The Rat Hunters of Assam

Rat meat, regarded as a delicacy in some communities, is slowly finding larger acceptance in Assam and other areas of the North-east. Meeting the demand are Adivasi rat hunters like Ram Soren.

Ram Soren returns home with the night’s catch in Bori village, about 120 km from Guwahati.

Burnt rats on sale in Kumarikata weekly market in Baksa district of Assam.

Fetches a good price at the weekly market.

Ram Soren along with his wife Bitimoi Tudu and daughter Kurmila Soren prepares rats for a meal in his village Degholdong.

Getting the bamboo traps ready for the night ahead.

Collecting a trapped rat by the river.