Glimpses of Zomi animism in retrospect 9780300035193, 0300035195, 9780300042795, 0300042795

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE THE ZOMIS AND THEIR TRADITIONAL BELIEFS IN GOD... 1 A. The nomenclature of Zomi...................................................... 1 B. Traditional beliefs In God ........................................................ 3 I. The concept of Theos in Zomi Animism..............................3 II. Polytheism of Zomi Animism................................. 4 III. Etymological aspect of Zomi Animism and personalities of Pasian................................ 5

CHAPTER TWO SOME TRADIHNAL BELIEFS, RITUALS AND PRACTICES IN ZOMI ANIMISM.»..._____ .....7 A. Kha or Soul............................................................................. .7 I. The Deity of Kha..................................................................... 7 II. The Ancestor’s Kha................................................. 9 III. Kha or Sakhal of the animal ............................................. 10 B. Gau ................................................................................... 12 I. Practical Implication of Gau.................................. 12 II. The Gau of the snake ............................................. 13 C. Rituals . ........................... 16 I. Aitui pia................................................................... 16 II. Aitui dawn............................................................... 18 III. Aktui san (Chicken’s egg consultation).................18 IV. Aidawi thawih (Spirit propitiation by the crab) ...20 V. Ak-khe-san (Cock’s leg portent).......................... 20 VI. Muibiak (Propitiation of the nats of the field)......21 Vli. SungpiThoih ........................................................... 23 VIII. Tuai Bawl .................................................................. 25 XI. Ceremonial rites of “Pusa” or “Tong” .................. 27 a. The privilege of an individual .......................... 31 b. The way "Tong” is performed in Matupi ....... 33 c. The “Tong” performance in Cambodia........... 34

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D. Superstitions I. Amulets In ZomI animism II. A Zomi mythology III. Benefactors of the animists a. Phelsam slam b. Uiphuk slam

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CHAPTER THREE ANALOGY OF ZOMI ANIMISM WITH THAT OF CAMBODIAN HILL'TRIBES

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A. Kayok (Pusa) Spirits of ancestors 44 B. Arak Bri (Daw! namkim) Elements of diversity of spirits ..45 C. Arak (Dawlsa, SiampI, TulpI) Spirit medium D. Arak Brou (Dawl thawih) Propitiation ................................ 48 E. Sen (Phulsam, Paal, Khalak) . F. &u (Dawl ^tawi, Mibum)Socerer 49 G. Arak Moot Lye (Kamsang) Prophet,Proph^teys -...SI H. The similitude of Arak Moot Lye In Zomi animism 52

CHAPTER FOUR THE PAU CIN HAU CULT____ A. Brief history of Pau On Hau B. The Pau Cln Hau Script C. The Pau Cln Hau cult's Impact on the Zomi animism

CHAPTER FIVE FEASTS AND FESTIVALS IN ZOMI ANIMISM

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A. The custom of naming Children 64 I. As a ritual and feast 78 il. Its similitude to that of the Israelites 81 B. Lawm Annek (Kinsfolk reunion festival) 82 C. Khuado (Harvest festival) ....................... 86

CHAPTER SIX LIVING CONDITIONS OF THE ZOMIS IN ANIMISTIC CULTURE- ------- .92 A. Village B. Water sources C. Houses D. Hygiene ..................................................... I. Domestic II. Personal E. Cookery and Diet ............... F. Ordinary Meal G. Dietary proscription H. Tobacco I. Nicotine water (Tuibuk) lOQ J. The advantage of sipping tuibuk over smoking cigarette 101 K. Some ZomI songs in praise of tuibuk (Nicotine water) ...102 L. The lifestyle of the Zomis In animism 106

CHAPTER SEVEN MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF TEDIM TRIBE OF ZOMI

A. Designation of status in household affairs B. Courtship and marriage C. Oblation of millet wine to the Pu (Pu zukholh) Appendbc Method of pig dissection in ceremonial rites

Conclusion

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109 11 123

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FOREWORD We, the Zomis, were once a people of two opposite traits. On one hand, we were one of the most primitive peoples in the world, even classified as a headhunting tribe. Being animists, we were void of an established religion up until a century ago when the American Baptist Missionaries came and planted the seed of Christianity in our land. We had also lived without a piece of literature for centuries until the aforementioned missionaries Invented a written language for us. Prior to that, every single knowledge had been passed down from one generation to the next only by word of mouth. All told, it can properly be said that our civilization Is only a century old. On the other hand, we were and are a people of rich customs and culture which are systematic and well-organized, no match for any other culture in the whole world except that of the Israelites, God’s chosen people, as the author has noted In this book. Unfortunately, many of our treasured customs have been forgotten and lost through the years. And this Is due to a number of reasons. First, It was just impossible for the foregone generations to retain the minutiae of our customs and practices just frcMn memory. Second, the introduction of Christianity, in some cases, unnecessarily did away with many Invaluable customs which should have only been modified or upgraded. Third, the modernization of our way of living has also effected our culture. The younger generation of the Zomis today have the idea that our culture is primitive and degrading. They therefore have no desire to get acquainted with it, let alone practice it or

vi preserve It. Fourth, very few older people who possess a good knowledge of our culture have enough Interest and ability to preserve our rich culture so as to put It In written records.

