Traditional self-governing institutions among the Zeliangrongs of NE India
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Dr Budha Kamei
Contd from previous issue
The Gaanna forms the lowest tier and consists solely of unmarried boys. The next tier is Gaanpi. It is divided into two sub-grades: senior and junior. The senior grade is known as Gaanpi-Kaijipmei. The members (Kaijipmei) live in their own homes. The junior grade is called Gaanpi-Chaphongmei. It typically comprises unmarried young men who represent the uppermost segment of the unmarried group. The highest tier is known as Khangbon. They are middle-aged men. The Khangbons serve as the leaders of the Khangchiu organization. It is in the hands of Khangbons to maintain peace and prosperity of this organization. But it mainly relies on the abilities, efficiency, and leadership of the Khangbons. Other tribal communities, they have separate houses for the dormitory. But among the Rongmeis, the Khangchiu is typically located in the residence of a wealthy and influential owner with a large house. It is considered a generous public-spirited act of offering one's home as a Khangchiu.
In the dormitory, the senior members teach various traditional practices and activities including warfare techniques, martial arts, dance, music, and song to young members. They also learn handicrafts such as basket making, woodworking, carpentry, bamboo crafting, cane work, etc. The dormitory serves as a guard house for the village, with its warriors known as Riphen. These warriors provide defense during emergencies such as wars, accidents, incidents, or natural disasters like earthquakes and epidemics.
In addition, the dormitory engages in social services, which include constructing paths and cleaning ponds in and around the village. It also serves as a center for cultural activities, organizing festivals and ceremonies for both the village and its individual members. The Khangchiu provides support for households and the village council during marriages and other social occasions.
Youth from the dormitory participate in fishing, house building, hunting, and agricultural activities during planting and harvesting seasons. The boys spend most of their time in the dormitory, returning to their homes only for meals. or when they are seriously ill. While the Khangchiu still exists, it primarily functions during festivals.
Ganchang kaibang
Ganchang Kaibang is above the Khangchiu. It serves as the elder's house. The Ganchang is very significant because those who have completed the rites of passage in the dormitory are promoted to this position. The Ganchangs, in turn, are promoted to the Banja based on their age and seniority, becoming members of Pei and taking on various official roles. They are also responsible for performing the religious rites and ceremonies of the village. Since ancient times, the Banjas have served as the highest authority in social, cultural, religious, and political matters within the village. Thus, a Zeliangrong individual is expected to be part of a institution from adolescence to the end of their life, based on their age, and to contribute their best efforts to the well-being of village.
Luchiu
The girls have their own dormitory, similar to the boys', but unlike the Khangchiu, membership in this dormitory is restricted to unmarried girls. The dormitory is led by two senior girls known as Tunapi. In addition, two married men from the Khangchiu are responsible for overseeing the affairs of girls' dormitory and are referred to as Tuna Munshinmei. The owner of the Luchiu and his wife serve as the patriarch and matriarch of the community.
In this dormitory, the young girls receive informal education and training in skills such as spinning, weaving, dance, and music. The girls' dormitory also plays a vital role in supporting the village by providing voluntary services, such as collecting firewood and water for poor and abandoned widows during the day. The girls are permitted to use their dormitory only at night. Currently, the Luchiu operates primarily during festivals.
Mathenmei kaibang
Above the Luchiu, there is an institution known as Mathenmei Kaibang, which is also referred to as Rakpui Kaibang (the married women’s house).
(To be contd)
Contd from previous issue
The Gaanna forms the lowest tier and consists solely of unmarried boys. The next tier is Gaanpi. It is divided into two sub-grades: senior and junior. The senior grade is known as Gaanpi-Kaijipmei. The members (Kaijipmei) live in their own homes. The junior grade is called Gaanpi-Chaphongmei. It typically comprises unmarried young men who represent the uppermost segment of the unmarried group. The highest tier is known as Khangbon. They are middle-aged men. The Khangbons serve as the leaders of the Khangchiu organization. It is in the hands of Khangbons to maintain peace and prosperity of this organization. But it mainly relies on the abilities, efficiency, and leadership of the Khangbons. Other tribal communities, they have separate houses for the dormitory. But among the Rongmeis, the Khangchiu is typically located in the residence of a wealthy and influential owner with a large house. It is considered a generous public-spirited act of offering one's home as a Khangchiu.
In the dormitory, the senior members teach various traditional practices and activities including warfare techniques, martial arts, dance, music, and song to young members. They also learn handicrafts such as basket making, woodworking, carpentry, bamboo crafting, cane work, etc. The dormitory serves as a guard house for the village, with its warriors known as Riphen. These warriors provide defense during emergencies such as wars, accidents, incidents, or natural disasters like earthquakes and epidemics.
In addition, the dormitory engages in social services, which include constructing paths and cleaning ponds in and around the village. It also serves as a center for cultural activities, organizing festivals and ceremonies for both the village and its individual members. The Khangchiu provides support for households and the village council during marriages and other social occasions.
Youth from the dormitory participate in fishing, house building, hunting, and agricultural activities during planting and harvesting seasons. The boys spend most of their time in the dormitory, returning to their homes only for meals. or when they are seriously ill. While the Khangchiu still exists, it primarily functions during festivals.
Ganchang kaibang
Ganchang Kaibang is above the Khangchiu. It serves as the elder's house. The Ganchang is very significant because those who have completed the rites of passage in the dormitory are promoted to this position. The Ganchangs, in turn, are promoted to the Banja based on their age and seniority, becoming members of Pei and taking on various official roles. They are also responsible for performing the religious rites and ceremonies of the village. Since ancient times, the Banjas have served as the highest authority in social, cultural, religious, and political matters within the village. Thus, a Zeliangrong individual is expected to be part of a institution from adolescence to the end of their life, based on their age, and to contribute their best efforts to the well-being of village.
Luchiu
The girls have their own dormitory, similar to the boys', but unlike the Khangchiu, membership in this dormitory is restricted to unmarried girls. The dormitory is led by two senior girls known as Tunapi. In addition, two married men from the Khangchiu are responsible for overseeing the affairs of girls' dormitory and are referred to as Tuna Munshinmei. The owner of the Luchiu and his wife serve as the patriarch and matriarch of the community.
In this dormitory, the young girls receive informal education and training in skills such as spinning, weaving, dance, and music. The girls' dormitory also plays a vital role in supporting the village by providing voluntary services, such as collecting firewood and water for poor and abandoned widows during the day. The girls are permitted to use their dormitory only at night. Currently, the Luchiu operates primarily during festivals.
Mathenmei kaibang
Above the Luchiu, there is an institution known as Mathenmei Kaibang, which is also referred to as Rakpui Kaibang (the married women’s house).
(To be contd)