The Nagas

Hill Peoples of Northeast India

Project Introduction The Naga Database

manuscript notes on the Zemi Nagas by Ursula Graham Bower

caption: taboos regarding women
medium: notes
location: Magulong
production:
person: Graham Bower/ Ursula
date: 1939-1946
refnum: Betts papers, ring binder 1
acquirer:
person: Centre for South Asian Studies, Cambridge
text: Use of women's dhotis by men.
text: In Magulong, where they are worn by dance-leaders, they may not be worn by young men; older married men may wear them for "tamashas" only.
text: Seats - separate for man and woman. Man may sit on his wife's seat, but never on his sister's. The women's seats must be put away at the back of the house after use.
text: Magulong only avoid women's seats when the owner is menstruating.
text: 'Talana' - if worn without due right, culprit goes blind and bald (same with cotton). Magulong don't have the 'Talana' custom of hornbill's tail worn for first "affair".