Kuki people
Encyclopedia
The Kukis are an ethnic group that spread throughout the Northeastern region of India, Northwest Burma and Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. In Northeast India they are present in all the states except Arunachal Pradesh. This dispersal across international borders is mainly attributed to the British colonial policy. According to Lt. Colonel Shakespeare the term ‘Kuki’ has a definite meaning and include Aimol, Koireng, Kom, Purum, Gangte, Vaiphei, Simte, Paite, Hmar, Thadou, Zou,Sakachep (Khelma) etc. G.A. Grierson in Linguistic Survey of India, 1967 stated that the tribes connoted by Kuki are able to understand others dialect. However, in reality some of these tribes are historically closer to the Naga
tribe
The term Kuki, in literature, first appeared in the writing of Rawlins when he wrote about the tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts
. It refers to "Hillsmen" comprising numerous clans. These clans share a common past, culture, customs and tradition. They speak in dialects that have a common root language belonging to the Tibeto-Burman group. The Kukis have Mongoloid features and are generally short-stature with straight black hair and dark brown eyes. The different Kuki clans are recognised as scheduled tribe of India. This tribe recognition is based on the dialect spoken and region. They spread out in the contiguous regions of Northeast India, Northwest Burma (Myanmar), and the Chittagong Hill Tracts
in Bangladesh
. They are most prominent in Manipur
, Nagaland
, Assam
and Mizoram
. Kuki is composed of many different entities and clans: Aimol
, Baite, Biate
, Bawn
, Changsan, Chongloi, Darlawng, Doungel, Guite, Hmar, Halam
, Haokip, Haolai, Hangsing, Hauzel
, Hrangkhawl
, Kilong, Kipgen, Koireng, Khelma / Sakachep, Kolhen, Kom, Lenthang, Lhanghal/Hanghal, Lhouvum, Lhungdim, Lunkim, Lupho/Milhiem
, Lupheng, Thangeo, hangum], Mate, Misao, Paite
, Purum
, Simte
, Singsit, Singson, Sitlhou, Tarao, Tuboi, Tonsing, Touthang, Vaiphei
, Vaulnam, Zou
etc.
had been attested as early as circa 500 BC in ancient Indian literature
, such as the Vedas
and Mahabharata
, and many of these Mongoloid groups are believed to be indigenous to the region. Some believe that the Kuki people, however, may have made a southwesterly migration to the sub-Himalayan region of north-eastern India and north-western Burma. These tribes speak Tibeto-Burman dialects. Today the Kukis are dispersed in Northeast India, Northwest Burma and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. With regard to Kuki identity, Prof JN Phukan writes, If we are to accept Ptolemy's "Tiladae" as the Kuki people, as identified by Gerini, the settlement of the Kukis in the North-East India would go back to a very long time in the past. Prof Gangumei kabui states, 'Some kuki tribes migrated to Manipur Hills in the pre-historic times along with or after the Meitei advent into the Manipur valley'. This hypothesis will take us to the theory that the Kukis, for that matter, The Mizos, at least some of their tribes, have been living in North-East India since prehistoric time.
In the second century (AD 90-168), Claudius Ptolemy, the geographer, identified the kukis with Tiladai, who are associated with Tilabharas and place them "to the north of Maiandros, that is about the Garo Hills and Silhet". Stevenson's reference to Kuki in relation to Ptolemy's also bears critical significance to its existence in this period. The Rajmala or Annals of Tripura refers to Shiva falling in love with a kuki woman around AD 1512. The Encyclopædia Britannica records, "Kukis, a name given to a group of tribes inhabiting both sides of the mountains dividing Assam and Bengal from Burma, South of the Namtaleik river ". Concerning the origins of kuki, in 1893, EB Elly, a British official, wrote, the terminology 'kuki', meaning 'hill people' originated in Sylhet, in former East Bengal
Historian such as Majumdar and Bhattasali refer to the kukis as the earliest people known to have lived in prehistory India, preceding 'the "Dravidians" who now live in south India.' The Aryans, who drove the Dravidians towards the south, arrived in the Indian sub-continent around BC 1500. In the Pooyas, the traditional literature of the meitei people of Manipur, 'two kuki chiefs named kuki Ahongba and kuki Achouba were allies to Nongba Lairen Pakhangba, the first historically recorded king of the meithis[Meiteis], in the latter's mobilisation for the throne in 33 AD'. Cheitharol kumaba (Royal chronicles of the Meitei kings) record that in the year 186 Sakabda (AD 264) Meidungu Taothingmang, a kuki became king.
The first Resistance movement by the kuki People was the kuki Rebellion of 1917-19. Which was against the British hegemony. Kuki country was subjugated by the British and divided between British India and British Burma administrations following the 'Kuki Uprising of 1917-19'. Up until the fateful defeat in 1919, the Kukis were an independent people ruled by their chieftains. During WWII, seizing the opportunity to regain independence, Kuki fought with the Imperial Japanese Army and the Indian National Army
led by Subhas Chandra Bose. The success of the Allied forces over the Axis group dashed the aspiration of the Kuki people.
in the early 1990s which predominantly was due to the ethnic cleansing propaganda of the NSCN (IM) militants. The Kuki share the same culture, traditions, and genealogical affinity with their brethren of the Chin state in Burma and the Mizos of Mizoram.
is their staple food. They domesticated a number of animals. Of these, Se'l(mithun) is the most prized possession, while a dog
is considered a faithful animal.
s include:
These instruments were useful not only for raising the festival spirit, but also for adding solemnity to certain serious occasions.
of the people abounds with the heroic adventures of Galngam le Hangsai, Chemtatpa, Lengbante, Jamdil, Sangah le Ahpi etc. The poignant romances of Khupting le Ngambom, Jonlhing le Nanglhun, Changkhatpu le Ahshijolneng, Khalvompu le Lenchonghoi; and folktales, such as Chipinthei le Mailangkoh, Lhangeineng and others, represent the rich variety of the Kuki culture.
