Kuki (Indic people); Lushai (Asian people); Lushai language
The Old Kukis who appeared in Cachar about 1780 are described
by Lieutenant Stewart as being divided into three clans called
Rhangkol, Khelma, and Beteh. The first and last are known in the
Lushai Hills as Hrangchal and Biate respectively, but the Khelma,
whom Dr. Grierson identifies as the Hallam, seem to have emigrated
entirely. The Hrangchal and Biate are two of many clans collectively
known to the Lushais as Hmar--i.e., North--from the position of their
villages with reference to those of the Lushais, and among themselves
as Khawtlang and Khawchhak--i.e., Western and Eastern Villages I have
found representatives of 16 clans in the Lushai Hills and adjoining
portions of Manipur. The most important are Loitlang, subdivided
into six families; Hrangchal, with four families; Thiak, with five
families; and Biate, with the same number. The old village sites of
many of these clans are still called by their names. The Hrangchal
are said to have had a large village at Vanlaiphai, in the centre
of which valley is a large memorial stone with many carvings on it,
which is said to have been erected in memory of Chonluma, a famous
Hrangchal chief of bygone days. The Biate assert that when they lived
on the hill of that name they were attacked by huge eagles, and had
to build stone shelters in which to hide their small children. These
erections are still to be seen, and consist of three rough slabs of
stone with a fourth as a roof, the whole structure being only about 2
to 3 feet high. It was the Biate, also, who fed Rulpui, as has been
described in Part I., Chapter V, 3. The Lungthau, a minor family,
attribute their downfall to an attack by Chuckmahs, which led to
their seeking refuge with the Sailo chief Lalsavunga, and forming a
village at Kelsi, near Aijal, where they were under his protection.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account