Naga Traditional Weapon

Zeliangrong - Lifestyle in the olden Days

The Liangmai Naga is one of the 29 tribe recognized by the Government of Manipur. It has a total population of 25,126 according to 1991 census population There are about 50 to 60 villages found settled mostly in the hilly region of Manipur mainly in two district i.e. Senapati and Tamenglong district of Manipur. One of the oldest Liangmai village- Makiulongdi is in the Senapati district. During its prime time it had a total number of 7777 houses.

There is no written records of the past. but some writer who recorded a few were also misinformed. From the oral accounts of the Liangmai a broad ideas about their origin is know. According to legend, the Liangmais along with other Naga brethren wondered through formidable stretches of Asia to their present homeland. Makhel is the historic restaging point of most Naga tribes including the Liangmais after their arrival from some where is yet to be traced. The Liangmai recognized Makuilongdi as the cradle of their origin.

The Liangmai believed that when a child is born one of the elder family must claims it as “mine”before the god of death claims it. If it is not claim at the earliest possible moment the god of death will claim it.

MUIBANG It is a customary practice among the Liangmais to put up a thorny bush plant called MUIBANG in front of the house when a child is born. It is a believed that evil spirit shy away from this plant. Secondly, It is also a sign to travelers, outsiders etc.that the particular house is prohibited to them. The believed is that the house is unclean and on the other hand evil eyes may not fell prey to the new born child. This period of prohibition of prohibition usually last from 5 to 10 days but varies from village to village. This period of prohibition is called as Nabangki i.e.prohibited house or some Liangmai also called as Muisiatbo. Great cares are taken by the parents to abide with norms of prohibition who aim at making their child to be a great warrior.

It is a hair cutting ceremony, which is normally perform after 5 to 10 days. It is believed that the hair of the child is unclean which comes from the womb of the mother. To live in this new world as a clean child , the hair should be shave off. The shaving off of such hair is called Thamraguatbo. The eldest head of the family or relatives who is frequent with shaving of a child shave the hair. Thamraguatbo also signifies that the period of Nabangki/musiatbo or prohibition is over. The muibang i.e. thorny bush plant will be taken off. Friends,relatives,guest,are now wel come to visit the house again.They can see the child and even suggest names.There will be rituals, offering, followed by drinks,feast, singing etc.

Thamraguatbo It is a naming ceremony for the new born child. It is usually attended by elder, relatives,close friends and priest, even before the birth of a child, the parents may have already chosen a name. If they have not chosen many names are being proposed if a new name is composed thee is no argument among the member present. if it is old name, a lot of investigation is made. since, it is a taboo among the Liangmai to choose a name which do not belong to their lineage. when all members present settle for a particular name the priest will perform a ritual invocation the God to bless the child, with offerings followed by drinks of rice beer and feast. The member will also bless the child. But during the night time if the child fails to have a sound sleep and wails on or cries without any reason, the next day they will change the name of the child followed with the same procedure. The believe is that the child refuse to accept his name or the name is not fit or suitable for the child. Naming ceremony is performed usually after Thamraguatbo.

It is a feeding ceremony to a child after every hair cut till he attain to adult hood. On this occasion.the child will be presented to be fed with the meal of kanam jan( mole meat). If fresh meat is not available dry ones are kept ready for such occasion. If such kind of meat is not available an egg is given after every hair cut This is done to appease the god and the elder invoke upon the god to bestow upon the child for a good health and a steady growth to manhood.

It is an ear piercing ceremony to put an ear ring in future This ceremony is perform when the child attains two-three years old.piercing the ear is done by a group of woman of the village. They are a kind of woman who could no longer bear a child anymore but they must have children grandchildren. well to do family . In other words they do no have jealousy evil intention for the child, The leader or the most experience among them will pierce the ear and make a hole. A black cotton string is tied as a temporary ring, so that the child can wear earring in future.

These woman will not go back empty handed. they will be feeded with drinks and foods. They will blessed the child and many songs will be sung in praise of the house owner and also of the child.

In every Liangmai village there is at least two dormitories or Morung for both boys/girls called KHANHCHIUKY and LIUCHIUKY. For the boys one is called Ari-Khangchiuky (Upper boys dormitory) and Ahang Khangchiuky (Lower boys dormitory) For the girls it is called (Ari- liuchiuky) (Upper girls dormitory). and Ahang- liuchiuky(lower girls dormitory). The upper dormitory will be situated at upper site of the village and the lower dormitory on lower site of the village.

