vi

LIST OF PICTURE

1. H. Thambaljao (village chief), Y. Tomalsing (assist-chief) and Th. Jatra singh

(host of the festival) of Lamlanghupi

2. Structure of Chothe Village Council Court’s (Hu-bunkung)

3. Village priest on its way to the deities’ site for benediction ritual

4. Village priest performing Konjai divination (Th. Nabadip)

5. Pu Lungchungpa (Pakhangpa) sacred grove/deities’ site, Lamlanghupi

Bishnupur

6. The symbolic position of three political houses i.e. Urinta, Tangngarinta and

Nungak-luthei bungkungs at the sacred grove site represented by a trees and

stones

7. The iron plate of a decree given by King Chingthang khompa (18th century)

8. The cover page of Chothe Thangmei Pakhangpa (CTP) the sacred manuscript in

ancient Meitei script (mayek)

9. The cover page of Chothe Thangmei/Thangwai Pakhangpa (CTP) the abridge

sacred manuscript in Bengali scripts

10. The CTP sacred manuscript in ancient Meitei mayek or script

11. The CTP manuscript in Bengali script

12. The box containing sacred relics

13. King’s ear rings, iron plate, iron rods, forceps (2)

14. Sacred archaic materials (King’s betel nut forceps, gong, CTP original

manuscript,

jars, knives, swords, rods, etc.

15. The village two stones (Thanghung Lungthong), (Huchong)

16. Talisman stones (Asha alung of Roushi)

17. Manipuri queen’s ear-rings (Maharani Leima sana leilum)

18. Yangngeir and Lungthun maythanu necklaces related to the folktale

19. Chothe traditional child’s naming ceremony (priest M. Pouhonglung)

20. Priest performing rite at the north bambu deity

21. Tuituk rin people washing their face and feet of Innampei festival

22. Fho parakpa (Merachou in traditional shield dance)

23. Preparing indigenous bread (butoi) for Achui festive (Th. Khamte)

24. Youths (Y. Ranjit and H. Roshan) collecting indigenous bread (butoi)

25. Village chief (Thambaljos) performing Tongkaipa with tongthi (wine pipe)

26. Village priest (Merachao) performing ritual for bambu deity.

27. Three youths performing the thoukeipa ceremony to the village Chief and elders

28. Sikan ongpa ceremony

29. Drum sound inspection (Hung –matheipa) ceremony

30. Lamlanghupi girls in traditional attires

31. Children in traditional attire (Innampei rin 2006)

32. Appeasement rite for directions deity

33. Pheiroi khapa (M. Kundo)

vii

34. Ginger divination before the ritual

35. Sacrificial act of a dog, Lamleh thoipa

36. Dog's spleen divination of Lamleh thoipa ritual

37. Lamleh thoipa (hanging of dog’s head upwards)

38. Village elders returning after Lamleh thoipa

39. Think bompa-tepa ceremony

40. Tuituk lethoi (Tomalsing and Kundo)

41. Anam kokna ritual

42. Indigenous liquor (leizu) and rice beer (zutin) in the pot

43. Muithoi ritual (Y. Leingam of Leininghu)

44. Roushi performing Tuithoipa ritual

45. Tuithoipa offering (Roushi and Pouti)

46. Traditional funeral ceremony (H. Khumanthoipi 12-12-2006)

47. Christian funeral ceremony (Mk. Peter Ziontlang 6-5-2007)

48. Corpse inside traditional stretcher

49. Traditional grave (coffin for corpse)

50. Athi lethoi (dead ritual at the grave)

51. Ritual items for the dead

52. Yuhlung-pu monolith (theil,) (Th. Jaibunhoi)

53. Mareem-pu Monolith (theil)

54. M. Wailum and K. Khetrichou of Khongkhang

55. Leikhamchao and wife Tharaklei

56. Ajouhu village elders

57. New-Wangparal village elders

58. Lungshun alung (The cutting of stone)

59. The site of bachelor house (ruishang) of Tampakhu

60. Ancient village court (Sikang lambai) of peepal tree (a-bung) New-Wangparal

61. Abandon peepal tree or anceint village court of Old-Wangparal

62. Y. Hongpa of Lamlanghupi

63. Mk. Neilut and wife Y. Lungnem

64. Men singing with their drums Achui rin

65. Women audiences Achui rin

66. Lamlanghupi youth in Chamtun dance during Achui rin festival 2007

67. Young girls serving termeric juice

68. Women/girls singing Tamparai laa

69. M.Shangkurei and Th.Chongnu preparing husk rice beer (sawai zu)

70. Indigenousmethod of brewing and distilling alcohol/liquor (leizu)

71. Youth preparing cow meat

72. Chothe men cooking meat for feast

73. Leininghu Christian women’s organisation 2006

74. Khongkhang Christian women’s organisation 2006

75. Leininghu girls in traditional attires 2006

76. Chumbang youth (Machong and Philo)

77. Khongkhang youths 2006

viii

78. Ajouhu women

79. The south-eastern view of the ridge of abandon Ajouhu (Purum Khullen) village

visited by T.C. Das in 1933-35 of Fig.16, (1945:p.77)

