TODAY -

Folklore of Hao communities
- Part 3 -

Yarngam Lunglo *

 Leirum and other item used in a Luhongba ( Marriage ceremony for Meiteis) :: 10th July 2019
Leirum and other item used in a Luhongba as seen on 10th July 2019 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam



SCRIPT

The old man said something about Hao scripts. The script was written on dry leathers and dry hard bark. The elder brother groups carried dry leathers and the younger brother carried the dry hard bark. The elder brother who possessed the script kept it near by the fire place in the kitchen shelf.

Unfortunately one day a dog had taken it and spoiled completely whereas the younger brother kept in a safety place. As a result of this the younger brother groups could developed faster than the elders brother groups because every event and knowledge was written on it and it guide the people what to do and what not to do.

To add more concrete proof in support of Tangkhul folklore, I extracted a few lines of comment from the book of Meithei by Hudson. On page six Hudson comment goes like this. There is close connection between Meiteis and Nagas.

The ceremony denominated (phumpankaba) or ascending the throne is performed in Naga dress both by Raja and Ranee and the yumchau (great house) ,the original residence of the Meithei Chief is though he doesn't reside in it, still kept up and is made in the Naga fashion. It also appear that Meiteis and Nagas were friendly and inter marriage between them took place every now and then. This is a crystal clear that Meiteis and Nagas are brothers since time immemorial.

Now the intellectual of Meitei have openly come out to claim that they are tribal from the very inception. I think there is nothing wrong in claiming as tribal.

At a glance everybody knows that they became general during the early 18th century when they embraced Hinduism. The mistake they had committed can be corrected if they realized.

It is a welcome process from my perspective because they are one of our brothers from the very inception as per the folklore of the Tangkhul. On the contrary the tribals of Manipur do not like the move fearing that once the Meiteis convert to tribal there will be problem in getting tribal quota in govt. jobs. So there is a tug of war between tribals and Meiteis.

To be very frank if we want to co- exist side by side peacefully it is good to recognize the right of others. The Bible says do unto others what you want other to do unto you. The Bible is true and we should follow the truth path. Many problems will arise so long we live in this world.

However, we must learn how to overcome it through love only then we can co-exist peacefully. The society is sure to collapse if single ethnic group have passionate attachment towards only their goal while forgetting the others right. This type of attitude is the way to Hell.

In recent years we have witnessed 3 to 4 political Tsunamis in Manipur. In each Tsunami 2 to 9 people have lost their lives due to protest against the Government. The whole people of the state had been buffeted by a wave of strikes, bandhs, dharna, blockade.

Now, recently framework agreement between GOI and NSCN-IM was signed. Could the peace talk be a successful one or a failure one only God knows it. In case the GOI and the Nagas came to an amicable solution to the vex problem, are the Meiteis going to fight for it till the GOI roll back the solution?.

I presume that once the two entities find a solution to it, the Nagas together with central India will not withdraw their hard earned solution. So it will be futile exercise on the part of the Meiteis.

I personally appeal to Meitei brothers to give in to it, not that you are weak but show your due respect to the hard earned achievements by your own brothers. So that in return your brothers will do the same to you in many areas in the days to come.

As for the Naga , for the last 70 years we have been fighting and sacrificing for Naga independence/ sovereignty/ integration long before Manipur merged with India. So no organisation on earth can let it go easily.

Nagas should help Meiteis and Meiteis should help Nagas and promote mutual understanding of brotherhood whenever an opportunity come to each of them. I think this is the only magic or mechanism that can bind two brothers together side by side in the long run.

One Ao woman who was married to a Tangkhul guy said that there are similarities of dialect between Tangkhuls and Aos. She came to know this because she speaks Tangkhul dialect well.

In general both Tangkhuls and Aos girl name suffixed 'La' like in Tangkhul Hormila, Huimila, Seishimla. Likewise in Ao - Amenla, Pendangla, Atola and so on. Our Tangkhuls original clan name is Hao and brothers in Nagaland they called it Ao, these two are from the same clan, the old man said.

Language affinity between Meiteis and Tangkhuls.

