Traditional administration of justice among the Zeliangrongs
- Part 2 -

Budha Kamei *

A scene from a Documentary Film by Ronel Haobam - 'The Zeliangrongs'

However the family of the murderer has to pay compensation to the family of the killed in the form of kinds as per customs of the Zeliangrong and the said compensation is required to pay within a short period of time fixed by the Pei say within five days or on the day of burial. If the stipulated time expires one can take revenge.

The customary compensation of a human loss consists of ten items such as pot (Takhian Lai) for head (Pijang), hoe (Laogai) for teeth (Hujang), goats' hair (Juhu) for hair (Meisamjang), necklace (Tariutu) for intestine (Meireijang), shawl/cloth (Phei) for skin (Meigijang), cattle (Goi) for body (Pumjang), bronze plate (Jeisenkuak) for bottom (Lingkokjang), Neckband (Beih) for shoulder bone (Guangkamjang), armlet (Nathang) for intestine (Meileijang) and beads (Tuthuliang) for eyes (Meimikjang).

This is locally called Charum Khapmei and it must be paid on the day of burial. A cow/buffalo/bison with a traditional shawl will also be given to the family. A plot of land called Meirum in addition to Charum Khapmei is to be given to the family as compensation in case of homicide by treachery. Here, one can say that the family/clan of the murdered accepts the compensation only in order to honour the customs and traditions and not because they are ready to take the compensation for the life of their dear one. As punishment, the murderer (Meibairoimeipu) is excluded from the village.

Sometimes, the family of the murderer also vanishes from the village because of harshness of the crime. This is locally known as Kaipui Phukmei (to uproot the crump). In Zeliangrong society, homicide by accident is: one (slayer) who could bring back the dead body (Kaphou) to the house of the killed; this is called Kaphou Phungna Gngmei in local dialect. But it was a rare case as the family and his relatives will slay him at the instant or the murderer runs away for life with an indication to his family for preventative measure.

If murder/killing takes place, neither the two parties or clans are allowed to inter-marriage (Khugengnumakhe) nor to eat and drink together (Tukaru Jangkarunumakhe) as before until they perform the purification ritual called Rihchukshumei.In other words during the controversy the two parties are in a condition of ritual enmity or opposition and when a settlement is reached they join in a peace making ceremony.

Marriage with another man's wife (Langdai Noukasoumei): If a man gets married with a woman whose husband is alive, such a marriage is called Langdai Noukasoumei. This kind of force marriage does happen sometimes in the society. Such marriage is considered a serious crime in the society and a sin in religion as marriage is a sacrament.

The outcome of the marriage is the killing or dismantling the house of the abductor by the disgraced husband and his relatives unless the Pei is immediately informed with the punitive fine (a pig with jar of wine) to proclaim Khamdanmei. Violation of this customary injunction means imposition of a huge fine (a big pig of 5-10 cubits) but no one goes against the Pei.

There is a custom to be followed by the avengers in demolishing the culprit's house. Usually, a Zeliangrong traditional house is divided into three rooms; the front room is called Kaijao/Gaanmeikai where men sleep. The avengers are permitted to destroy only the men's house (Gaanmeikai) because the next room is Tumeikai, women house where women sleep. If they break this rule they will be placed heavy fine and also be treated as offender.

Such a serious case is usually settled by the Pei; the family of the abductor will have to pay a punitive fine (a pig with a jar of wine) to the Pei, a compensatory fine (Chanao Mundom) in the form of one buffalo/cow/bison and also a reconciliatory fine (Nousou Goi), one cow/buffalo/bison to the family of the injured husband.

Moreover the family on behalf of the culprit has to request to the injured husband to forgive him for the crime he has committed. Besides this the Pei will also punish the agent (Munthun) who helps the abductor by putting a punitive fine. This is locally called Munthun Rukhou Guak Phentumei. It is a custom that the main accused wife abductor has to repay the cost of the pig and wine to his agent (Munthun) soon after. In addition, the abductor has to refund the bride price (Nouman) of the woman to the injured husband.

Adultery (Nou-Gan Kachumei): Voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a partner other than his/her spouse is locally known as Nou-Gan Kachumei. Historically adultery has been considered to be a serious offence by many cultures. In the same way adultery is a great offence in Zeliangrong society. If the case of adultery is caught in the act, both the man and woman could be killed at the spot and the matter comes to an end.

In such cases, the injured husband on receipt of secret report or on his suspicion naturally looks and waits for an opportunity to spear the seducer to death and even his own wife in moment of high temper. T. C. Hudson says that adultery is a cause of divorce on such ground as proved incompability on temper. According to M McCulloch, "The adultery, if he did not fly the village, would be killed; aware of the penalty attached to his offence dare not stay, and is glad to leave his house and property to be destroyed by the injured husband.

The family of the adulteress is obliged to refund the price in the first instance paid to them by her husband, and also to pay her debts." The act of adultery has brought sometimes disorder within the village. Lewis Henry Morgan observes that after marriage the "husband treated his wife as his daughter, and not as his equal. Moreover, he had the power of correction and of life and death case of adultery." According to traditional Zeliangrong custom, if a person commits adultery, punishment is given to both of them.

Beating (Thingun Baimei), shaving hair of the woman (Kapi Gotkokmei), confiscation of properties (Kapot Kachei Lamei) etc. are the kind of punishments. Shaving is commonly performed at the village jumping ground (Danshanpung) or main road of the village (Changdai) so that the villagers can see the act easily. It is one of the severe and humiliated punishments awarded to them who committed serious crimes like adultery and immoral act in the society.

The person is even turned out from the village. If the matter is to be compromised, then the seducer will have to present heavy fine inflicted by the Pei. Usually the penalty includes: (1) a punitive fine to be paid to the Pei, (2) a buffalo, and (3) a cow to be offered to the family of the injured husband.

If the adulterer could not pay the fines in time he must be expelled out of the village. However, adultery is tainted, for a man to accept the fines will seem equivalent to selling of wife's flesh and therefore, the fines in terms of animals are suggested to be given to the Pei.

Adultery is an act of criminal. It is stated that "criminal intercourse with a married woman.... tended to adulterate the issue of innocent husband.... and to expose him to support and provide for another man's children. Thus, the purity of the children of a marriage is corrupted, and the inheritance is altered." The law often uses the word adulterate (d) to describe contamination of food and the like.



To be continued....