80. The panaronic view of Loktak Lake and the western hills from the eastern hill of

abandon Ajouhu (Purum Khullen)

81. The replica picture of abandon Ajouhu village visited by T.C. Das in 1933-35 of

see Fig.16, (1945:p.77)

82. Author with elders at the abandon Ajouhu deity site (Pu Lungchungpa)

83. Pr. Vincent and Pr. Wailum, Herachao of Purum Tampak

84. Prokila weaving in traditional loom

85. Indigenous spinning machine (Mui)

86. Bamboo shoot (antui) fermention

87. Author with respondeds, making winnows (barei)

88. Traditional bride price (Manshipa) ceremony of Khongkhang

89. Chamtun (hilt sword)

90. Bow and arrows (Phei) with the chest dance sword)

91. Collection of old coins

92. Lekhai,barei (winnow), Shangphai, leithang rice baskets and buhu big winnow

below (clock wise)

93. Shei and shangkai, fishing-net and cloth basket (clock wise)

94. Traditional musical instruments (Hung, shum,siki, shumte, ruishem and

muishem).

95. King’s shawl (Rengpun) and scarf

96. Chothe men’s shawls (apai-pun)

97. Men’s headgear (Luje)

98. Chothe traditional dresses or sarong (nik) for women

99. Chothe modern attires for women.

100. Ritual flower plants (A) Renglei (Langtharei in Meitei), (B) Leisan,

(C) Keke lei, (D) Korou, (E) Kuchu-leiham leave and (F) Idou (ginger species)

101. Herbal medicinal plants (a) Anphui, (b) Thalictrum Foliosum (d) Aring (shampan

lei in meitei), (f) Bakton fruit

102. Vishnu temple, Bishnupur

103. Kangla fort gate, Imphal, Manipur

**************************

- 1 -

Pic. 1 H. Thambaljao (village chief), Y. Tomalsing (assist-chief) and Th. Jatra singh

(host of the festival) of Lamlanghupi

Pic. 2 Structure of Chothe Village Council Court’s (Hu-bunkung)

Pic. 3 Village priest on its way to the Pic.4 Village priest performing Konjai

deities’ site for benediction ritual. divination (Th. Nabadip)

- 2 -

Pic. 5 Pu Lungchungpa (Pakhangpa) sacred grove/deities’ site, Lamlanghupi Bishnupur

Pic.6 The symbolic position of three political houses i.e. Urinta, Tangngarinta and Nungak-

luthei bungkungs at the sacred grove site represented by a trees and stones

Pic. 7 The iron plate of a decree given by King Chingthang khompa (18

th century)

- 3 -

Pic. 8 The cover page of Chothe Thangmei Pakhangpa (CTP) the sacred manuscript in

ancient Meitei script (mayek)

Pic.9 The cover page of Chothe Thangmei/Thangwai Pakhangpa (CTP) the abridge sacred

manuscript in Bengali script

Pic.10 The CTP sacred manuscript in Pic.11 The CTP manuscript in Bengali script

ancient Meitei mayek

- 4 -

Pic.12 The box containing sacred relics Pic.13 King’s ear rings, iron plate, iron

rods, forceps (2)

Pic.14 Sacred archaic materials (King’s bettle nut forceps, gong, CTP original manuscript,

jars, knives, swords, rods, etc.

Pic.15 The village two stones Pic.16 Talisman stones (Asha alung of Roushi)

(Thanghung Lungthong), (Huchong)

- 5 -

Pic.17 Manipuri queen’s ear-rings Pic.18 Yangngeir and Lungthun maythanu

(Maharani Leima sana leilum) necklaces related to the folktale

Pic.19 Chothe child’s naming ceremony Pic. 20 Priest performing rite at the north

(priest M. Pouhonglung) Bambu deity

Pic.21 Tuituk rin people washing their face and Pic.22 Fho parakpa (Merachou in

feet of Innampei festival traditional shield dance)

- 6 -

Pic.23 Preparing indigenous bread (butoi) Pic.24 Youths (Y. Ranjit and H. Roshan)

for Achui festive (Th. Khamte) collecting indigenous bread (butoi)

Pic.25 Village chief (Thambaljos) performing Pic. 26 Village priest (Merachao) performing

Tongkaipa with tongthi (wine pipe) ritual for bambu deity (chapan thapa).

