Anthropology, Archealogy, paper, Rongmei, Thesis

MARRIAGEAND DOWRY SYSTEM OF THE RONGMEI NAGA IN BARAK VALLEY


Abstract

Rongmei is one of the oldest major Tribes of Nagas inhabited in the North-Eastern region of India. The Rongmei Naga belongs to the Tibeto Barman family of the Mongoloid race. The ancestral home of the Rongmei lies in the mountain ranges in the South and South-western parts of Manipur including Churachandpur and Tamenglong District. Later, they migrated to the SouthAssam speciallyin Barak Valley. In the Rongmei Marriage System the process of Solicitation; negotiation; for a bride begins from October-April of the Year. It is said that the attempt of Solicitation for a Bride (Nouthanmei) takes quite a long period from two to Seven or more years in the old days. On the day of Settlement of Marriage, if the parent so desire and agree, a convenient date is fixed with the Solicitants for fixing the number of Bridal cost (dowry from man Side) or Malshing rem khang. In the Early days the Bridal cost was paid after one year of the settlement. ‘Malsing Remmei’ denotes to determine the actual number of Bridal cost demanded by the parent of the girl. As usual practice, before the day fixed for determination of bridal cost, the parents of the girl used to consult and discuss the senior family members. In Barak Valley traditional practice of bridal cost in kinds is compulsory. Under the traditional custom of Rongmei there were two kinds of Bridal cost, namely i) The bridal cost of the virgin girl ii) The cost of the Widow. It is customary law to bring a big cock by the bride’s family to the bridegrooms house for formal marriage ceremony and to examine its legs. Imitating the practice of the divine Marriage ceremony of Diphungpu and Dikoilunglu, brides family brought a cock to examine the omen in the holy marriage and formal presentation ceremony of dowry. This tradition continues till today.

International Conference on Women’s Empowerment, Laws, Feminism, Gender Discrimination, Gender Space and Women’s Leadership: Issues and Challenges in 21st Century (Naareevaad – 2019)

MARRIAGEAND DOWRY SYSTEM OF THE RONGMEI NAGA IN BARAK VALLEY

Mary Sana Rajkumari

Department of Manipuri ( R.T. School Indian Languages and Cultural Studies) Research Scholar, Assam University, Silchar E-mail: marysanarajkumari20@gmail.com

Source

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