

Clay figure of Shah Jongli alongside Bonbibi

 

Barkhan Ghazi: Hazrat gazi is popularly known by various names such as Ghazi Baba, Ghazi Shaheb, Barkhan Ghazi and Mubarak Shah Ghazi. Said to have saved Dokhhinrai from the wrath of Ma Bonbibi.

Image of Barkhan Ghazi

Narayani: Mother of Dokhhinrai. She fought with Bonbibi and later accepted her as a friend.