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Chapter Twenty-seven. Return to Nagaland |
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Shoupa had expected a yield of over hundred baskets from this one field, but in the end a hundred and thirty-seven baskets were filled. As one basket lasts his household for two days, two similar fields could meet his domestic wants. In fact, he was likely to reap about twelve hundred baskets from his seven fields and this meant that he had an annual surplus of about eight hundred baskets. But like his father Shankok he did not sell rice but stored it and used it for ceremonial payments. Occasionally he also gave rice on loan, and the current rate of interest for such loans was 50 per cent, i.e. three baskets of rice were the usual repayment of two baskets received on loan the previous year. Rich people such as Shoupa also generously contributed to village needs and a large store of rice enables a man to play an important position not only in village affairs but also in the politics of the region. |
