Hmar Ethnic Cultural Sites

Hmar Ethnic Cultural Sites
Location in Pherzawl district
Coordinates (Pherzawl): 24°15′N 93°11′E
Country	India

The Hmar Ethnic Cultural Sites are a series of ethno-cultural sites of the Hmar people. These sites are located within Pherzawl district, Manipur, India.

Zâwllung

Zawllung
Ethno-Cultural Site
Zawllung Location in Manipur, India Zawllung Zawllung (India)
Coordinates: 24.13826°N 93.04043°E / 24.13826; 93.04043
Country	India
State	Manipur
District	Pherzawl District

The Zâwllung, also known as Sikpui Lung, was constructed to accommodate the drummer and chanter during the Sikpui Festival, observed by the Zopui people in 1897. The festival, primarily celebrated by the Hmars, hold significant cultural importance. Situated in the former Zopui village, nestled within the Zopui range, approximately one kilometer above the southern side of present-day Senvawn village, this structure served as a focal point for communal festivities. Founded by Chief Tuola Pulamte, the Zopui village comprised around 60 households. Oral tradition suggests that the Zâwllung (Sikpuilung) was established in 1897, with Ngurpuilal Inbuon (Bawnga pa) serving as Khuongpu Zâilâk during the Sikpui celebrations. Over time, the Zopui village amalgamated with neighboring settlements such as Hmunte, Lohawi, Pamṭhul, and Sâtṭhiek, forming a unified village known as Kâwnzâr, now identified as Senvawn. This geographical location held strategic importance for British military operations.

In 1870, during the British campaign to pacify Mizo chiefs, Senvawn served as a crucial base for the northern column, led by Woodthorpe. Additionally, Senvawn was considered by the missionary William Pettigrew as a potential site for a Christian mission station in the late 19th century. However, due to opposition from local authorities and ongoing tribal conflicts, Pettigrew's plans did not materialize. In 1910, under the leadership of Chief Kamkholun, Welsh missionary Watkin Roberts arrived in Senvawn to spread the teachings of Christianity. This event marked a significant milestone in the village's history, earning it the reputation as the "seedbed of the Gospel" among the Hmar people. The influence of Roberts' mission extended beyond Senvawn, reaching neighboring regions such as South-west Manipur, the Khuga valley, and even areas beyond national borders, such as Tamu in Myanmar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.

Sikpui Lung (Râlvêngbûk)

Sikpui Lung (Râlvêngbûk)
Ethno-Cultural Site
Sikpui Lung (Râlvêngbûk) Location in Manipur, India Sikpui Lung (Râlvêngbûk) Sikpui Lung (Râlvêngbûk) (India)
Coordinates: 24.39048°N 93.08995°E / 24.39048; 93.08995
Country	India
State	Manipur
District	Pherzawl District

This Sikpui Lung at Râlvêngbûk near Phûlpui village, Pherzawl district was erected for the 'drummer' and the 'chanter' of Sikpui song to sit when Sikpui Festival was celebrated by the Râlvêngbûk villagers during Chief Thlurolien Amo's reign in 1904. The mountain where the Sikpui Lung was constructed is situated approximately one kilometer from the present-day Phûlpui village, within Pherzawl district. Referred to as 'Khawrâwtlâng,' it formerly housed around 20 households. Archeological findings of broken pottery and trivets, crafted from solid rocks, substantiate the historical presence of Hmar ancestors in this locality from 1850 to 1860. The region's significance stems from its strategic positioning, serving as a defensive stronghold during periods of intra- and inter-tribal conflicts. Consequently, it earned the designation 'Râlvêngbûk,' translating to "guard tower" in the local Hmar vernacular.

