The origin of the Khiamniungans remains uncertain but the earliest consideration that generally traces back to a place called Khiamnyunga. There are no written records of their history before the British Raj days. However, the only source of information about their ancestors are oral traditions in the form of folktales and myths.
According to a popular myth, Khiamniungan means "source of great waters" - the place from where the early ancestors of Khiamniungan are said to have originated. This place is identified near Lingnyu-Tshüvau villages, under Patsho Range, overlooking from the present-day Patsho and Noklak towns.[4]
Today, the Khiamniungans occupy the easternmost part of India and northwestern part of Myanmar. In India, they are mostly found in Noklak district of Nagaland state and the rest in Naga Self Administered Zone and Hkhamti district of Saigaing Division, Myanmar. The mighty Chindwin river flows through the land of Khiamniungans.They are linked linguistically as well as culturally to the Tibeto-Burman.[5]
During the British Raj, the Khiamniungans were referred to as "kalyo Kenyu", particularly in the works of anthropologists such as Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf. Unlike several other Naga people, the advent of Christianity had little impact on the Khiamniungan for a long time, due to their remote location. The first Khiamniungan to convert to Christianity was Khaming, in 1947.[6] Thereafter, a number of Khiamniungans converted to Christianity. After the coming of the new education system, social system, modernization and Christianity, there have been drastic changes in their social life.
Society of the ethnic group
The traditional Khiamniungan village had eight important people:[7]
Ainloom (the keeper of the a supposedly magical stone; the stone is said to warn of any impending disaster such as a fire or a raid, by moving out of its basket or by creating a sound through striking another object)
By the early 1990s, only the Petche, the Sonlang and the Ainloom remained relevant, others being remembered mainly as part of books and oral tradition.[7]
Culture
Social institution
Pou, a dormitory.Pou, a dormitory
One of the most important social institution in the past was ultimately the Pou (/pɒu³³/ⓘ), a grand building with a huge Phie(/pʰie³³/ⓘ) kept inside against the side wall which was primarily the cornerstone and a pivotal institution of the community throughout early times.[8]
Traditional attire
The traditional Khiamniungan attires consist of bright red and bright deep blue colored dresses. The ornaments are made of cowries and conch shells. The most notable ones amongst them is Nütsah(/nə³³.tsɑʔ³³/ⓘ) and Shietsapnie.[9]
The Nütsah, one of the most important traditional clothing of the Khiamniungans. In fact, it was a part of social ranking in the pastThis Shawl which is quite similar to Nütsah is locally called Shiehtsapnie. The only difference is that it has cowrie shells in the form of circular and human figure.
Traditional Instruments
The ethnic musical instruments include drums made of gourds and bamboo flutes.
Language
Most of the Khiamniungans in India are acquainted with Patsho Khiamniungan(/pɑ³³.tsʰɒ⁵⁵kʰiɑm³³.ɲu⁵⁵.ŋn⁵⁵/ⓘ) which is also one of the main languages within their geographical region.[10]
Festivals
Miu
The Khiamniungan people, who traditionally practised jhum cultivation (slash and burn agriculture), celebrate the Miu festival at the time of sowing. They offer prayers for a good harvest.[11]
Tsoukum
Tsoukum is the week-long harvest festival of the ethnic group, celebrated in October. The festival includes dancing, singing, cleaning, repair of the roads, and outdoor cooking and eating. In this festival the people invoke god's blessing for a bountiful harvest.[12]
Seisei-ie
A wordplay or pun is one of the unique cultures of the Khiamniungans since the inception of the villages. Traditionally it was played between villages in the form of competition unlike today's norm of performing for entertainment purposes.[13]
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