An ethnographic expose of Mithun-human interrelationship among the Kuki community of Northeast India

Abstract

ABSTRACTUnrestrained consumption and a lack of a proper breeding ecosystem have depleted the variety and species count of mithun (Bos frontalis). Indigenous Kuki tribes have a unique relationship with mithun, reared in the semi-domestic countryside. For the Kuki community, a mithun is used during community festivals, as a bride price in marriages, to settle disputes, in land-deed covenants, and at death ceremonies. Mithun-human interrelationship lessens poverty, empowers community survival, guarantees the completion of critical cultural obligations, and maintains marital bonds in the Kuki community. The head of a mithun signifies solemnity and celebration in many cultural underpinnings. A white cock, a dog, a goat, a pig, and a mithun were sacrificial elements to appease the unseen spirits for good health and prosperity. While some Indigenous practices have faded with the arrival of Christianity, the cultural involvement of mithun persists to this date.KEYWORDS: Mithun-human interrelationshipKukiculturemithunbride price AcknowledgmentsThe authors acknowledge Christ University for providing access to articles through its library portals. A special thanks to Dr James Vungjangam Haokip, Assistant Professor, Sikkim University, Gangtok, India, for his input in translating Thadou-Kuki words into English.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Notes1. Gangte, “The Kukis of Manipur: A Historical Analysis”2. Hangshing, “Understanding the Politics of the Stateless Kukis: Was it by Choice?”.3. Gangte, “The Kukis of Manipur: A Historical Analysis”4. Grierson, “Linguistic Survey of India, Vol. III (Part III)”5. Lunkim, “Traditional Kuki Chieftainship: It’s Evolution with Special Reference to.Custom, Beliefs and Practices in Establishing a Village.”6. 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Chaurasia, “Mithun (Bos Frontalis): Animal with a difference”Additional informationNotes on contributorsPaul Lelen HaokipPaul Lelen Haokip is a PhD research scholar, Department of Sociology and Social Work, Christ University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. He has authored four book namely, The Groaning for Peace (2016), The Joy of Being Myself (2018), Revelanve of Thempu in Pastoral Ministry (2020), Programme Your Self (2022) and published papers in Scopus Indexed Journals. Maya MMaya M is an assistant professor at the Department of Sociology and Social Work, Christ University, Bangalore, Karnataka, India. She earned her doctorate from the University of Kerala with the dissertation entitled, “Tribal Development and Participatory Approach in Kerala: Problems and Prospects.” She is a life member of Indian Sociological Society and Kerala Sociological Society.D. Benjamin HaokipD. Benjamin Haokip is a PhD research scholar at the Department of International Development, Governance and Inclusive Development, Amsterdam Institute of Social Science Research (AISSR), University of Amsterdam, Netherlands. His academic interests lie in education, armed conflict, conflict resolution and peace advocacy.