The origin, migration and settlement of the Moyons
- Part 1 -

R Angnong *

Picture: Moyon on Facebook

This book on the origin, migration and settlement of the Moyons is the result of a long research work of the author. For the source materials of the book I had to depend much from the local scholars and elders who posses well-versed knowledge on the origin, migration and settlements and history of the Moyons.

There are hardly written literature or history are published books on this subject. However, much of the historical materials of this people is largely available in their oral traditions and oral literature like folk songs, talks and ritual incantations, etc. In this sense, this book is a compilation of the source materials in a systematic order.

There are other source materials collected from personal interviews with Meetei local scholars of different places of Manipur. For example, as per records mentioned in the "Moirang Kangleiron" by Khuraijam Thambou, a royal attendent of Waikhong Ningthou (King), the long-haired Moyon Chief cut off the foot of an elephant used in the marriage rateneu of a girl belonging to a Khuman clan of Thoubal area.

In another case, Pandit Samjetshabam Kala Singh of Salungpham gave me an account of the invasion of a Moirang King over the chiefs of hill villages. In another account refering to the Moirang Kangleiron supplied by Mayanglambam Tomba of Wairikhun it has been found that the origin, migration and settlement of the Moirang and Khuman clans refers to that invasion mentioned above. The author aslo availed of various other source materials concerning the Moyons from other local scholars other than three mentioned here.

Many centuries long back before the Christian era the Moyons emerged in Sajuur, a place in the East, and then they migrated to Tungpujuur and settled in Inkamphe, and about 300-400 family clans settled there for long. Thus, in the course of their settlement from Sajuur to Tungpujuur their earliest ancestral King (chief) Thompungpau reigned in peace and prosperity. He died in Tungpujuur after a peaceful long reign.

When the Moyons settled in Inkamphe the Moyon king was Sapasing whom the Meeteis called Khuyon Tompok, Sapashing means the 'only-born-son'. The place is known as Inkamphe village because it is a place or village in the valley where the Moyons used to hold regular feasts and festivals every year for the occasion of a competitive drinking bouts. In the Moyon language "phe" means valley which the Meeteis call 'Tampak' and "Inkam" means drinking ceremony which the Meeteis call 'Yu-hongba'.

The Moyon village Inkamphe was on the south, north and western side of Moirang and the capital was just in the Kangjeibung (pologround) of the present Kom village Khoirentak. Till now the people call the place as "Rungkamphe".

As such because of the Moyons' indulgence in feast and festivals and merriments the Meeteis used to call the village as "Aage Khum" came to be known as "Kege" as derivative.

Why is it so that the Moyons use to hold such competitive drinking bouts and meat-eating? As per the social code of the Moyons at that time it was not allowed to perform the burial service accompanied with drum-beating and singing feast for any man who died without performing any of such customary feast and festivals when he was alive. For his funeral service no flag-bearmg service should be done.

However, erection of wooden cross was allowed. However, for any couple who performed such customary feast and festivals and merriment for 4 (four) or 5 (five) times in their life time shall receive all due respect of the society in their death. There shall be flag-bearing service, funeral song and music, etc, in their burial service. A white towel and a red towel will be normally used as a flag.

The towels are tied up on the top of a long bamboo pole. A man holding a shield and a spear shall lead the funeral march and the man who holds the flag post shall follow in the rear by playing a customary dance. All the feast and festivals performed in Yu-hongba merriments shall be done also.

Kinds of festivals of the Moyons

1. There are different kinds of Moyon festivals. Yu-hongba or drinking ceremony in one of these festivals. In this festival, girls and boys, men and women, old ones, etc. holding their hands together or standing in two circular lines used to dance the whole evening in an enthralling rhythmic beat of drum. Sometimes these dancing chorus use to move around the village houses and perform this dance in the yard of the ones who performed Yu-hongba festival in the previous years.

All the villagers, particularly the young ones use to stay all night in the house where the festival is underway. They use to dance backward and backward and this would continue for three days. On the last closing day of the ceremony, the maidens and bachelors of the Yu-hongba houses use to dance by beating the drum and clapping together. The dance shows an aesthetic presentation of beautiful hand movement dance. It is a real competition for good performance of the art of dance.

2. They would perform sword dance.

3. There would be war dance by holding shield and spear.

4. The dance is made exciting with the war songs.

5. Sometimes girls and boys or men and women use to dance in a round movement by holding their hands together.

6. In the last night of the festival, they dance like Meetei Thabal Chongba in the accompaniment of sweat and melodious songs.

7. On the last day of harvesting the village maidens and bachelors take one or two palanquins to the field resting places and wait for the elders who return from their harvesting places. The girls and the boys would ask the returning old ones if anyone would like to be carried on the palanquins. Those old ones who is ready or willing to be carried on the palanquins would be taken to their/his house in the accompaniment of drum beating and bangle music. After this, the man would offer a grand feast in which drinking and delicious dishes of meat would be made quite available.

Different notes of Moyon music

1. Musical rhythmic note of Pamlou preparation ie, preparation of crop field.
2. Crop seedling note of music.
3. Note of traverse along the hill ranges.
4. Musical note of dawning of the day.
5. Warning song at the approach of enemy attack.
6. Victorious song at return of a successful campaign.
7. Luxurious and decorative song.

• Pung (Mridhanga),
• Khung (Twirl),
• Lushim,
• Shananta,
• Pena,
• Flute,
• Pashim,
• Puba,
• Jurping, etc.