The Kukis history is deeply rooted with valor, integrity, sanctity and unrelenting commitment to the cause of integral relationship. One such relationship of ‘Romance’ had existed, as legend passed down through to date, between Ngambom and Khupting. Young and Old irrespective of social positions shed tears uncontrollably when the Epic Love story is ever retold in the hearths, workplaces (fields), or even in the sojourn trip, in and around the abode of the mighty Kuki in their Zale’n Gam.
The evergreen story usually commence, once there lived two friendly women, who married with a fine grooms in the same month at the same hamlet in Zale’n Gam. They were friend since their childhood. They had practiced the age old traditional “Lawmcha” working one day at one’s field another day at the other person’s field. Tradition like friendship, fellowship, sportsmanship and occasional festive activities were part of their lives and it only bloom in the land of Benglam, Galngam & Hangsai, Lengchonghoi & Khalvomtepu, Nanglhun & Jonlhing, Jamdil, Ahsijolneng, and et al., which we now known as Kuki Zale’n Gam (The fatherland of Kuki).
The two women continued their lawmcha even after their married life. They both realized that they were with baby in their wombs. One day they both felt excruciating pain in their abdomens. They were still working in the field, there was no one to help them. Out of apathy and partly because they suffer the same nauseating pain, both embraced each other and tried to console one another. Strangely as they rub their bulging stomach, they felt relieved, another time the pain strike, they rubbed their belly; it was a new panacea. They never told this event to any body even their spouses.
Nine months has passed and the ensuing month sparked off the Kukis’ Love Epic Hero and Heroine. One woman gave birth to a baby boy and the parent gave his name Ngambom. The other woman gave to a baby girl and the parent name her Khupting. The two mothers laid their babies, one above the banana trunk another below of it. Whenever they took off to rest and fed their respective baby, to their amazement they found Ngambom and khupting lying side by side not a distance away. This was the strange destiny of Love beneath the skin-every fibers and gems of blood in the body metabolism had acknowledged the predestined “theisen neo kilungset.”
Ngambom and Khupting and their romantic glitz was the talk of the entire Zale’n Gam. The quality and dignity of Ngambom was beyond expression. His talent in the lyrical Gosem music was known in the entire world. Beside this, he was the most handsome person, having the distinctive quality of nobility, courteous, prowess, sportsmanship, integrity and truthfulness in all his works. Khupting proved to be the icon of her days. She was ornately beauty, lovely and excelled other in her musical masterpiece of Lhemlhai lyric. Above all, she was modest, virtuous, lovely, hospitable, meek, kind, and superb in shawl weaving.
The expression of every November full moon (Lhalih Jan) and their love legend couldn’t be rejected or hid. People of Zale’n Gam came to learn the genuine meaning and ideal love from Ngambom-Khupting love living world. Old folks were eager to cast their eyes on the two duo. Young folks peeped beneath and below their rank and file to cast a glimpse of the duo epic lyrical performances.
As always was the case of the epic love stories in Odyssey, Rama-sita, and Romeo-Juliet, the bliss of romance between Ngambom and Khupting were short live. The maxim of full bloom tender-love turned sour when Khupting’s health began to deteriorated day by days. Khupting body shrunk away, yet her beauty never faded. The Parents, Priests (thiempu) and many physicians couldn’t preserve the tenderous beauty life of Khupting.
Ngambom had tried day after days, and year after years following the “Apeu Vadung” (Apeu river- known to be present Irrawaddy river in Burma), to find the drifting hair of Khupting. The village priest advice Ngambom to get Khupting hair and put khoigip attach to stone in the middle of Apeu river, hoping the running water might healed the ailment of his darling. But the sudden storm and heavy torrential rain in the night flooded the river basin, eroding away including the big stone to which khupting hair was stamped with khoigip. This worsen the lingering health of Khupting. Her health was beyond repair and she eventually succumbed to death leaving the entire Kuki Nation shock and sorrow.
The pain of separation from Khupting due to the untimely demise, in Ngambom life was beyond human strength to bear. He was driven half mad and no one can replaced his darling in life but only Khupting. To find solace, peace and restrain, Ngambom snatched his Gosem and played the sweet lyrical music by blowing gently. He was amazed to find another companion whenever he played his tunes-the Whizzing bee (khoiva) whirled around the organ pipes, seemingly dancing in tune with the heartbeats of the blower.
Khupting parent invited Ngambom to cut the branches of Thingzabuong in the central of their field (Legend depicts that this tree can be seen on the moon at every full moon night). Selneng who was the younger sister of Khupting attempted to appease Ngambom and appeal for his love by offering sweets and gifts. Yet Ngambom had one love in life though his love bird had been taken mercilessly by the stink of sickness and death. The day in which he was asked to cut the branches of Thingzabuong, Ngambom prepared with his sharp knife, tuibuh (podium of apiate), and his Gosem musical instrument. He climbed up the big bushel trees and began to cut off the wild flourishing branches. Ngambom felt the buzzing sweet tune around him and sensed the present of Khupting Lhaulha (spirit). Ngambom then took a short break, pulled out his Gosem and composed his great Love-song. The tune came through the bamboo pipes of Gosem :
“Abah langkhat kalham leh sim’a mal’a toingei kisai kisai’e.”
The nearest English translation would be: As I cut the branch off, my destined love in the east and west dances gently and mildly in the air. Ngambom was overjoyed having consoled by Khupting’s spirit and he continued to talk through his musical pipes;
“Khupting Lhaulha nahi leh, simlang nga in kisai kisai ‘e.”
(If you are the spirit of Khupting, turn east and show your gracefully flying dance). The Whizzing bee responded the melodious love mantras from Ngambom and turned east and splatter its wings and responded with sweet buzzing sound similar to Lhemlhai.
Ngambom spoke to Khupting again through his musical tune;
“Khupting Lhaulha nahi leh, mal lam nga in kisai kisai ‘e.”
(If you are the spirit of Khupting, turn west and show your gracefully flying dance). The bee heartily followed the rhythmic thumbing musical notes. When the music stop, the bee disappeared. It appeared again when the Gosem music is aired melodiously.