I was a mere headmaster at New Canaan Top High School, Ukhrul district. Half of the staff were Meitei brothers and another half were Tangkhul brothers. Our common medium of teaching was done in bilingual e.i, in English and Manipuri. As I had been serving there from 1981-2014 February together with Meitei brothers.

I came to know that there are a lot of similarities of words carrying the same meaning between Tangkhul and Meitei languages. With little effort, I have brought out a small booklet on language affinity between these two communities.

To enable the readers to understand the two languages, I place Meitei-lon in the first place, Tangkhul in the second place and English in the third as follows:

Sl. No. Meiteilon Tangkhullon Englishlon
201.PhaptabaPhapkataUnderstand
202.PhapPhapImaginary
203.Pak PhangdabaPak MasamkaphangVery Rare to get
204.PharaPharaFare
205.PhamkapaPhamkakaAscending/Promotion
206.PhaotokbaPhaokashokPass Through
207.PhaokeiMakeiGrainer
208.PukhariPukhariPool
209.PungPungWatch
210.Pak-ePakgaMatching
211.PhaklangPhaklangWall
212.PhatabaMakaphaBad
213.PhabaKaphaGood
214.PaibaKapaiFly
215.PhingbaKaphingHot Tempered
216.BoraBoraSack Bag
217.PrabhuProhoLord/God
218.PenbaKapenSatisfied
219.PungPungDrum
220.PheiPhaiOk/Good
221.PakbaKapakWide
222.ParengParengLine
223.Pham-uPamloSit
224.PhuritPhahonShirt
225.Pa-uPaluRead
226.ParikhaPorikhaExamination
227.PanbaKapanFix
228.PhaobaKaphaoFamous
229.PhaobaKaphaoCross
230.PobaKaboDefeat
231.SoibaKasoiFail
232.SangbaKasangLength
233.ShamSamHair
234.SabaKasaHot
235.ShingbaKashingIntelligence
236.ShonbaKashonweakness
237.SakolSikuiHorse
238.SunuSunuLime
239.SutiSutiHoliday
240.SathibaSakashiCruel
241.ShingbaKashingClever/Wise
242.ShanaSinaGold
243.SembaKasemRepair
244.SambanSeibanFencing
245.SanSeiCow
246.ShakheeSakheeWitness/Vow
247.SannaoSeinaoCalf
248.SambaKasamJoint
249.ShinbaKashinReplace
250.SamnaSamlakeinaIn Brief
251.ShotbaKashutBorrow
252.SoiganuMasoiloDon't Fail
253.SaibaKasaiBite
254.ShumpaKashumPress Between Teeth
255. ThongThongBridge
256.TengkotTengkotBowl/Plate
257.TongbaKatongProfit
258.TongbaKatongRiding
259.Tarang (old)TaraWater
260.TabaTakatungFall
261.ThaoThaoOil
262.ThaomeiThaomeiLamp
263.TaraTharaTen
264.TambaKatamLearn
265.TarengTarengSpinning Machine
266.ThaunaThaunaCourage
267.ThaubaKathauDrive
268.TapuTapuA Basket in which clothes were kept in the olden days
269.TangbaKatangRare/Costly
270.TanchachabaTanchakachaOpportunity
271.TeibaKateiApply Varnish
272.ThuroThakloFast/Be Quick
273.UphulUphulDust
274.UpaiUpaiMeans
275.UrokVarokCrane
276.UshitabaMautkashitArrogance
277.UmmarokUmmarokKing Chilli
278.WaiteibaWaikateiMopping
279.YotbiYotbiNail
280.YaiMayaiOk
281.YenmapheiHerpheiChicken Leg
282.YamkokYamkokWinnowing Basket
283.YekbaKhayekDrawing
284.YokbaKhayokRear
285.YentemYentemTaro/Common ariod
286.YongNayongMonkey
287.Yak-eYak-aSalty
288.YenguYangluLook
289.YaoYaoSheep
290.ZatloZatluGo/Walk
291.ZatnabaZatkhanaCustom up-to-date
292.ZanguZangluCome in
293.Za-uZaluEat
294.ZatnabiZatkhanaTradition/Convention
295.ZamphutZamphutSimple Boil Vegetables
296.MangchaonaMangchaodaIn Advance
297.HongbaKahongShifting
298.ZeirongZeirongThrusting stick for paddy
299.AlembaLemkahaiLeftover
300.KhangbaKakhangPatience
301.KhangbaKatheiKnowing
302.NanbaKhananSlippery
303.TanchaTanchaChance
304.ManamAnganamSmell
305.NamthibaNamkashiFoul Smell
306.KhutongchabaKhutongkachaAdvantage
307.NiyomNiyomRule
308.AinAyinLaw
309.MenbaKhamenFilling up
310.PokharePohairaAlready defeated
311.Hangkam MachuHangkam MachuYellow colour
312.KopiKopiCabbage
313.MachuMachuColour
314.NingbaKaphaningThought
315.HaiyuHangluSay/Tell
316.HakthiHakthiSneeze
317.HuirongHuirongOffensive word
318.On-paKha-onMeasurement
319.MatonAtonBud
320.KhongbaKakhongBark
321.PhongbaKaphongPublish
322.LemnaLemlakeinaGraceful
323.NgakbaKhangakProtection
324.ShoibaKashoiMistake
325.KhamenKhamenTomato


