User:Baigomoni Molsom/sandbox

MOLSOM PEOPLE Anthropologically, Molsoms are one of the oldest indigenous tribes of Tripura, are originally of Kuki-Chin-Zomi stock of Tibeto-Burman. Their features are of mongoloid but have no distinct features and color. The male sect of Molsoms used to wear earrings and had long hair. Molsoms are simple and easy going, introvert and shy, non-violent and God fearing people. They are honest and kind hearted people welcomes others as their own, easily can mingle with other Tribes. Molsoms have their own language, similar to other Kuki-Chin-Zomi groups. They can also speak Kokborok and other languages. From the historical account, Molsoms belong to one of the ‘Halam’ communities in Tripura. Halam is a community under which 12 (twelve) sub- tribes of Kuki-Chin-Zomi speaking people are grouped together such as: Molsom, Kaipeng, Hrangkhawl, Koloi, Rupini, Bongcher, Sangkh-achep, Marchephang, Korbong, Churoi, Hranglong and Longkai. It is believed that all these small groups of Kuki-Chin-Zomi people had come to be known as ‘Halam’ during the reign of Maharaja Ratna Fa (King Ratna Manikya) – the 152nd king of then Tripura. It is worthwhile to mention that the then king had given recognisation to all small groups of Kuki-Chin-Zomi speaking people so to save their identity, culture and tradition. The king then had given them rights to exercise their sovereignty through their own customs and culture. Today, they still exercise their archaic customs, culture and tradition in their society. But, the origin of the above names has brought a second thought as how they had been divided into many groups. It had been an untouched subject for so long. In fact, it is unfortunate to learn that all the Halams like to be called themselves by these names. Today these factions have brought a dilemma into their identity. However, some attempts have been made to bring the facts behind such divisions. One such factor was due to the medium of their livelihood system. Traditionally all Halams were dependent on Jhum. Jhum was their main source of livelihood and down the passage of time these people had scattered around in search of their livelihood and such they had been under stray for generations. But each group or villages were living in abundance and self-sustained at that time. Therefore, there was no exchange much neither any Trade system amongst themselves which was another factor resulted a huge gap of communication; as a result, in gradual course of time such a long years together has shaped different names and different identities to the same people. Today linguistically they can still communicate with each other, more-or-less similar except two communities such as Koloi and Rupini. Amongst Molsoms, there are another twelve clans or sub-caste which are commonly called as ‘Paan-chi’. Paan-chi is a family name inherited from their forefathers and today these Paan-Chi’s are still maintained in the Molsom society. The Paan-chi’s are: 1) Tuisum 2) Si-ngar 3) Deorai 4) Achep 5) Sung-phun 6) Mapu 7) Lengmaan 8) Uisa 9) Lungthung 10) Nokham 11) Nompar and 12) Laurak. It is worthwhile to mention that some Paan-Chi’s are also common to other Halam communities. Therefore, Paan-chi is another common thread which can play a vital role in rebuilding the social fabric of the Halam communities in the future. Molsoms have their own customs under which the village is being functioned and governed; every village had a village-head who looks after the social affairs and village law and order. The head of the village is known as ‘Chaudhry’. It is interesting to note that the ‘Chaudhry’’ is being nominated by the villagers in the democratic process and sometimes the eldest member of the village is chosen. But as a community, Molsoms are commanded under the chieftainship of ‘Rai’ –a clan head who represents Molsoms to the royal court of Tripura King. By custom, culture and social order Molsoms were kept as number one community in the past during the regime of the then king. But today, the traditional Molsom system of self-governing villages is almost a defunct institution; as a result, it has led to the erosion of traditional strength that disintegrated the people. Molsoms live in the highland areas, hilltops and slopes. They are concentrated in the Atharomura and Baromura Hill ranges and in the plain areas of foot hills. It is therefore, most of the traditional houses were built on the slopes on stilts in the pile dwelling style. In earlier times, the houses were commonly built by the villagers. Such a tradition of the practice was known as ‘hrasamn’. So a careful study of the older times shows that the practice of ‘hrasamn’ was a vital aspect of Molsom way of life. So it is relevant to note that the traditional house of Molsoms was the collective product of the society. Bamboo was the principal material for construction as the resources were in abundance. Their typical house is a single