There is another type of dormitory for young boys. called Changkhanaky(young boys dormitory). and for young girls it is called as Chungkina(young girls dormitory) Both this two houses will be attached very near the boys and the girls dormitory respectively.

The leader of Khangchiuky is called Pakhangpi, who is chosen by its respective members who may not be bachelor. He may or may not sleep in the dormitory since it is not compulsory, The leader of Chungkhangnaky is called Khangkiang who is a bachelor and he must sleep in the dormitory. The leader of Liuchinky is call Liuchiupi and the leader of chungkina is called Liuchi. The members of these two girls dormitory will be under over all control of a respected family of the village.When ever there is a birth of a child both the members of the upper and lower Morung claim to be their future member. The claim and counter claim is finally settled when both members of the party agreed upon on whose party hears the cry of the child first.In certain cases the parents settled the problem by declaring to which house the child should belong to. Morung is the main certre of education in olden days. During the day time each member will toil in their own family work and other activities but during the evening each member will come to their respective morung. They will learn from the elders through watching listening. singing etc. they are taught in all subjects of the time e.g.folklore,traditional song, hunting, wartactics,life about other village etc. Every children of the village is a member of a particular Morung. During the day time they will work for their family and during the night time they will sleep in the Morung. Usaully, young boys when they attain the age of 7 to 8 years begins to sleep in Chungkhangnaki. They will be given education at primary level and it is a preparatory stage to enter the real dormitory i.e.Khangchiuky. When a child attains the age of puberty he will be admitted by the parents to the Morung. He will be the first wel come accepted by Pakhangpi, leader of the Morung on the advice of Khangkiang, leader of Chungkhangnaky.Khangkiang keenly observes the growing up of child in all aspects and given his recommendation. Those wealthy family’s who aspired their son to be a great warrior performs the above stated ceremonies with religious fervour. They also taught their son about their experience,techniques of war,hunting, adaption with nature,Village surrounding etc. both in theory and practice. They also keen interest about their health and diet.

The boy will return to his house. A thanks giving ritual will be performed. He will be equipped with all the necessary items of a warrior. He will be again accompanied by his parents to Khangchiuky with rice beer and eatables. He will be wel come by Pakhangpi in front of all the members of the Morung. His ordinary loin-cloth it will now be replaced by a larger cloth one may call it as a Naga half pant. In Liangmai it is called Tashini thiubo (pant wearing ceremony) this tashini will be worn to the new warrior by pakhangpi. This will be followed by drinks brough by his parents by all its members which symbolize that he is now accepted as one of them. a recognized warrior and he is expected to do and work equally like them.An ordinary Liangmai family cannot afford to perform this various rituals ceremonies, feast etc. Only great warrior, who is wealthy dream for his son I.e. to make his son a warrior and leader take keen interest right from the birth of the child till adulthood. Warrior and leader who dream for their son right from its birth to adulthood. They taught their children all their acquired skill, know ledges and also tries to acquired from others. Such men were the contributes who have contributed for continued oral tradition, folklore etc. in which modern generation is very much indebted. Without which it would have been a dying culture on unknown culture.

MALANBO It is a ceremony of initiation to adulthood. This ceremony is performed by wealthy family who have wealthy relatives and friends who aspires their son to be a future warrior and leared. To complete this ceremony it takes one complete year of Liangmai Calender.The main objective of performing Malanbo os to let the child grow –up very fast with a steady health towards adulthood. He will learn various arts and craft etc.during the period of malanbo.in other word it is a special coachingclass for a particular boy for one whole season.it usually start with the beginning of the year and ends with the end of the year.The parents decide the number of days and month to be stayed in a particular house and to which family will the child get its best desire education. malanbo start with a ritual perform by a priest(Singku)with an offering to the god that nothing misdeeds or misfortune may be fall on the chilld and chosen familys’ It will be followed by with advice blessiung and wish for the boy followed by wine feast. The boy will accompanied.upto the chosen family by his parents. The boy will lived in a particular house like their ownfamily and works as their family. He will try to learn as many things possible during his stay. When the time comes. He moves on to another already engaged family and continued with the same process. During his stay in all this family ha will be on special diet. The best meals and best wines, are always serve it him every day. The family will also teach him all their knowledge, art and craft etc. education with the knowledge of all art and crafts but without experience.
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