Concluded .....


* Yarngam Lunglo wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was posted on August 08, 2019.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Khongjom Day @Khebaching #1 : Gallery
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2024 : Timeline
  • India's responsibility to end Manipur violence
  • Migrant worker could access TB services only
  • Importance of reading magazines as student
  • SHG pioneering agricultural innovation
  • Nearing the one year mark
  • The enemy within
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #2 : Gallery
  • Workshop @ NSU Manipur : Gallery
  • 15th Manipur State Film Awards 2023
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Panthoibi Shanglen
  • GSDP doubles, health shines
  • Vote has been cast, repoll held
  • Two faces of democracy
  • Laurels for Scientist Ngangkham Nimai
  • Crime against women in Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Sugnu
  • Creativity & innovation for vibrant career
  • 4th Foundation Day of YMC
  • Racing towards one year mark
  • Prophetic words, indeed
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #14 :: Book
  • 174th Anniv Maharaj Narasingh #1 : Gallery
  • Ensuring Fair Voting in Hills of Manipur
  • Dr Irengbam Mohendra's latest book :: Rvw
  • NDA has the advantage in both
  • Lok Sabha polls in Manipur #1 : Gallery
  • L Rup's Robot 'Kangleinganbi' in Manipuri
  • Art- means of connecting hearts in Manipur
  • Is it Living Alive or Living Death ? :: Poem
  • Rabies - A preventable zoonotic disease
  • April 19, 2024: The blackest day of all
  • Ugly turns on voting day
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #2 : Gallery
  • The chasm between TB & HIV continues
  • Parliament and its Members
  • Kimchi for health and glowing skin
  • LS election with a difference
  • To vote, or not to vote ?
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #2 : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Lamjao, Kakching
  • The Power of Poppy - 27 :: Poem
  • Mother Language based education essential
  • Modi's warriors wear regional hats
  • Nest Asia promoting Northeastern Cuisine
  • Now look beyond LS poll
  • The rot in the system
  • Scientists of Manipur : Laitonjam Warjeet
  • Community seed bank @Umathel : Gallery
  • 10 candidates cracked Civil Services Exam
  • Milk of Paradise: History of Opium : Rvw
  • How plastics find their way into our bodies
  • Condemning attack on Trucks along NH-37
  • Cong looking to buck the trend
  • Saving Manipur
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #2
  • Election Duty :: Travellog
  • 1st Nagas' Meet in Punjab
  • How to select right MP to represent Manipur
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Tejpur
  • Bats are Keystone species for the Planet
  • The '15 days' conundrum
  • Free but not so fair
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #30: Download
  • Before You Vote : My Rumbling Thoughts
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Kakching
  • Meiraba wins All India Sr tournament
  • Finding light in dark through my daughter
  • Navigating life's unreasonable expectations
  • Test of people's character
  • BJP's election manifesto
  • Athoubasingi Numit #1 : Gallery
  • Black rice & Glycemic Index
  • What Nadda should speak at Dimapur rally
  • Open Letter to CM Office Manipur
  • Meghalaya unveils Strawberry festival
  • Benefits of maths newspapers for students
  • Id-ul-Fitr @Hatta #1 : Gallery
  • Are you a good person ?
  • Physics Academy of NE : Executive Body
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Moirang
  • Cherrapunji Eastern Craft Gin launched