How did Ngambom passed his last days? Did he marry Selneng the younger sister of Khupting? Those story, who would bother, when Ngambom played his Gosem and Khupting Lhaulha (spirit) in a form of Whizzing bee came to appear to be with him. The Kuki folklore of Ngambom and Khupting deserved world recognition. It is an epic preserved in the muzzles of Gosem -the Kuki traditional musical instrument.
Philosophical insight:
Love seems to have no barrier. Even death can’t separate the fibers of love.
Two different and opposite worlds have no panacea to control over Love.
People say, “love is blind,” yet this Epic Love story says “Love never dies.”
and traditions.
, fishing
, and sporting activities such as- Kung – Kal (high jump, especially over a choice mithum), Ka’ng Ka’p, Ka’ngchoi Ka’p (top game), Suhtumkhaw (javelin throw using the heavy wooden implement for pounding-de-husking-paddy) and So’ngse (shot put). The Lawm was also a center where the young people learned discipline and social etiquette. After harvest season, ‘Lawm meet’ is celebrated with a Lawm-se’l (on the occasion, a mithun is slaughtered for the feast) and, as a commemoration, a pillar is erected. The event is accompanied by dance and drinking rice-beer, which sometimes continues for days and nights.
) and a knife
. Watchful waiting on a machaan for the game also did a favorite past time hunting. Often, many kinds of traps and snares are also set. The fishing equipment consists of Len (fishing net
), Bawm (basket trap), Ngakoi (fishing hook
s). Ngoituh (a method of using dam
s and basket
s in a flowing river
), Ngalhei (draining out water) and Gusuh (a method of temporally stunning fish by using toxic herb
s) were also common methods of catching fish
in small streams. The Kuki men took great pride in big-game hunting and a killing of big animals was followed by somber celebration. The Kukis believed that the big game hunted in a man’s lifetime would accompany him in his after-life journey-the spirits of animals would clear the onward path for him. It was therefore believed that a man was not complete unless he was also successful in big game hunting; he would not be entitled to partake in Lalju, a special drink meant for those who have killed big game.
s and bangle
s), Khi (necklace
), and occasionally Bilkam (a type of ring-shaped earring worn to stretch the earlobe
s). Cha’ngsuh (grain
-pounding), Cha’ngse’p (winnowing), Ponkhon (cloth-weaving
) and looking after domestic animals were some of the daily chores of the women folk. The woven designs of the Kuki women are unique and appreciated the world over. Cha’ng-ai, the place of honor for a good harvest was given to the lady of the house. This formed the highest honor accorded to the Kuki woman. The men folk occupied themselves with cane and bamboo
crafts and house building. They were blacksmith
s and also engaged in carpentry
and other such like jobs. The manufacture of gun
s and gunpowder were a very specialized profession among the men. Twi-cha’ngsu (water mill)’ and Chotle’p (a sea-saw mechanism), are some of the ingenious methods used for pounding rice with minimum use of human energy. Sawh and Ke’ngke (noise creating instruments) functioned as the scarecrow
and were placed in the cultivated fields. Twisawh was another inventive contraption, which used running water from a stream making continual sounds to scare away birds and pests from standing crops.
and the community
is not permissible. Capital punishment
was never in practice. The maximum penalty was ‘bultuh’ (stockade in which the guilty was kept outside the village and provided food until death). This reflects the high ethics of the Kuki people.
by court does not reach a conclusive end. In the event of resorting to twilut, certain customs are strictly adhered to. The chief and elders of the community call upon the thempu (magic-medicine man
/priest
) to conduct the proceedings. For instance, in a boundary dispute, the two litigants are brought into the presence of the public. The 'thempu' then recites ritual
s, which includes the invocation of ‘Pathen’ (God), followed by the litigants being submerged in the water. The culprit becomes immediately apparent because she/he cannot remain underwater at all. Of the two litigants, the defaulter would be in absolute agony, experiencing extreme sensations of being inflamed from within, and therefore emerge to the surface. In contrast, the innocent person able to remain under water, quite normally.
The dialects spoken by the various clans and tribes can be broadly categorise into "L" and "R" Group.
, known as Savun Lekhajo’l (scroll
). These scrolls were lost in the passage of time and along with this, the Kukis also lost their script. Therefore, there is no known Kuki script. Today, the Roman script forms the basis for Kuki literature.
The Bible has been translated in all tribes dialect of the kuki Society.
and astrology
. They were able to study the stars and the phases of the moon and could forecast for themselves certain aspects of nature, particularly rainfall, drought and the seasons.
Naga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
tribe
The term Kuki, in literature, first appeared in the writing of Rawlins when he wrote about the tribes of the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Chittagong Hill Tracts
The Chittagong Hill Tracts comprise an area of 13,295 km2 in south-eastern Bangladesh, and borders India and Myanmar . It was a single district of Bangladesh until 1984. In that year it was divided into three separate districts: Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban. Topographically, this is the...
. It refers to "Hillsmen" comprising numerous clans. These clans share a common past, culture, customs and tradition. They speak in dialects that have a common root language belonging to the Tibeto-Burman group. The Kukis have Mongoloid features and are generally short-stature with straight black hair and dark brown eyes. The different Kuki clans are recognised as scheduled tribe of India. This tribe recognition is based on the dialect spoken and region. They spread out in the contiguous regions of Northeast India, Northwest Burma (Myanmar), and the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Chittagong Hill Tracts
The Chittagong Hill Tracts comprise an area of 13,295 km2 in south-eastern Bangladesh, and borders India and Myanmar . It was a single district of Bangladesh until 1984. In that year it was divided into three separate districts: Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban. Topographically, this is the...
in Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
. They are most prominent in Manipur
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
, Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
, Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
and Mizoram
Mizoram
Mizoram is one of the Seven Sister States in North Eastern India, sharing borders with the states of Tripura, Assam, Manipur and with the neighbouring countries of Bangladesh and Burma. Mizoram became the 23rd state of India on 20 February 1987. Its capital is Aizawl. Mizoram is located in the...