Kûtpui Lungphun

The Kutpui Lungphun or literally translated as Kûtpui Stone Post, erected in 1904 alongside the Sikpuilung nearby, holds significance in Râlvêngbûk village, particularly during festivals like Zâwlkêu, Khuonglâwm, and Lâwmpui. These festivals were marked by the tradition of erecting stone posts to commemorate the feasts held at specific locations, making Râlvêngbûk distinctive in this practice. The Sikpufeast, unique to the Hmars in Northeast India, is celebrated in December during years of abundant harvest, known as fapâng râlinsân years. Preparations for the feast involve collecting, winnowing, and husking the previous year's yield to brew rice beer, locally known as zu. During the Sikpui Feast, families bring their share of zu to partake in communal feasting. This communal sharing, termed 'Sikpui,' likely contributes to the festival's name. Additionally, some suggest that the festival's timing during the winter months led to its name. The Sikpui Feast is distinguished not only by its communal aspect but also by the songs and dances that accompany it. Nine distinct Sikpui dances, accompanied by songs collectively known as Sikpui Hla, are performed during the festival. Of these, Sikpui Hlapui (Hla Ser) holds particular reverence, as the Sikpui dance traditionally begins with its rendition. The Sikpui Feast includes various traditional songs and dances, which contribute to its cultural heritage. Nine distinct Sikpui dances are performed, each accompanied by specific songs collectively known as Sikpui Hla. These dances include Buontlaw Hla, Hranthli Hla, Lamtluong Hla, Saia Ketet lam Hla, Simsak Hla, Tangkâwngvâilâk Hla, Inran Hla, Ṭînna Hla, and Hla Vuina (Hla Phumna). Among these, Sikpui Hlapui (Hla Ser) holds particular significance, often marking the initiation of the Sikpui dance.

Chawnlût Lungphun

Chawnlût Lungphun
Ethno-Cultural Site
Chawnlût Lungphun Location in Manipur, India Chawnlût Lungphun Chawnlût Lungphun (India)
Coordinates: 24.13800°N 93.03846°E / 24.13800; 93.03846
Country	India
State	Manipur
District	Pherzawl District

This monument was erected to commemorate the achievements of Chawnlût Lungṭâu, who was recognized as a Thangsuo. The 'Thangsuo' title was bestowed upon individuals who demonstrated 'exceptional' hunting skills or performed ceremonial rituals to benefit their community. According to Hmar tradition, Thangsuo were believed to have direct entry into 'paradise.' Chawnlût Lungṭâu, son of Thangzangûr from Zopui village, was known as a skilled hunter and warrior, earning the 'prestigious' title by hunting a 'significant' number of wild animals and hosting public feasts. Possessing this title was considered 'a pathway to paradise' in Hmar pre-Christian beliefs. Chawnlût had multiple wives and children, including slaves. The memorial stone was erected to honor Chawnlût's accomplishments as a Thangsuo. It stood at a height of approximately 107 inches, with dimensions of 17 inches thickness and 9 and a half inches breadth. The stone served as a testament to Chawnlût's wealth, displaying his possessions such as four guns, one large gong, and three small gongs. Images on the monument depicted Chawnlût's hunting exploits, including the killing of three elephants and two wild mithuns. One of the mithun's horns remains preserved at the home of his great-great-grandson in Muolvaiphei, Tuiṭhaphâi. Additionally, Chawnlût was credited with taking six enemy heads and capturing a young girl who later became a member of his family. Due to the illiteracy of the Hmars in Zopui village at the time, Chawnlût's name was engraved on the monument by a hired individual from Mizoram, who received a small gong as payment for his services.

Lungsum

Lungsum
Ethno-Cultural Site
Lungsum Location in Manipur, India Lungsum Lungsum (India)
Coordinates: 24.13845°N 93.04036°E / 24.13845; 93.04036
Country	India
State	Manipur
District	Pherzawl District

This Lungsum (stone-mortar), located in the old Zopui village, was carved from solid rock and traditionally used for husking rice during the Sikpui Festival. Typically, Hmar families couldn't afford such a mortar, leading to the belief that this particular one was crafted specifically for the festival. In ancient times, when the Hmar ancestors began agricultural practices, they commonly used wooden mortars. It's believed that the people of Zopui village created a cavity in a solid flat rock for husking rice during the Sikpui Festival in 1897. This was a labor-intensive process, requiring iron tools and considerable effort to carve into solid rock. It's possible that this type of stone mortar was used for communal purposes like inchawng and Sikpui feasts. During such events, young men and women would come together to perform tasks collectively, including rice husking, as a significant quantity of rice was needed for brewing zu, a traditional alcoholic beverage. Historically, every Hmar family had its own wooden mortar, which they carried with them during their migrations.

