Kuki (Indic people); Lushai (Asian people); Lushai language
[4. Affinities.] The Lushais are more or less closely allied
to all the tribes now living in their vicinity, but some who show
this most strongly, such as the Chiru, Kom, Aimol, are now settled
in the Manipur State, while the intervening country is occupied by
clans belonging to the Thado, Paihte, and Khawtlang families, which,
though no doubt of the same stock, are more distantly connected. It
seems certain that the former clans lived near the Lusheis when the
Thangur commenced their victorious career, and it may well be that
it was fear of absorption by their more powerful neighbour that drove
these clans northwards, while the Lusheis took a westerly direction.
The connection between the Lusheis and their eastern neighbours is
apparent both in their language and in their customs, but the eastern
tribes, known to us generally as Chins, are of finer physique and,
owing to their having permanent villages, the differences between
clans have become more marked than among the semi-nomadic Lushais
and Kukis. The feuds between different clans, which are always found
where permanent villages exist, tend to widen the breach between
communities and to accentuate every accidental variation of custom,
so that the common origin is soon lost sight of. Nevertheless there is
no doubt that the Kukis, Chins, and Lushais are all of the same race.
Less apparent but still quite traceable is the relationship between
the Lushais and the Kabuis and Manipuris, though the latter nowadays
try in every way to disown all connection with their poor relations.
[5. Dress.] The men's dress could not well be simpler, consisting
as it does of a single cloth about 7 feet long and 5 wide. It is worn
as follows:--One corner is grasped in the left hand, and the cloth is
passed over the left shoulder, behind the back, under the right arm
across the chest and the end thrown over the left shoulder. Although
it would appear probable that clothing so loosely worn would be
continually falling off, yet, as a matter of fact, accidents of that
sort seldom occur. In cold weather, one or more cloths are worn, one
over the other, and also a white coat, reaching well down the thigh
but only fastened at the throat. These coats are ornamented on the
sleeves with bands of red and white of various patterns. When at work,
in hot weather, the Lushai wraps his cloth round his waist, letting
the ends hang down in front, and should he find the sun warm and if
he is wearing two cloths, he will wear one as a puggri. Puggris are
sometimes worn when out in the sun for long, and some affect rather
a quaint style, twisting the cloth round the head so as to make an
end stand up straight over each ear.
All these garments are of cotton, grown locally and manufactured
by the women of the household. The cloths in general use are white,
but every man likes to have two or three blue cloths ornamented with
stripes of various colours.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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