Temple Priests

Hindu Assamese priests, called Ateos, play a critical role in any ceremony whether it is held at home or in namghars, Assamese temple. Young Ateos begin their training at a very young age, some abandoning their rural upbringing to join competitive apprenticeships in big cities, such as this one in Chenikuthi, Guwahati.

At a typical prayer, seated on the floor face-to-face in a rectangle, Ateos take turns to sing from the Kirtan (Assam's principal Hindu text) and to lead people in prayer and song. While enraptured in verse, Ateos will usually have their back to the audience so that mostly all one can see is the decoratively bright red-white Assamese gamoosa (cotton garment) wrapped around their torso.