At any rate, Dr. Thomas Sian Za Kham has now produced an excellent book on our Tedim Zomi culture for which we are thankful. With his vast knowledge on the Zoml culture and diverse experiences with other cultures, Dr. Thomas might well be one of a very few living Individuals among our people who Is qualified to write such a book as this. Even though the book Is named “Qlmpses of Zoml Animism In Retrospect," dealt with In here Is not just our olden animism, but also our culture and custom then and now. I therefore believe this book Is destined to become and remain a classic on the Zomi customs and culture for many years to come. lam glad to recommend this book. I also would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Thomas for making every endeavor to write this book which will no doubt play a vital role in preserving our cherished culture for future generations of the Zomls. Dr. Do Suan Mung Yangon

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost I would like to briefly state the reason why I wrote this dissertation. If I had to be still In my old denomination 1 would never be able to attend any Bible College anywhere in the world. As a matter of fact, I was absolutely ignorant of the Holy Scriptures, as the laymen have to be out of touch with the Bible to avoid misinterpretation. To narrate about my childhood days, 1 was brought up in a family of animism at Tonzang village before World War Two. My parents were animists and so were all their children. I can still vividly recall my experiences especially how 1 played as an errand'boy, assisting my father in his performances of the propitiations of the spirits. Next to animism the family’s religion being the Pau On Hau cult, which wcis currently in vogue. I saw Pau Cin Hau in person emd held him in high esteem. He came to Tonzang to eradicate the evil spirits of many villagers who later on became his followers. With him were his prophet and the so-called police force armed with some makeshift swords of bamboo. The maneuver and the impact of it on Zomi animism is discussed in this thesis. In the trail of this cult' was the debut of the Catholic Mission. As for me. 1 joined the denomination and remained there for 46 years prior to my conversion to EBC in the year 2000. Then 1 was baptized by Rev. Thang Khawm Pau in front of Tedim church in a baptistery. My ignorance of the Gospel incited me attending FBBC S for two years. Providentially, the president

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Dr. Do Suan Mung himself and his Faculty members happened to be my teachers during the whole course. Being well versed in both religious and secular affairs they conducted the lectures efficiently imparting their precious wisdom and knowledge for which i remain ever grateful. All successful candidates were invited to attend the Seventh Biennial Commencement Exercises of FBBC S, Tedim, held on February 8, 2003 in Strand Hotel, Yangon. There, Dr. Wendell W. Kempton, conferred me MA (Theo) certificate along with my colleagues. 1 thank God for enlightening me to appreciate the Holy Scripture and showing me to follow the right path to the Heavenly Kingdom. I am deeply indebted to Dr. Do Suan Mung for his excellent foreword of my book and for his painstaking work to materialize a format out of my manuscript. His God-given talent in the command of English and the art of writing as well, greatly deserves most worthy of appreciation. I am immensely grateful for his recommendation and the publication of this book. Dr.Go Za Kham. Director of Missions of EBC, my childhood friend, extended his helping hand toward the publication of this book. Through his friendly advice Manners and Customs of Tedim tribe of Zomi came to be included in chapter Seven of this book. Thank you very much my dear friend, Dr.Kham. My highly esteem Pastor Rev. Thang Khawm Pau who baptized me on April 2, 2000 in Tedim EBC baptistery has been one of my most reliable advisors in the process of publishing of this book. I exceedingly appreciate his most reliable suggestions regarding the publication of my book. Thank you Saya Khawm Pau.

My publisher Rev. Gin Khen Mang, a veiy faithful backer and supporter, used his valuable time to scrutinize the manuscript and offered many helpful suggestions. Thank you Saya Khenpl.

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INTRODUCTION

Within the scope of this dissertation some information about the manners and cusoms regarding the living conditions, superstitions, beliefs and feasts of the hill tribes known as Zomi has been generally dealt with. This was the state of affairs prior to the dawn of Christianity in that particular hilly-tract which is now known as the Chin State of the Union of Myanmar. The concept of ‘Theo* in Zomi Animism is also depicted with respect the etymology, personality of Pasian (God), polytheism, attribute of Zomi polytheism and the comparison between Zomi Theos with that of Laiplan and the Cambodian Hill tribes. The hill-tribes known 'Zomi* can be characterized by their animlst religion associated with belief system their shifting agricultural techniques to cultivate t'pland millet and other crops. According to their, beliefs, spirits or nats inhibit the surrounding environment: the forest, earth, water sources, hills and fields; even the village itself, ail have their own spirits. These spirits are believed to have the power of influencing people's lives to the quality and quantity of the harvest to the health and well being of the villagers. At particular stages of the agricultural Q