Zotung people
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2015) |
The Zotung people are one of the ethnic groups in
From 1933, their language was recorded using the
Traditions
Religion (Beihnaw)
The Zotung believed in Pachia (God) as the supreme God. They also believed evil entities, known as Khozi (gods), roamed around world. Khozis caused great mischief and would cause a person to be in a state of hnam. They appeased to the various Khozi through the high priests for their health, wealth, safety and the prosperity of the land through Khuarum services. However, they did not sacrifice to Pachia because he was believed to not cause harm or wickedness to humans. In recent years the believe in Khozi have slowly begun to vanished as more people convert to Christianity.
Death and Afterlife
The Zotung believed those that died as commoners went to Mitchi Khua, literally abode of the dead. Inside Mitchi Khua, there were two divisions. The first is Pucchi (Pulthi) where those that died a normal, non violent death went. Pucchi deaths were followed by village wide feasts and drinking. It was mourned by all the people and lasted 3 to 5 days. The other death is Sawchi (Sarthi) where those that died a violent, supernatural death or from a disease were categorized as. The relatives of the Sawchi were considered potentially dangerous and were avoided. The Sawchi corpse was immediately buried and no rites were performed. Only the closest of relatives were allowed to attend burial. When the Sawchi burial was over, the family killed a hen. They placed the blood of the hen and mixed in maize. They cried
Ka tungvaw’ e Sawsi hin uiccopi chite aemen, naedi thy te vaedi nih pon thiangsa ula, Khuanipi nih cawkhae sala!
Oh! The sickness inside me, be cleansed from the blood of the cock and maize. Let the sun set you also.
Counting forth from that day, they stayed isolated for 7 days then were they considered clean.
On the other hand, those that died an honourable death such as through battle, through death rites or hosted a great festival went to Hotheng. Though Mitchi Khua is less desired, it was not a place for eternal punishment but simply a permanent place for the dead to reside. Hotheng was a place for the ones with great wealth and riches. They feasted eternally and enjoyed themselves.
Between the three human realms was Lunglei Mual or Lunglei Hill. This was the check point for all the deceased. There lived the goddess Sawnnung that ruled over the realms. She led the dead to their rightful place. But first Sawnnung took the dead to a lake known as Rih Tui to drink from the lake. The water from Rih Tui was special. It made all that drank from it forget about their previous life so that they live happily in their new realm.
When the western missionaries entered Zoram, these people converted to Christianity starting around the 1900s.
Clothing
The Zotungs wore clothes like other Zo groups. For daily life, the men wore Anki (a cotton shirt), Boei (a large shawl), or were wrapped in fur. For special occasions the men were clothed with feathers, Ccunnak Boei, colourful Boeis, and jewellery. Women wore the Burmese longyi either with traditional patterns or plain ones. They also wore Anki and Boei. Zotung Traditional cloth is believed to have originated as a parting gift to a man from tuithangnung (Mermaid) who fell in love with the man (Sempi-Tho Khe). However the relationship was cursed because no one was to know of their existence. if the man (Sempi-Tho Khe) chose to reveal them then he would have to die. However, after heavy Persuasion from the man's family he informed them of their existence. At the Funeral of the man (Sempi-Tho Khe) the Tuithangnung is able to see him one last time. Her visit was not known by anyone as she put a sleeping spell on them. However, she allowed an old lady to see her. The recounts of the old lady state that tuithangnung stayed the whole night, hanging beautiful patterned blankets around his bed. Then as the sunrise was near she hurried to pack her belongings and she left two of her blankets. These patterned clothing is then recreated by those who were talented in sewing and has now become a special clothing worn on important occasions. The clothing was then believed to have been traded to other people living in local areas and thus slowly became the national clothing within the Chin community (Chin National Clothing). Many tribes have adopted their own variation of colours and patterns But the clothing of Zotung people is the original patterned and colour from tuithangnung.
Zo literature or Zo ccaw
Although some people say that there is a legend saying that the first Chin script was written on leather or animal skin which was eaten away by a dog, there is no such kind of stories told by forefathers. Zoccaw (Zo script/Zo alphabet) was the first script introduced among these people using the "
Historical records are needed to confirm the identity of these people groups.
Natural disaster 2015
Zotung (Chin) people are heavily affected by natural disaster that hits the country on July 19 and August 3, 2015. 364 houses were destroyed and all paddy fields and crops were destroyed. All roads and bridges are stopped by landslides. Zotung Relief Committee is responding to the urgent needs of the people.[1]
References
- ^ zotung relief committee paper