Asanbibi

What it is

Asanbibi is a folk goddess worshipped in southern Bengal. She is never invoked alone but appears as part of a collective known as the Satbibis, meaning the seven ladies. This group includes her five named sisters and herself. The sisters have specific domains, such as Olabibi who is associated with cholera. While they are distinct figures in local belief, they function together as a single unit of worship within the region's spiritual landscape.

Where it comes from

Scholars have proposed that the Satbibis are later forms of the Saptamatrikas, a group of mother goddesses in Hinduism including Brahmi and Maheshvari. However, this connection is disputed because there is almost no visible similarity between the ancient mother goddesses and the modern Satbibis. Some researchers point to prehistoric evidence from Mohenjodaro in Sindh. A terracotta seal from the Indus Valley Civilisation shows seven women standing together, suggesting an ancient tradition of grouping female deities.

What it is for

The Satbibis are worshipped for protection and general well-being. Each sister has a specific role, with Olabibi being linked to cholera. The collective nature of their worship suggests they are called upon together to manage various aspects of life and health. The practice is rooted in local tradition rather than formal temple rituals.

Who does it

The worship is carried out by households in southern Bengal. It is a folk practice maintained by the local community rather than a priesthood. There is no detailed information on how practitioners are chosen or if there are specific gender restrictions for those who perform the rites.

Peoples and places

The cult of Asanbibi is concentrated in southern Bengal among Bengali communities. The group is known locally as the Satbibis. While the Saptamatrikas are a pan-Indian concept, the Satbibis are a specific regional variation found only in this part of India. The connection to the Indus Valley Civilisation links them to a much older geographical area extending into Sindh.

What people believe

The belief system places Asanbibi within a framework of female divine power. The grouping of seven sisters mirrors ancient patterns seen in the Saptamatrikas. The existence of a seal from Mohenjodaro depicting seven women supports the idea that this number holds significance in the region's history. The deities are viewed as powerful entities capable of influencing health and fortune.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Modern scholars attempt to place Asanbibi within the broader context of Hindu mythology by comparing her to the Saptamatrikas. They note the lack of direct similarity between the two groups. The discovery of the Mohenjodaro seal provides archaeological support for the antiquity of seven-goddess traditions in the Indian subcontinent.

Compare and confuse

Asanbibi is often compared to the Saptamatrikas due to the numerical similarity of seven goddesses. However, the Satbibis are distinct folk figures rather than classical Vedic deities. The term Satbibis specifically refers to this Bengali grouping, whereas Saptamatrikas is a wider Hindu category.

Questions people ask about Asanbibi

Good reading and sources

• Asanbibi on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data