Ual (pronounced as ''woo-aal''), also known as Ural, is a sand clock-shaped grinding tool used by the Bodo people. Since forests have abounded in Assam for centuries, wood is used to make an ual. From a tree trunk, a circular core is carved out and sand-clock counter is achieved by trimming its outer belly. The tool for ramming the contents within an ual is also made of wood. It's a long cylindrical tool which is provided with a trough at an appropriate position for holding it. The two ends of the ramming tool is clipped with circular metal rings for its longevity. The Bodos use the ual basically for grinding

grain A grain is a small, hard, dry fruit (caryopsis) – with or without an attached hull layer – harvested for human or animal consumption. A grain crop is a grain-producing plant. The two main types of commercial grain crops are cereals and legum ...

s such as rice. The ground rice can then be used for making different cuisines like

onla Onla (Bodo word) is one of the bodo cuisines made from rice flour, khardwi (alkali) and spices. Chicken or pork is sometimes added. Some of the famous onla dish are Aouwa Mewa onla (bamboo shoot with rice flour), sojona bilai onla( drumstick leaves ...

pitha Pithas are a variety of food similar to pancakes, dumplings or fritters, originating from the Indian subcontinent, common in Bangladesh and India. Pitha can be sweet or savoury, and usually made from a dough or batter, which is then steamed, fri ...

. Other things such as a mixture of leaves or dry fish are also ground using an ual.

References

Bodo Food grinding tools {{Assam-stub