User:TheMolsom

Introduction

The Molsom tribe is a sub-group of Halam community of Tripura in North-East part of India. They are also found in Mizoram, Assam and other parts of North-East Indian state and Bangladesh. As per 2011 population census of India the Molsoms population is about 57,510 approximately living in India. It is believed that the Molsoms are known as No.1 Halam in the long past and is prevailing till today. It is therefore, taken for granted that the culture of the Molsoms must be similar to that of the rest of Halam sub-tribes in comparison. It is also found that with regard to their traditional food habits, rites and rituals, dialectical pronunciation are worth mentioning today. From the customary popular belief, we know that the number of sub-groups or sub-tribes in the 'Halam' community is 12(Twelve) in number. This is why, all the sub-tribes or sub-groups of the Halam community are popularly called as 'Baro Halam'(a community consists of twelve sub-tribes). The 'Halamsa' and the 'Kanchikou' from the Molsom tribe are the leaders among the Halam community. All the Molsoms has to pay tax to the TipraMaharaja and tax are in the form of goods and commodities. In various hamlets and villages their are local Chief called as 'Choukdri' As we know that the Halam Community consists of some sub-tribes namely, (1) Molsom (2) Kaipeng (3) Hrangkhawl (4) Kalai (5) Rupini (6) Bongcher(7) Karbong (8) Langkai (9) Chorei (10) Morsophang (11) Ranglong and (12) Thangachep In addition to the above, the following sub-tribes also merged with the Halam Community. They are- (1) Saimar, (2) Dab and   (3) Sangachep. Actually, all these sub-tribes came from some original Halam sub-tribes like Bongcher, Karbong, Langkai, Morsophang, Ranglong and Thangachep etc. It is interesting to note that each of the Molsom tribe consisting of clans 'Tero-Panchi' 13 clans. For instance, the Molsom tribe also consists of 13(Thirteen) clans, such as - (1) Sungphun (2) Uisa (3) Lengman (4) Mapu (5) Nokham (6) Nawmpor (7) Lourâk (8) Singâr (9) Achep (10) Lungthung (11) Dourai, (12) Tuisum and (13) Rawnte. Among all the clans the Sungphun and Mapu clan are the majority clans 'panchi'. All these clans 'panchi' are named after some natural objects/causes with the environment and nature. It is said that 'Nawmpor' clan is named after leaf; Nokham after a house on fire; Achep after forceps; Lungthung after pyre; Singar after a wild cat.

Language : The Molsoms also have a language of their own like any other sub-tribe belongs to the language of Tibeto-Burman and belonging to Chin-Kuki-Mizo family. Besides this, the Kalai and Rupini with other sub-tribes' dialects are found to be almost synonymous. The Kalai and Rupini use Tripuri language, which is called 'Kokborok'. It is surprising to know that how the Kalai and Rupini are included into Halam community, though they speak in 'Kokborok'. It said to be in earlier days due to dwelling in the same hamlets and inter-marriage of that Molsom and Halam community.

The Language : The Molsoms also have a language of their own like any other sub-tribe. Besides, Kalai and Rupini, the rests of the sub-tribes' dialects are found to be almost synonymous. The Kalai and Rupini use Tripuri language, which is called Kokborok. It is surprising to know that how the Kalai and Rupini are included into Halam community, though they speak in Kokborok.