Vawmpalung

Vawmpalung
Ethno-Cultural Site
Vawmpalung Location in Manipur, India Vawmpalung Vawmpalung (India)
Coordinates: 24.20351°N 93.08137°E / 24.20351; 93.08137
Country	India
State	Manipur
District	Pherzawl District

Lal Dena narrates it this way:

This rocky cliff, known as Vawmpalung, holds a tale of two lovers, Vawmpa and Vawmnu, who sought refuge there to share their moments of happiness away from their villages. Tragically, they fell from the cliff and perished together, 'bound forever' even in death. The story begins with a young man named Zakap, residing in Rbudâpzawl village, and a beautiful woman named Zosiel from nearby Lohawi village. Despite Zakap's dark complexion, he was affectionately called Vawmpa. Zakap and Zosiel were deeply in love, but their relationship became the subject of village gossip, causing distress to Zosiel's family and jealousy among the young men of Lohawi. Despite warnings and violence from the villagers, Zakap continued to visit Zosiel, further fueling her affection for him. In desperation, Zakap and Zosiel decided to flee and seek refuge at the high cliff now known as Vawmpalung. Here, they enjoyed moments of intimacy, sometimes sitting atop the flat stone under the moonlight. The cliff's unique features, including two protruding flat rocks and a deep chasm between them, became the backdrop of their shared experiences. Legends speak of their jumping competitions and a flat rock resembling a bed where they spent nights together. A hole in the cliff once held Zakap's gun. Despite their attempts to remain hidden, their love couldn't endure separation. Tragically, they chose to end their lives by jumping from the protruding flat rock, forever uniting in death. Today, Vawmpalung stands as a 'testament' to their 'enduring' love, much like the Taj Mahal of Agra.

Lungthu Lien Pathum

These extraordinarily big trivets were erected by Hmar forefathers on the outskirts of the present Lungthulien village at around 1852. At the beginning, Hmar's forefathers first settled at Khurpui village and later on shifted to the present Lungthulien village which came to be named after these big trivets.

Sârtuinêk and Hringtuinêk

Sârtuinêk

This is the pond of the spirit who died of unnatural death. Hmars in pre-Christian era believed that all the spirits of those who died unnatural death passed through this pond and drank the water in it. Therefore, the village nearby is still called Sârtuinêk village.

Hringtuinêk

This is the pond of the spirit who died of natural death. Hmars in pre-Christian era believed that all the spirits of those who died of natural death passed through this pond and drank the water in it. Therefore, the pond is called Hringtuinêk.

Pastor Thangngur Ṭawngṭâina Pûk

Pastor Thangngur's Prayer Cave.

Born in 1891, Thangngur became one of the first converts among the Hmar tribe in 1910 and was employed as a teacher-evangelist in 1919. He was ordained as Pastor in 1939 and elected as Field Superintendent of Independent Church in 1943. He died on December 20, 1943.

Bibliography

Vernacular Sources

• Darneilal Kholum, Senvawn Chanchin, 1896–2006, Churachandpur, 2010.
• Chawngsangvung Pangote, Senvawn Chanchin.
• Darthangluoi Faihriem, Sikpui Ruoi (Winter Festival the Hmars), Diphu, 2002.
• Hranglien Songate, Hmar Chanchin. 1977.
• Hmar Ṭobul Nun
• John H.Pulamte, Thangngur Chanchin.
• Phulpui Gospel Centenary, 2020.
• Thangsawihmang's (unpublished MSS); Some places of Historical importance in Pherzawl District, Pherzawl.
• H. V. Vara, Hmar Hla Hlui (The Hmar Folk Dinga, Lyrics and Chants), Churachandpur, 1967.
• Lallungawi & V. K. Pangamte, Edited, Hnam Ro-2, Hmar Writers' Club, Churachandpur, 2023.
• L.Keivom & David Buhril, Biethu: Selected Writings of Keivom & Buhril, Sinlung Academy of Letters, 2020.
• Lienzathang, Parbung Chanchin.
• Pastor Chawilien, Lalkhawlien Pulamte & L. Kiemlo Pulamte, Leiri-Changsan Pahnam Chanchin, Churachandpur, 2020.

Ethnographical Interviews

• Field reports of RWUS Staff members.
• Lienzuol Shunate's oral information.
• Oral Sources Collected through some selected Village Authority members of Lungthulien, Parbung & Senvawn.
• Personal Interview with Thangsawihmang Sawngte (87), Muolhlum, Rengkai.
• Personal Interview with Kama (93), Bethel, Churachandpur.