Elderly people of the Asur tribes, who believe in a mixture of animism, animatism, naturalism and ancestral worships, do not want to become burden upon their young generations. They keep themselves engaged in any kind of work till they fell on the bed or become physically unable. Mostly, the elderly people keep themselves engaged in making carpets, baskets, umbrella and other house hold goods.
One of the main defining identities of the Asur’s culture is that boy gets married at the age between 12 to 15 years and soon after the marriage, the new couple starts living in a separate house, which is next to his parents’ house. But elderly people used to keep watch on the youngers’. Notably, Asur- a tiny tribe threatened with extinction hails from one of the most ancient ethnic groups. They are said to be a descendant of Mahishasur (a demon king); they do not worship any god. Asur believes all gods and goddesses “illegally joined hands” to kill Mahishasur.
According to the mythology, Mahishasur was the most powerful man in the two universes (Swarga and Prithvi). “The God (Devas) knew that if he lived for long, human beings would stop worshipping them, so they joined hands and killed him through deceit,” said Chamru Asur (82).
Believes in the mythology of the demon-killing by the goddess, Asur people used to lock themselves inside their homes from sunrise to sunset during Durga Puja. Windows or any opening are barred and pasted over to keep away the sun light.
“We hate the gods and goddesses. As our forefathers stopped to worshipping the gods and we are strictly following them. We have learnt from our forefathers that gods can do no good to anybody. They only aim to get worshipped, at any cost,” he said.
The Asurs worship only their ancestors or nature, offering them haria (rice beer) and chicken on a sacred day. They also believe in black magic like Bhut-pret and witchcraft. Singbonga is the chief deity of the Asur while the other deities are Dharati Mata, Duari, Patdaraha and Turi Husid.
Asurs celebrate festivals like Sarhul, Karma, Dhanbuni, Kadelta, Rajj Karma, Dasahara Karam, Khalihani Puja, Goraiya Puja including others; sacrifices goat, chicks, duck and eggs at the time of worship to please the deity.
Now some Asurs have adopted Christianity.