. Kuki is composed of many different entities and clans: Aimol
Aimol
The people of Aimol are settled in different regions in different districts of Manipur and some in Assam and Nagaland. Some people live in Senapati district and some are in Churachandpur district. Most of them are found in Chandel in the South-eastern part of Manipur...
, Baite, Biate
Biate (tribe)
The Biate people are an indigenous tribal people, or "hill tribe", of Assam. Their language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family. Though they are less in term of population, they have their own identity with a rich and distinctive history, culture, dialect and religious heritages. They are also one...
, Bawn
Bawn
A bawn is the defensive wall surrounding an Irish tower house. It is the anglicised version of the Irish word badhún meaning "cattle-stronghold" or "cattle-enclosure". The Irish word for "cow" is bó and its plural is ba...
, Changsan, Chongloi, Darlawng, Doungel, Guite, Hmar, Halam
Halam (ethnic group)
The Halam people are a Kuki tribe native to the state of Tripura in India. The name Halam is coined by the Tipra Raja. They are also known as Mizo, while some people called them Ranglong. They are further divided into 15 sub-clans.-History:...
, Haokip, Haolai, Hangsing, Hauzel
Hauzel
Hauzel is a clan found to be within the Paite tribe of north-east India particularly in Manipur and Mizoram areas. They are also found in the Chin State of Burma as a Tedim-Chin sub-clan. The Hauzels are most concentrated in Lamka, the second largest town of Manipur, India.In Mizoram many of them...
, Hrangkhawl
Hrangkhawl
Hrangkhawl is one of the 21 scheduled tribes of Tripura state of India. They are mainly dwelling in the Teliamura sub-division of West Tripura and the Ambassa sub-division of Dhalai districts. Hrangkhawls are also found in the North Cachar Hills of Dima Hasao district, Assam. They speak the ...
, Kilong, Kipgen, Koireng, Khelma / Sakachep, Kolhen, Kom, Lenthang, Lhanghal/Hanghal, Lhouvum, Lhungdim, Lunkim, Lupho/Milhiem
Milhiem
The Milhiems are an ethnic group living in parts of Northeast India and Myanmar. Some writers refer to them as Milhem, Meriem, Mirem, Marrem or Miriam. They belong to the "Old Kuki tribes" of Manipur. The Milhiems believe that they descend from a common ancestor who came from a cave which they call...
, Lupheng, Thangeo, hangum], Mate, Misao, Paite
Paite
The Paites are one of the constituting tribes of the Zomi who inhabit Burma, India and Bangladesh. The word paite means " a group of people marching " or 'Walkers' in a word,. The Paites are a recognised scheduled tribe in Manipur as well as in Mizoram. The Paites concentrated in Manipur, a...
, Purum
Purum
The Purum are an "old Kuki" tribe of Manipur. They are notable because their marriage system is the subject of ongoing statistical and ethographical analysis; Buchler states that "they are perhaps the most over-analyzed society in anthropology"...
, Simte
Simte
The Simte are one of the ethnic groups in India. They are mainly concentrated in the southern parts of the state of Manipur. A significant number also are settled in neighbouring areas of Mizoram and Assam...
, Singsit, Singson, Sitlhou, Tarao, Tuboi, Tonsing, Touthang, Vaiphei
Vaiphei
The Vaiphei are an ethnic group who inhabit the North-East part of India, Bangladesh and Burma. They are one of the old Kuki clans of Manipur and recognized as part of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo tribe by the state government of Manipur. The group is originally from the Tan valley located in the province of...
, Vaulnam, Zou
Zou people (India)
The Zou people is an indigenous community living along the frontier of India and Burma. In India, they live with and are similar in language and habits to the Paite and the Simte peoples, all of which are called Zomi. In Burma, Zou are counted among the Chin people...
etc.
Early History
The presence of Mongoloid groups in North-East IndiaNorth-East India
Northeast India refers to the easternmost region of India consisting of the contiguous Seven Sister States, Sikkim, and parts of North Bengal...
had been attested as early as circa 500 BC in ancient Indian literature
Indian literature
Indian literature refers to the literature produced on the Indian subcontinent until 1947 and in the Republic of India thereafter. The Republic of India has 22 officially recognized languages....
, such as the Vedas
Vedas
The Vedas are a large body of texts originating in ancient India. Composed in Vedic Sanskrit, the texts constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and the oldest scriptures of Hinduism....
and Mahabharata
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India and Nepal, the other being the Ramayana. The epic is part of itihasa....
, and many of these Mongoloid groups are believed to be indigenous to the region. Some believe that the Kuki people, however, may have made a southwesterly migration to the sub-Himalayan region of north-eastern India and north-western Burma. These tribes speak Tibeto-Burman dialects. Today the Kukis are dispersed in Northeast India, Northwest Burma and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. With regard to Kuki identity, Prof JN Phukan writes, If we are to accept Ptolemy's "Tiladae" as the Kuki people, as identified by Gerini, the settlement of the Kukis in the North-East India would go back to a very long time in the past. Prof Gangumei kabui states, 'Some kuki tribes migrated to Manipur Hills in the pre-historic times along with or after the Meitei advent into the Manipur valley'. This hypothesis will take us to the theory that the Kukis, for that matter, The Mizos, at least some of their tribes, have been living in North-East India since prehistoric time.
In the second century (AD 90-168), Claudius Ptolemy, the geographer, identified the kukis with Tiladai, who are associated with Tilabharas and place them "to the north of Maiandros, that is about the Garo Hills and Silhet". Stevenson's reference to Kuki in relation to Ptolemy's also bears critical significance to its existence in this period. The Rajmala or Annals of Tripura refers to Shiva falling in love with a kuki woman around AD 1512. The Encyclopædia Britannica records, "Kukis, a name given to a group of tribes inhabiting both sides of the mountains dividing Assam and Bengal from Burma, South of the Namtaleik river ". Concerning the origins of kuki, in 1893, EB Elly, a British official, wrote, the terminology 'kuki', meaning 'hill people' originated in Sylhet, in former East Bengal
Historian such as Majumdar and Bhattasali refer to the kukis as the earliest people known to have lived in prehistory India, preceding 'the "Dravidians" who now live in south India.' The Aryans, who drove the Dravidians towards the south, arrived in the Indian sub-continent around BC 1500. In the Pooyas, the traditional literature of the meitei people of Manipur, 'two kuki chiefs named kuki Ahongba and kuki Achouba were allies to Nongba Lairen Pakhangba, the first historically recorded king of the meithis[Meiteis], in the latter's mobilisation for the throne in 33 AD'. Cheitharol kumaba (Royal chronicles of the Meitei kings) record that in the year 186 Sakabda (AD 264) Meidungu Taothingmang, a kuki became king.
