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The role of mithan in Naga society. |
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These [] were widely illustrate in November 1947 when I was camping at Tuensang. Early in the year, the village of Pangsha had attacked Shamnyu and taken 60 heads. Head-taking in the area is not entirely forbidden but massacres on such a scale are usually punished. In this case it was decided to levy a fine of one thousand rupees. Pangsha however explained that it would be impossible to pay this fine in cash and I accordingly agreed to accept 10 mithan in lieu of actual coins. I assumed that we should in fact be able to market the animals and that the fine would thus be realised. When I reached Tuensang, ten magnificent animals were tethered in a little grove and I [] No one in Tuensang would buy them. 'We have got more than enough' they said. No Ao would buy the male ones - 'We cannot sacrifice them. They are tainted by the fine.' Only good ones, specially brought and reared. Chingmei dancers did not want them - 'Give us money', they said. [General rule is that a mithan must to be sacrificed not have any white on its head.] |
