RELIGION
AND CULTURE
In the initial stages the aboriginal tribal society followed the animistic
way of religious life. Animism made religion of all mysteries and started
worshipping the unknown spirit. Any thing which threatened them and caused death
was most powerful for them. They believed that the spirit is the root cause
behind death. This belief led them to propitiate the spirit. Later it became
the ritual. They also believed that the animals they take as food can be offered
to please the spirit so that they themselves are not harmed. Thus started the
concept of animal sacrifice. They smeared the objects of their faith with blood
as they felt blood was something important for life. Mysteries confused their
minds. Superstitions became part and parcel of their faith. They followed
curious customs for social life and also followed strongly the cult of the dead.
The Nagas worship a strange shaped stone. It is on a hill top and is called
Lai-Pham. Heaps of rice, leaves, flowers and tobacco offerings are seen in front
of the stone. Maram Nagas believe in Rain deity. Quireng Nagas believe that
Kampinu deity established hills for them. The Kabuis believe in one supreme
deity but they say that the man was created by Dumpa-poee deity on the direction
of the supreme deity. Mao Nags believe that earthquakes is caused by Pekujike
deity. They translate dreams in different meanings.
Beliefs
To find out the good or bad omens or to cure the patients or to get the
effect of the evil spirit removed, an egg is broken and its yolk is examined by
the animist priest. On examining the egg he tells about the type of the spirit
which had cast spell upon the patient or any other members of the family.
Depending upon the intensity of the effect of the spirit or the type of the
spirit, animal sacrifice is suggested. If the effect is not very serious then a
hen is sacrificed, otherwise a pig or dog is sacrificed. In case if it is very
severe then the sacrifice of buffalo or mithun may also be suggested. The meat
of the sacrificed animal is given to the patient. The blood is smeared on the
deity and some pieces of the meat are offered to the deity or the spirit. They
believe in ancestor worship and that the spirit of the dead assumes the form of
ghost. Some offerings are occasionally made to the dead. Child birth ceremonies
are performed with pomp and show especially in case of the chief's son. The dead
are buried and their clothes, spears, daos, shields, drinking cup etc. are
buried with them for their use in the next world. Tobacco and pipe are kept near
the hand. Some provide a spear and kill a dog to keep along with the deceased in
the grave. The idea is that the dog will accompany him on the journey to
the other world. They believe in the existence of two worlds. One in which we
are living and the other where one goes after death. The Kukis believe in some supreme God whom they call Pathian
(Pasian). The
sacrifices of dog, pig or hen are made. They believe that plagues and
misfortunes are caused by Khozing God. Their goddess are Lungjai, Khozing,
Khhanu, Vanchungmula, Pavana and Vanhrika. The Anals call their God as Asaparan.
They believe in spirits and call them siha and Sikha (Ramhuai) which reside in
mountains, caves, water, lakes, rocks, holes, springs, water-falls and rivers.
They also believe in ghosts.
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