Contact With Outside World and Resistance
An important landmark in the history of the Kuki people with considerable social, cultural and political ramifications is the arrival of missionaries and the spread of Christianity among the Kuki's. The acceptance of Christianity marks a departure from their many tribal customs and traditions, and along with the spread of English education, heralds the arrival of modernity within the Kuki People. The first foreign missionary ever to have landed on the soil of Manipur on the 6th Frbruary1894 was William Pettigrew, sponsored by the American Baptist Mission Union. He, together with Dr. Crozier, worked together in the North and the Northeast of Manipur. In the south, Watkins Robert of the Welsh Presbytery mission organized the Indo-Burma Thadou-Kuki Pioneer Mission in 1913. To have a broader scope, the mission’s name was changed to North East India General Mission (NEIGM).The first Resistance movement by the kuki People was the kuki Rebellion of 1917-19. Which was against the British hegemony. Kuki country was subjugated by the British and divided between British India and British Burma administrations following the 'Kuki Uprising of 1917-19'. Up until the fateful defeat in 1919, the Kukis were an independent people ruled by their chieftains. During WWII, seizing the opportunity to regain independence, Kuki fought with the Imperial Japanese Army and the Indian National Army
Indian National Army
The Indian National Army or Azad Hind Fauj was an armed force formed by Indian nationalists in 1942 in Southeast Asia during World War II. The aim of the army was to overthrow the British Raj in colonial India, with Japanese assistance...
led by Subhas Chandra Bose. The success of the Allied forces over the Axis group dashed the aspiration of the Kuki people.
Clannism and Factions
The Kukis in particular were widely known as "War-Mongers". Which can be attributed to clan centric aspiration. This has led to minor ethnic wars within the Kuki clans and subclans. The factional clashes between PRA/ZRA dominated by Paites/Zomi and KNF(P) which is dominated by Kipgen's in 1997 on the ground of suspecion that PRA/ZRA is the handiwork Of NSCN(IM). The factional clash led to the lost of many innocent kuki civilian life mostly from the Paite and Thadou tribe, while other related Kuki's joined in the fray. The Kuki had an ethnic war with the NagasNaga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
in the early 1990s which predominantly was due to the ethnic cleansing propaganda of the NSCN (IM) militants. The Kuki share the same culture, traditions, and genealogical affinity with their brethren of the Chin state in Burma and the Mizos of Mizoram.
Culture
The Kukis have a rich culture and numerous tradition that are unique, interesting, and impressive.Daily life
RiceRice
Rice is the seed of the monocot plants Oryza sativa or Oryza glaberrima . As a cereal grain, it is the most important staple food for a large part of the world's human population, especially in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and the West Indies...
is their staple food. They domesticated a number of animals. Of these, Se'l(mithun) is the most prized possession, while a dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
is considered a faithful animal.
Festivals
Kuki festivalFestival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
s include:
- Sikpuiruoi (Mainly celebrated by the Hmar people)
- Lawm Se’l Neh (a celebration by young people of the community after the season’s work is over)
- Chavang Kut ( a celebration by the whole community after rice harvest)
- Mim Kut (related to maize harvest and similar in content to Cha’ng Kut)
- Sa-Ai (a celebration of a successful big game hunt of big animals)
- Chaang-Ai (a celebration of bounteous rice harvest)
- Hun (an occasion of worship in ancient times)
- Chawn le Han (hosting of this occasion involved feasting and holding of sporting events)
- Ka’ng ka’p (a game in which disc-liked seed is rolled) besides many others.
Music
There are different musical instruments to enhance these festivities.- Kho'ng-pi (big drum)
- Kho'ng-cha (small drum)
- Dah-pi (gong)
- Pe'ngkul (trumpet)
- Gosem (bagpipe)
- Theile (flute)
- Theiphi't (whistle)
- Se'lki (horn)
- Lhe'mlhei (a peculiar mouth instrument)
These instruments were useful not only for raising the festival spirit, but also for adding solemnity to certain serious occasions.
Folklore
The folkloreFolklore
Folklore consists of legends, music, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, fairy tales and customs that are the traditions of a culture, subculture, or group. It is also the set of practices through which those expressive genres are shared. The study of folklore is sometimes called...
of the people abounds with the heroic adventures of Galngam le Hangsai, Chemtatpa, Lengbante, Jamdil, Sangah le Ahpi etc. The poignant romances of Khupting le Ngambom, Jonlhing le Nanglhun, Changkhatpu le Ahshijolneng, Khalvompu le Lenchonghoi; and folktales, such as Chipinthei le Mailangkoh, Lhangeineng and others, represent the rich variety of the Kuki culture.
Ngambom & Khupting: The evergreen Kuki love story
The folklores of the mighty Kukis are unmatched in its own genuineness and decency. If comparison be made in the intensity of lovebarometer (Loborometer), Ngambom & Khupting romance would have surpassed that of the degree of Greek’s “Odyssey” or Hindus’ “Rama & Sita”, which ended in happy reunion and at best be depicted equally the desperado in Shakespear famous play of “Romeo & Juliet”, which ended in remorse tragedy.The Kukis history is deeply rooted with valor, integrity, sanctity and unrelenting commitment to the cause of integral relationship. One such relationship of ‘Romance’ had existed, as legend passed down through to date, between Ngambom and Khupting. Young and Old irrespective of social positions shed tears uncontrollably when the Epic Love story is ever retold in the hearths, workplaces (fields), or even in the sojourn trip, in and around the abode of the mighty Kuki in their Zale’n Gam.