  • Cong on cautious path
  • Botox for Hair
  • Posers voters should raise now
  • The lull before the storm
  • 80th Anniv- Battle of Kanglatongbi @UK
  • Vir Chakra Ngangom Joydutta's bust unveiled
  • Hun - Thadou Cultural Festival : Gallery
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Singjamei
  • Election Eclipses: Ballad of Battle & Loss
  • Our voices are equal at the ballot box
  • Scientists of Manipur : Ngangkham Nimai
  • Urgent Call for Solidarity in Manipur
  • Meitei Nongsha #2 :: An Artwork
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Waikhong
  • About NPF-BJP-NPP alliance & why ?
  • World Veterinary Day, 2024
  • The heavy stake behind the LS polls
  • The politics of lying & deception
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba Chak Katpa #1 : Gallery
  • Hun-Thadou Cultural Fest @ Delhi: Report
  • Appeal to Parties & Candidates
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Wangoo
  • Establishment of community seed bank
  • Awareness Programme on new Criminal Laws
  • Make a right choice at the Lok Sabha election
  • Sajibu Cheiraoba: 1 occasion, 2 narratives #1
  • RIST talk-58 : Support systems of elderly
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Hiyanglam
  • Vote, do not boycott !
  • Lok Sabha election: A new dawn in politics ?
  • IIT-Guwahati Half Marathon report
  • Taking ST demand to the election ring
  • Lesson to be learnt from across border
  • Mirabai: Poised for Paris Olympics
  • Legal position for protection of environment
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Keisamthong
  • Heterocyclic compound & biochemical science
  • Inner, torn between two lovers
  • Certification Music Therapy Workshop
  • NOTA as a choice
  • Caesar's wife must be above suspicion
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #29: Download
  • World Health Day 2024
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Pangantabi
  • The Power of Poppy - 26 :: Poem
  • Fulbright Fellowship Outreach at Arunachal
  • Id-ul Fitr da namaz nattana..
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #13 :: Book
  • Lok Sabha election is coming, be prepared
  • 6th Hun-Thadou Cultural Festival
  • Let There Be Free & Fair Election
  • "ST status for Meetei" at Lamlong
  • Science magazines are important for student
  • Interesting choice of candidates
  • The power of We, the voters
  • Inspirations from Scientists of Manipur #1
  • The Case for Amendment of Article 371-C
  • Meitei Nongsha #1 :: Artwork
  • Link between forest & conflict in Manipur
  • Final Call for Application MFA - Phase-2
  • ST for Meiteis call before elections
  • Passing the buck
  • Beating of the Retreat #1 : Gallery
  • Life of our Lives in Ethnic Strife Era! :: Poem
  • IIT-Guwahati annual Half Marathon
  • Follow up: European Parliament on Manipur
  • Yoga & Kegel exercise: Pelvic floor workout
  • Opting for the NOTA button
  • Yearning of the displaced people
  • Kenedy Khuman (Singer) : Gallery
  • 5th NE Women's Peace Congregation
  • World Autism Awareness Day 2024
  • Election fever grips Manipur despite unrest
  • Looking for a decent election hustings
  • Clock ticking towards voting day
  • An exemplary directive
  • Children Camp @JNMDA Imphal #1 : Gallery
  • Memo to Election Commission of India
  • Easter & Holi echo in Nilgiris
  • Holiday Camp for children at JNMDA, Imphal
  • Zero waste is our moral responsibility
  • Elections & loyalty vis-a-vis Manipur crisis
  • Show of strength without unity
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #2 : Gallery
  • Panthoi Chanu : 1st to play in Australia
  • Intensive labs in film preservation
