Bonobibi: an autoethnographic study of eco-theology and devotional practice

Abstract

This study examines the religious and ecological significance of Bonobibi within the Sundarbans, a tidal mangrove region shaped by environmental instability, predatory threats, and human dependence on nature. Moving beyond conventional scholarly classifications of Bonobibi as merely a figure of myth, folklore, or syncretism, the research argues that she functions as a living divine protector whose authority informs moral conduct, ecological responsibility, and communal identity among forest-dependent communities. The chapter establishes the conceptual foundation of the thesis by exploring the environmental and cultural conditions of the Sundarbans, reviewing existing scholarship, identifying gaps in current academic discourse, and introducing the framework of vernacular eco-theology. Through this approach, the study emphasizes how theological meaning emerges from lived ecological experience rather than abstract religious categorization. The research further demonstrates that the precarious landscape of the Sundarbans—marked by shifting tides, dangerous terrain, and encounters with Bengal tigers—shapes both the spiritual worldview and survival practices of local inhabitants. Ultimately, the thesis proposes that Bonobibi worship represents a dynamic interaction between ecology, spirituality, and social life in the Sundarbans.