The evergreen story usually commence, once there lived two friendly women, who married with a fine grooms in the same month at the same hamlet in Zale’n Gam. They were friend since their childhood. They had practiced the age old traditional “Lawmcha” working one day at one’s field another day at the other person’s field. Tradition like friendship, fellowship, sportsmanship and occasional festive activities were part of their lives and it only bloom in the land of Benglam, Galngam & Hangsai, Lengchonghoi & Khalvomtepu, Nanglhun & Jonlhing, Jamdil, Ahsijolneng, and et al., which we now known as Kuki Zale’n Gam (The fatherland of Kuki).
The two women continued their lawmcha even after their married life. They both realized that they were with baby in their wombs. One day they both felt excruciating pain in their abdomens. They were still working in the field, there was no one to help them. Out of apathy and partly because they suffer the same nauseating pain, both embraced each other and tried to console one another. Strangely as they rub their bulging stomach, they felt relieved, another time the pain strike, they rubbed their belly; it was a new panacea. They never told this event to any body even their spouses.
Nine months has passed and the ensuing month sparked off the Kukis’ Love Epic Hero and Heroine. One woman gave birth to a baby boy and the parent gave his name Ngambom. The other woman gave to a baby girl and the parent name her Khupting. The two mothers laid their babies, one above the banana trunk another below of it. Whenever they took off to rest and fed their respective baby, to their amazement they found Ngambom and khupting lying side by side not a distance away. This was the strange destiny of Love beneath the skin-every fibers and gems of blood in the body metabolism had acknowledged the predestined “theisen neo kilungset.”
Ngambom and Khupting and their romantic glitz was the talk of the entire Zale’n Gam. The quality and dignity of Ngambom was beyond expression. His talent in the lyrical Gosem music was known in the entire world. Beside this, he was the most handsome person, having the distinctive quality of nobility, courteous, prowess, sportsmanship, integrity and truthfulness in all his works. Khupting proved to be the icon of her days. She was ornately beauty, lovely and excelled other in her musical masterpiece of Lhemlhai lyric. Above all, she was modest, virtuous, lovely, hospitable, meek, kind, and superb in shawl weaving.
The expression of every November full moon (Lhalih Jan) and their love legend couldn’t be rejected or hid. People of Zale’n Gam came to learn the genuine meaning and ideal love from Ngambom-Khupting love living world. Old folks were eager to cast their eyes on the two duo. Young folks peeped beneath and below their rank and file to cast a glimpse of the duo epic lyrical performances.
As always was the case of the epic love stories in Odyssey, Rama-sita, and Romeo-Juliet, the bliss of romance between Ngambom and Khupting were short live. The maxim of full bloom tender-love turned sour when Khupting’s health began to deteriorated day by days. Khupting body shrunk away, yet her beauty never faded. The Parents, Priests (thiempu) and many physicians couldn’t preserve the tenderous beauty life of Khupting.
Ngambom had tried day after days, and year after years following the “Apeu Vadung” (Apeu river- known to be present Irrawaddy river in Burma), to find the drifting hair of Khupting. The village priest advice Ngambom to get Khupting hair and put khoigip attach to stone in the middle of Apeu river, hoping the running water might healed the ailment of his darling. But the sudden storm and heavy torrential rain in the night flooded the river basin, eroding away including the big stone to which khupting hair was stamped with khoigip. This worsen the lingering health of Khupting. Her health was beyond repair and she eventually succumbed to death leaving the entire Kuki Nation shock and sorrow.
The pain of separation from Khupting due to the untimely demise, in Ngambom life was beyond human strength to bear. He was driven half mad and no one can replaced his darling in life but only Khupting. To find solace, peace and restrain, Ngambom snatched his Gosem and played the sweet lyrical music by blowing gently. He was amazed to find another companion whenever he played his tunes-the Whizzing bee (khoiva) whirled around the organ pipes, seemingly dancing in tune with the heartbeats of the blower.
Khupting parent invited Ngambom to cut the branches of Thingzabuong in the central of their field (Legend depicts that this tree can be seen on the moon at every full moon night). Selneng who was the younger sister of Khupting attempted to appease Ngambom and appeal for his love by offering sweets and gifts. Yet Ngambom had one love in life though his love bird had been taken mercilessly by the stink of sickness and death. The day in which he was asked to cut the branches of Thingzabuong, Ngambom prepared with his sharp knife, tuibuh (podium of apiate), and his Gosem musical instrument. He climbed up the big bushel trees and began to cut off the wild flourishing branches. Ngambom felt the buzzing sweet tune around him and sensed the present of Khupting Lhaulha (spirit). Ngambom then took a short break, pulled out his Gosem and composed his great Love-song. The tune came through the bamboo pipes of Gosem :
“Abah langkhat kalham leh sim’a mal’a toingei kisai kisai’e.”
The nearest English translation would be: As I cut the branch off, my destined love in the east and west dances gently and mildly in the air. Ngambom was overjoyed having consoled by Khupting’s spirit and he continued to talk through his musical pipes;
“Khupting Lhaulha nahi leh, simlang nga in kisai kisai ‘e.”
(If you are the spirit of Khupting, turn east and show your gracefully flying dance). The Whizzing bee responded the melodious love mantras from Ngambom and turned east and splatter its wings and responded with sweet buzzing sound similar to Lhemlhai.
Ngambom spoke to Khupting again through his musical tune;
“Khupting Lhaulha nahi leh, mal lam nga in kisai kisai ‘e.”
(If you are the spirit of Khupting, turn west and show your gracefully flying dance). The bee heartily followed the rhythmic thumbing musical notes. When the music stop, the bee disappeared. It appeared again when the Gosem music is aired melodiously.