rectangular structure raised above the ground. The house has a covered verandah in the front and an open verandah at the back. A large enclosed room is located between these verandahs. A ladder made out of a piece of log is placed across the space between the floor of the house and the ground. Bamboo matting is used in the floor. The walls are made of woven bamboo matt. The roof consists of solid bamboo as well as split bamboo frames covered with thatch. Cane and bamboo splits soaked in water are used to fasten the joineries and the structure. The doors and windows are usually of bamboo matting and are fastened to the walls. Both married and unmarried members of the family live together but separate sleeping apartments are made by screens made of bamboo matting partitions or with a cloth fixed to bamboo or wooden frame. In one corner of the house the cooking area is placed which is made of clay raised above the floor. Above the fire place a bamboo frame is hung for storage of cooking items and to dry chilies, meat, dry fish, etc. But over the last three decades, Molsom architectural tradition of using bamboo and thatch in the construction of houses has become a diminishing trend amongst the majority of Molsoms. The houses are now replaced with Tin (CGI) sheets and from the temporary bamboo houses to semi-permanent mud houses are built. Even with the advent of new materials, cemented floorings and brick walls are constructed. Some houses are even built with permanent RCC structures. Down the line of 25-30years, the adoption of new materials in their built environment has almost diminished the traditional system of building construction. It is therefore, suspected that the process of the socio-economic development that has been followed is one factor responsible for the erosion of the traditional strength of Molsom community. Traditionally, the Molsoms practiced Jhum Cultivation i.e. burn-and-slash, Cyclic, Shifting Cultivation. This is the reason the Molsoms are today scattered into many small hamlets. It is therefore unfortunate to learn that such an ethnographic scene has deprived the community from the benefits of development and posing a serious threat to the Molsom identity. Today Jhum is still practiced by a section of Molsoms. It is noteworthy to mention here that Jhum cultivation does not only serve their means of livelihood but was also an integral part of their way of life. Tradition tell us that the girls father put a condition to the prospective groom to grow Jhum before his marriage- to proof his skills and capability to run a family; only aftermath, the groom can marry the bride but provided the production of the crops was satisfactory. The other condition is that the prospective groom had to build a dwelling house called ‘Koireng’ in the Jhum field while cultivation. The other aspects of Jhum cultivation is that the village youth both men and women come to Jhum together and help amongst themselves on rotation (shifts). Jhum is the most happening place amongst the youth. They sing and dance together across the hills and mountains in the Jhum fields. It is necessary to take note of this system that it has been responsible in shaping the character of a Molsom person as well as the Molsoms society. Every villager produced his or her requirement of food. They grew rice, maize, cucumber and other green leafy vegetables. They also grew cash crops like sesamum, local cotton, jute and chilies which are sold to the nearby Bazaar and with that they purchase their weekly required commodities. The Molsoms dependence on the outside world was confined to only a few commodities i.e. salt, dry fish, Kerosene Oil and Metal items. Every Molsom village was completely self reliant in the fulfillment of the primary necessities of life i.e. food, clothing and shelter. But today, the element of self-reliance of a village has already disappeared as the society is transforming and changing. In recent years, however, the Jhum cultivation has been a less practice due to reservation of forest policy imposed by the Government; as a result a majority of people from shifting cultivation to settled cultivation on permanent, irrigated fields has put into practice and introduced in many villages those possessing some level land, and this change in agricultural methods has caused economic as well as social changes. The Molsoms are very fond of meat, their main source of protein. Each family rears pigs and poultry, gottery and some families also rear cattle. This practice of animal husbandry meets with the requirement of meat for own consumption. Hunting wild boars and deers in the jungle was a favourite activity but no more in vogue today. But fishing in streams or rivers is still seen as a practice. Now-a-days, they culture fish in the Ponds for commercial production and also villagers are rearing Pigs and Poultry for economic generation which is seen as a vital change into the Molsom society.