Symposium: Significance of Bamboo in Socio-Cultural and Economic Development of North East India
Date - 10th-16th March, 2016
Symposium
on
“Significance of Bamboo in Socio-Cultural and Economic Development of North East India”
Venue: NEHU, Shillong
(10th-16th March, 2016)
Abstract
Narratives on Totems and Taboos associated with Bamboo in Manipur
HOMEN THANGJAM
Life-world of the Manipuris cannot be imagined without bamboo, the tallest of the tallest grass. The ancient cosmic theory of creation of the Meiteis is incomplete without this plant.
When Kuru Sidapa instructed his son Atiya Kuru Sidapa to create a world and make the human beings its inhabitants, Haraba, the other son, out of jealousy constantly destroyed the creation of the universe using a flying horse called the Samadon Ayangpa. To prevent the destructions, taking cues from Kuru Sidapa, Leimaren incarnated as Nongthang Leima.
Nongthang Leima seduced Haraba using all forms of female guiles (looks, smiles and gestures) so that the creation of universe could be completed. During this time, Atiya Kuru Sidapa created Lord Marjing out of his umbilical cord to hunt down Samadon Ayangpa and trap the creature. Using traps made from bamboo, Lord Marjing caught the flying horse.
And thus, the creation of the universe was completed. Every clan/lineage of the Meiteis (seven in number) also have respective totems and taboos associated with different forms of plant and animal species. The paper focuses on narratives and beliefs on totems and taboos associated with bamboo among different communities in Manipur.
This would help us better understand about the cultural lives of the people and how bamboo culture is sustained in the society marked by modernization and globalization.
(HOMEN THANGJAM (Ph.D., JNU) teaches Political Science in the Maharaja Bodhchandra College, Imphal. He can be reached at homenth(AT)gmail(DOT)com )
* This information is sent by Aheibam Koireng who can be contacted at akoireng(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This Post is webcasted on December 12 2016
* 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.