How did Ngambom passed his last days? Did he marry Selneng the younger sister of Khupting? Those story, who would bother, when Ngambom played his Gosem and Khupting Lhaulha (spirit) in a form of Whizzing bee came to appear to be with him. The Kuki folklore of Ngambom and Khupting deserved world recognition. It is an epic preserved in the muzzles of Gosem -the Kuki traditional musical instrument.
Philosophical insight:
Love seems to have no barrier. Even death can’t separate the fibers of love.
Two different and opposite worlds have no panacea to control over Love.
People say, “love is blind,” yet this Epic Love story says “Love never dies.”
Customs and traditions
The land of the Kukis is blessed with rich customsConvention (norm)
A convention is a set of agreed, stipulated or generally accepted standards, norms, social norms or criteria, often taking the form of a custom....
and traditions.
Sawm
Sawm, a community center for boys – was the center of learning in which Sawm-upa (an elder) did the teaching, while Sawm-nu took care of chores, such as combing of the boy’s hair, washing of the garments and making the beds, etc. The best students were recommended to the King’s or the Chief’s service, and eventually would become as Semang & Pachong (ministers) in the courts, or gal –lamkai (leaders/ warriors) in the army.Lawm
Lawm (a traditional form of youth club) was an institution in which, boys and girls engaged in social activities, for the benefit of the individual and the community. It was also another learning institution. Every Lawm has lawm-upa (a senior member), To’llai-pao (overseer or superintendent), and Lawm-tangvo (assistant superintendent). Besides being a source of traditional learning, Lawm was also useful for imparting technical and practical knowledge to its members, especially with regard to farming methods, huntingHunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
, fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, and sporting activities such as- Kung – Kal (high jump, especially over a choice mithum), Ka’ng Ka’p, Ka’ngchoi Ka’p (top game), Suhtumkhaw (javelin throw using the heavy wooden implement for pounding-de-husking-paddy) and So’ngse (shot put). The Lawm was also a center where the young people learned discipline and social etiquette. After harvest season, ‘Lawm meet’ is celebrated with a Lawm-se’l (on the occasion, a mithun is slaughtered for the feast) and, as a commemoration, a pillar is erected. The event is accompanied by dance and drinking rice-beer, which sometimes continues for days and nights.
Male Characteritics
The Kuki male traditionally wore his hair in the form of a Tuhcha (long hair rolled up in a bunch at the nape). His clothing consisted of a Boitong-Sangkhol (a half-sleeve jacket) and a Pheichawm (short lungi). They are renowned hunters and reputable warriors. Their hunting kit consists of Se’llung-bawm (a leather waist-pouch for pellets), Se’lki meiloupai (an animal’s horn for storing gunpowderGunpowder
Gunpowder, also known since in the late 19th century as black powder, was the first chemical explosive and the only one known until the mid 1800s. It is a mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate - with the sulfur and charcoal acting as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidizer...
) and a knife
Knife
A knife is a cutting tool with an exposed cutting edge or blade, hand-held or otherwise, with or without a handle. Knives were used at least two-and-a-half million years ago, as evidenced by the Oldowan tools...
. Watchful waiting on a machaan for the game also did a favorite past time hunting. Often, many kinds of traps and snares are also set. The fishing equipment consists of Len (fishing net
Fishing net
A fishing net or fishnet is a net that is used for fishing. Fishing nets are meshes usually formed by knotting a relatively thin thread. Modern nets are usually made of artificial polyamides like nylon, although nets of organic polyamides such as wool or silk thread were common until recently and...
), Bawm (basket trap), Ngakoi (fishing hook
Fish hook
A fish hook is a device for catching fish either by impaling them in the mouth or, more rarely, by snagging the body of the fish. Fish hooks have been employed for centuries by fishermen to catch fresh and saltwater fish. In 2005, the fish hook was chosen by Forbes as one of the top twenty tools...
s). Ngoituh (a method of using dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
s and basket
Basket
A basket is a container which is traditionally constructed from stiff fibres, which can be made from a range of materials, including wood splints, runners, and cane. While most baskets are made from plant materials, other materials such as horsehair, baleen, or metal wire can be used. Baskets are...
s in a flowing river
River
A river is a natural watercourse, usually freshwater, flowing towards an ocean, a lake, a sea, or another river. In a few cases, a river simply flows into the ground or dries up completely before reaching another body of water. Small rivers may also be called by several other names, including...
), Ngalhei (draining out water) and Gusuh (a method of temporally stunning fish by using toxic herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
s) were also common methods of catching fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
in small streams. The Kuki men took great pride in big-game hunting and a killing of big animals was followed by somber celebration. The Kukis believed that the big game hunted in a man’s lifetime would accompany him in his after-life journey-the spirits of animals would clear the onward path for him. It was therefore believed that a man was not complete unless he was also successful in big game hunting; he would not be entitled to partake in Lalju, a special drink meant for those who have killed big game.
Women Characteristics
The Kuki women traditionally wore their hair in two plaits braided around the head. They wore a Nih-San (a red slip) underneath a Po’nve (a wrap-around), which was worn from above the chest. The ornaments included Bilba (earrings), Hah le Chao (braceletBracelet
A bracelet is an article of jewelry which is worn around the wrist. Bracelets can be manufactured from metal, leather, cloth, plastic or other materials and sometimes contain jewels, rocks, wood, and/or shells...
s and bangle
Bangle
Bangles or churi are traditional ornaments worn mostly by South Asian women in India and Bangladesh, especially Hindus. It is tradition that the bride will try to wear as many small glass bangles as possible at her wedding and the honeymoon will end when the last bangle breaks...
s), Khi (necklace
Necklace
A necklace is an article of jewellery which is worn around the neck. Necklaces are frequently formed from a metal jewellery chain. Others are woven or manufactured from cloth using string or twine....
), and occasionally Bilkam (a type of ring-shaped earring worn to stretch the earlobe
Earlobe
The human earlobe is composed of tough areolar and adipose connective tissues, lacking the firmness and elasticity of the rest of the pinna. Since the earlobe does not contain cartilage it has a large blood supply and may help to warm the ears and maintain balance. However earlobes are not...
s). Cha’ngsuh (grain
GRAIN
GRAIN is a small international non-profit organisation that works to support small farmers and social movements in their struggles for community-controlled and biodiversity-based food systems. Our support takes the form of independent research and analysis, networking at local, regional and...