Pic.27 Three youths performing the thoukeipa ceremony to the village chief and elders

- 7 -

Pic.28 Sikan ongpa ceremony Pic.29 Inspection of drum sound (Hung -

metheipa) ceremony

Pic.30 Lamlanghupi girls in traditional attires Pic. 31 Children in traditional attire (2006)

(Innampei rin 2006)

Pic. 32 Appeasement rite for directions deity Pic.33 Pheiroi khapa (M. Kundo)

Pic.34 Ginger divination before the ritual Pic.35 Sacrificial act of a dog, Lamleh thoipa

- 8 -

Pic.36 Dog's spleen divination of Lamleh thoipa ritual Pic.37 Lamleh thoipa (hanging

of dog’s head upwards)

Pic.38 Village elders returning after Lamleh thoipa Pic.39 Think bompa-tepa ceremony

Pic. 40 Tuituk lethoi (Tomalsing and Kundo) Pic. 41 Anam kokna ritual

Pic. 42 Indigenous liquors (leizu) and Pic. 43 Muithoi ritual (Y. Leingam of Leininghu)

rice beer (zutin) in the pot

- 9 -

Pic.44 Roushi performing Tuithoipa ritual Pic.45 Tuithoipa offering (Roushi and Pouti)

Pic.46 Traditional funeral ceremony Pic.47 Christian funeral ceremony

(H. Khumanthoipi 12-12-2006) (Mk. Peter Ziontlang 6-5-2007)

Pic.48 Corpse put inside traditional stretcher Pic.49 Traditional grave design (coffin ready

for corpse)

- 10 -

Pic.50 Athi lethoi (dead ritual at the grave) Pic.51 Ritual items for the dead

Pic.52 Yuhlung-pu monolith (theilhong) Pic.53 Mareem-pu Monolith (theil)

Pic.54 M. Wailum and K. Khetrichou of Pic.55 Leikhamchao and wife Tharaklei

Khongkhang

Pic. 56 Ajouhu village elders Pic. 57 New-Wangparal village elders

- 11 -

Pic.58 Lungshun alung (The cutting of stone) Pic.59 The site of bachelor house

(ruishang) of Tampakhu

Pic.60 Ancient village court (Sikang lambai) Pic.61 Abandon peepal tree or anceint

of peepal tree (a-bung) New-Wangparal village court of Old-Wangparal

Pic. 62 Y. Hongpa of Lamlanghupi Pic.63 Mk. Neilut and wife Y. Lungnem

- 12 -

Pic.64 Men singing with their drums in Achui rin Pic.65 Women audiences Achui rin

Pic.66 Lamlanghupi youths dancing (Chamtun lam) during Achui rin festival 2007

Pic.67 Young girls serving termeric juice Pic.68 Women/girls singing Tamparai laa

Pic.69 M.Shangkurei and Th.Chongnu Pic.70 Indigenous method of brewing and

preparing husk rice beer (sawai zu) distilling liquor/ alcohol (leizu)

- 13 -

Pic.71 Youth preparing cow for meat. Pic.72 Chothe men cooking meat for feast

Pic. 73 Leininghu Christian women’s organisation 2006

Pic. 74 Khongkhang Christian women’s organisation 2006

- 14 -

Pic.75 Leininghu girls in traditional attires 2006 Pic.76 Chumbang youth

(Machong and Philo)

Pic.77 Khongkhang youths 2006 Pic.78 Ajouhu women

Pic. 79 The south-eastern view of the ridge of abandon Ajouhu (Purum Khullen) village

visited by T.C. Das in 1933-35 see Fig.16, (1945: p.77)

- 15 -

Pic.80 The panaronic view of Loktak Lake and the western hills from the eastern hill of

abandon Ajouhu (Purum Khullen)

Pic.81 The replica picture of abandon Pic.82 Author with elders at the abandon

Ajouhu village visited by T.C. Das in Ajouhu deity site (Pu Lungchungpa)

1933-35 of Fig.16, (1945:p.77)

Pic.83 Pr. Vincent, Pr. Wailum and Herachao Pic.84 Prokila weaving in traditional loom

Pic.85 Indigenous spinning machine (Mui) Pic.86 Bamboo shoot (antui) fermenting

- 16 -

Pic.87 Author with respondents who are Pic.88 Traditional bride price (Manshipa)

making winnows (barei) ceremony of Khongkhang

Pic.89 Chamtun (hilt swords) Pic.90 Bow and arrows (Phei) with the chest

Pic.91 Collection of old coins

Pic.92 Lekhai,barei (winnow), Shangphai, leithang rice Pic.93 Shei and shangkai, fishing

baskets and buhu big winnow below (clock wise) -net and cloth basket (clock wise)

- 17 -

Pic.94 Traditional musical instruments Pic.95 King’s shawl (Rengpun) and scarf

(Hung, shum,siki, shumte, ruishem

and muishem).

Pic.96 Chothe men’s shawls (apai-pun)

- 18 -

Pic.97 Men’s headgear (Luje)

Pic.98 Chothe traditional dresses or sarong (nik) for women

Pic.99 Chothe modern attires for women

- 19 -

Pic.100 Ritual flower plants (A) Renglei (Langtharei in Meitei), (B) Leisan,

(C) Keke lei, (D) Korou, (E) Kuchu-leiham leave and (F) Idou (ginger species)

Pic.101 Herbal medicinal plants (a) Anphui, (b) Thalictrum Foliosum (d) Aring (shampan lei

in meitei), (f) Bakton seed

Pic.102 Vishnu temple, Bishnupur Pic.103 Kangla fort gate, Imphal, Manipur