  • Building bridges with books
  • Need of the hour: Political maturity
  • Accepting defeat before the election
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #28: Download
  • April Calendar for Year 2024 : Tools
  • Natural packaging from bamboo : Gallery
  • The Power of Poppy - 25 :: Poem
  • Everyone has their own Bharat Ratna
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #12 :: Book
  • Demand- Manipuri as classical language
  • The Drummer from Odisha
  • Beauty benefits of lemon
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #2 : Gallery
  • Manipur's original Ponies : Gallery
  • Yaoshang & Dance of Democracy loom
  • Symposium on Jagadguru Shankaracharya
  • Choosing ITI as a campus after X
  • Yaoshang Pichakari #1 : Gallery
  • Yaoshang @Nabadwip Dham : Gallery
  • How oral health affects your pregnancy
  • Two faces of Holi
  • Prawaas 4.0, Multimodal Transport Show
  • A decade of development of higher education
  • Yaoshang Mei Thaba #1 : Gallery
  • Our Eternal Kangleipak :: Poem
  • Micro-livestock for livelihoods: For NE States
  • The fun of Holi used to be monotonous
  • 2nd Annual Art Exhibition #1 : Gallery
  • About the "Meitei" community from Manipur
  • Unveiling the medicinal benefits of honey
  • The incalculable value of wildlife
  • Promises of true love
  • Trends, Alliances, & Challenges in Elections
  • Meitei Goddess Ngaleima : An Artwork
  • Water is the most precious gift of God
  • Bharat needs a strong 'India'
  • Transformation of railway stations
  • Not quite the final countdown
  • Missing of 'The Saffron' from electoral colour
  • Descent of Radha-Krishna #27: Download
  • 3rd North East Games: Manipur champion
  • The Power of Poppy - 24 :: Poem
  • EBTC & JCRE signed MoU
  • Early Detection Program at Toubul
  • How Holi affects our mood & mental health
  • Lamta Thangja @ Imphal : Gallery
  • Manipur cinema legacy shines at ARCUREA
  • The pulse of politics amidst conflict
  • Forest is most important vital organ of Earth
  • Tips to play safe Holi
  • Politics of naming candidates
  • Disappearing of spring from season cycle
  • Meira Paibis of Manipur
  • Demand for ST status by Meiteis
  • Project Personal Opening @Assam University
  • World Poetry Day at Manipur University
  • Green skills for sustainable world
  • Supportive interventions during exam time
  • Interesting run up to LS polls
  • Onus definitely on PM to restore peace
  • Nupi Landa Thaunaphabishing #11 :: Book
  • Water, water everywhere ...
  • 21st March - A special day for Forest
  • RI imprisonment to Rapists at Silchar
  • Arrests threaten fragile ceasefire
  • The Valor Within :: Poem
  • Monitoring the rehab centres
  • True colour of politicians
  • North East Film Festival #2 : Gallery
  • Linthoingambi- 'Jury Honourable Mention'
  • Meitei Goddess Phouoibi : An Artwork #3
  • Formation of Wesean Student Federation
  • 20th March- International Day of Happiness
  • A call to first time voter youths
  • Playing the card close to its chest
  • Targeting FOCS and ITLF
  • Students @ Class X Exam : Gallery
  • Saroi Khangba @ Kangla : Gallery
  • Special scholarship scheme for girls
  • Imphal Book Fair 2023 #3 : Gallery
  • Protest for scrapping SoO #2 :Gallery
  • Maharaj Narasingh Statue @Kangla :Gallery
  • Shopping List for Shivaratri : Gallery
  • N Tombi Equestrian C'ships #1 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2024 #1: Gallery
  • Radio E-pao: Manipuri Film OST (130+ song)
  • Save Manipur : Protest [Feb 15] #3 : Gallery
  • Naorem Roshibina- Wushu Medallist : Gallery
  • GHOST of PEACE :: Download Booklet
  • List of Kings of Manipur: 33 - 1984 AD