-pounding), Cha’ngse’p (winnowing), Ponkhon (cloth-weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
) and looking after domestic animals were some of the daily chores of the women folk. The woven designs of the Kuki women are unique and appreciated the world over. Cha’ng-ai, the place of honor for a good harvest was given to the lady of the house. This formed the highest honor accorded to the Kuki woman. The men folk occupied themselves with cane and bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
crafts and house building. They were blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
s and also engaged in carpentry
Carpentry
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
and other such like jobs. The manufacture of gun
Gun
A gun is a muzzle or breech-loaded projectile-firing weapon. There are various definitions depending on the nation and branch of service. A "gun" may be distinguished from other firearms in being a crew-served weapon such as a howitzer or mortar, as opposed to a small arm like a rifle or pistol,...
s and gunpowder were a very specialized profession among the men. Twi-cha’ngsu (water mill)’ and Chotle’p (a sea-saw mechanism), are some of the ingenious methods used for pounding rice with minimum use of human energy. Sawh and Ke’ngke (noise creating instruments) functioned as the scarecrow
Scarecrow
A scarecrow is, essentially, a decoy, though traditionally, a human figure dressed in old clothes and placed in fields by farmers to discourage birds such as crows or sparrows from disturbing and feeding on recently cast seed and growing crops.-History:In Kojiki, the oldest surviving book in Japan...
and were placed in the cultivated fields. Twisawh was another inventive contraption, which used running water from a stream making continual sounds to scare away birds and pests from standing crops.
Governance
With regard to governance, Semang (cabinet) is the annual assembly of a Kuki village community held at the Chief’s residence represents the Inpi (Assembly). In such an assembly, the Chief and his Semang and Pachong (cabinet members and auxiliary of Inpi) and all the household heads of the village congregate to discuss and resolve matters relating to the villageVillage
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
and the community
Community
The term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
Legal system
The legal system – arrangement of a girl's marriage, bride-price, and the Chief's administrative system, relief for widows and orphans – are elaborately and systematically defined in the Kukis' way-of-life. Traditionally, polygamyPolygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
is not permissible. Capital punishment
Capital punishment
Capital punishment, the death penalty, or execution is the sentence of death upon a person by the state as a punishment for an offence. Crimes that can result in a death penalty are known as capital crimes or capital offences. The term capital originates from the Latin capitalis, literally...
was never in practice. The maximum penalty was ‘bultuh’ (stockade in which the guilty was kept outside the village and provided food until death). This reflects the high ethics of the Kuki people.
Judicial process
The Kukis also practiced Twilut, a judicial process of judgment by going under water. Twilut is a phenomenon in which the litigants are subjected to go under water to determine the culprit. It is an ultimate and decisive recourse for cases where the normal processes of trialTrial
A trial is, in the most general sense, a test, usually a test to see whether something does or does not meet a given standard.It may refer to:*Trial , the presentation of information in a formal setting, usually a court...
by court does not reach a conclusive end. In the event of resorting to twilut, certain customs are strictly adhered to. The chief and elders of the community call upon the thempu (magic-medicine man
Medicine man
"Medicine man" or "Medicine woman" are English terms used to describe traditional healers and spiritual leaders among Native American and other indigenous or aboriginal peoples...
/priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
) to conduct the proceedings. For instance, in a boundary dispute, the two litigants are brought into the presence of the public. The 'thempu' then recites ritual
Ritual
A ritual is a set of actions, performed mainly for their symbolic value. It may be prescribed by a religion or by the traditions of a community. The term usually excludes actions which are arbitrarily chosen by the performers....
s, which includes the invocation of ‘Pathen’ (God), followed by the litigants being submerged in the water. The culprit becomes immediately apparent because she/he cannot remain underwater at all. Of the two litigants, the defaulter would be in absolute agony, experiencing extreme sensations of being inflamed from within, and therefore emerge to the surface. In contrast, the innocent person able to remain under water, quite normally.
Language
Kuki People speak multiple languages of the Kukish family. These are spoken mainly in Manipur Hills, and closely related speech varieties is found in adjoining states of Assam, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, parts of Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh, across the Indo-Burmese border (where they are known as Chin), and in Chittagong Hills district of Bangladesh.The dialects spoken by the various clans and tribes can be broadly categorise into "L" and "R" Group.
Writing
It is known that the Kukis were in possession of some documents, inscribed on leatherLeather
Leather is a durable and flexible material created via the tanning of putrescible animal rawhide and skin, primarily cattlehide. It can be produced through different manufacturing processes, ranging from cottage industry to heavy industry.-Forms:...
, known as Savun Lekhajo’l (scroll
Scroll
A scroll is a roll of parchment, papyrus, or paper, which has been drawn or written upon.Scroll may also refer to:*Scroll , the decoratively curved end of the pegbox of string instruments such as violins...
). These scrolls were lost in the passage of time and along with this, the Kukis also lost their script. Therefore, there is no known Kuki script. Today, the Roman script forms the basis for Kuki literature.
Literature
The academic and Kuki National Organisation spokesman Seilen Haokip has written a number of articles and books about the Kuki and tribal relations in northeastern India.http://in.news.yahoo.com/061009/211/68chl.html.The Bible has been translated in all tribes dialect of the kuki Society.
Education
Although the existence of formal learning institutions is not available, the Kukis were not unfamiliar with astronomyAstronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
and astrology
Astrology
Astrology consists of a number of belief systems which hold that there is a relationship between astronomical phenomena and events in the human world...
. They were able to study the stars and the phases of the moon and could forecast for themselves certain aspects of nature, particularly rainfall, drought and the seasons.
External links
- Kuki Forum
- ZOLENGTHE | Connecting the Zou Tribe
- Zale'n-gam: The Kuki Nation
- Sinlung Sinlung - Kuki People Connect
- http://www.thegosem.com