The Thadous
- Part 2 -

By:- Paominlien Kipgen *

GRIERSON'S THADOU; 1904:

Genealogical tree of the Thadou as constructed by McCulloch in 1857 having been proved as the correct version was by Dr. Grierson, C.A, K.C.I.E, Ph.D, D. Litt., LL.D, ICS (Rtd.), in his book on "Linguistic Survey of India" (Vol.III: Tibetan –Burman family, Part III: p. 351, 361 & 383) in 1904 after Fifty seven years of publication of McCulloch's work.

Grierson is an eminent scholar and renown authority on language in both the academic and administrative worlds. He contended to say that
"... It has become customary to use the term New Kuki to denote the Thados and their off-shoots..., that Thado is the name of their original progenitor.... That in Manipur they are called Khongzais and that they used this name themselves in conversation with Manipuris. Whom they called Mei-Lei (Meilhei)"
and maintained that based on the findings of McCulloch, many other
"...sub-tribes trace their origin back to Thado and his brothers...",
and concluded to say that
"...the Principal clans are the Shithlo (Sitlhou), Shingsol (Singson), Chongloi, Hangseen (Hangshing), Keepgen (Kipgen) and Haukip (Haokip), from which have sprung several sub-clans of smaller importance...".

A). Thado-pao: Grieson, as expert and authority on Language, included Thadou in the Tibeto-Burman Group of Linguistic Family (1904: p383: Linguistic Survey of India, Vol.III, Tibeto-Burman Family P: Part.III) saying that
"All these tribes, with the exception of Baite, speak the same language, and the dialectical differences are on slight. The language itself is according to Stewart, Lieut. R,(1857: A slight Notice of the Grammar of Thado, published in the Journal of Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol. XXIV: 187-88) and Damant, G.H.(Notes on Manipuri Grammar and North Cachar Hills, published in the Journal of Asiatic Society of Bengal Vol.XXIV: 173 ) called Thadou-pao, Thado language".

Likewise, Hudson,T.C., in his book on Thado Grammar, Shillong (1906; pl7) and Soppitt, C.A. in his book on Grammar of the Rangkhol Language (1887 : p37), Shillong, expressed that the language spoken by descendants and their cognates of Thadou is called Thado-pao. After a lapse of a good many years, Shakespeare, J.,Lt. Col. (1912:pl 78-79 Lushai Kuki clans ) said that
"..... it is spoken by all the descendants of Thadou and by the non-Thadou clans absorbed in them"
and that 'Thadou–Pao' is the 'Lingua-franca' among themselves.

In this regard, it may be relevant if letter No.KPM/37/198 dated the 11th.January, 1919 from Mr.J.C. Higgins, Political Agent, Manipur, addressed to Dy. Inspector General of Military police, Anglo-kuki war, 1917-19, in connection with the language to be used officially most understandable by the people in the areas between the Somra and Thongdut State of Burma, is brought to our attention.

Higgins said,
"Thadou Kuki is the language of the kuki tribes in general, and is intelligible to all the kukis in the Somra areas and Thongdut State. I only know of one text book, a Thado Grammar, with Thadou-English and English–Thado vocabularies attached, by Mr.T.C.,Hudson. This is obtainable at the Assam Secretariat and at Thacker Spink's priced re.1/-. It is in Roman character".

He further opined that "The learning of the Tangkhul dialect spoken in the Somra will present very considerable difficulty, as it is an entirely unknown language..... The dialects through out the Tangkhul country vary to a surprising extent even from village to village. The Tangkhul dialects are not on the list of languages for which a reward is offered by the Assam Government, as no officer has ever learnt them. They are quite distinct from both Manipuri and Thadou.

"Manipuri and Thadou contain certain roots in common, but are quite distinct languages and knowledge of one does not enable a person to make himself understood by persons speaking the other. The Assam Government grants a separate reward to officers passing in both. But Thadou kuki is closely allied to Lushai and a reward cannot be obtained in both these languages, it is also allied to the Northern Chin dialects"

B). Thadou Population: Grierson also founded that the Thadou Population was fairly large enough that tempted him to say "...the Thadou clan is a very large one" and accounted their number as follows (1904):
1. In Manipur    20,000
2. In Naga Hills    5,500
3. In Cachar Plain    5,400
4. In Sylhet    534
Total =     31,434

The above estimate omits the members of the clans in North-Cachar Hills and in the unadministered tract between the Naga Hills and Manipur on the west and the Upper Chindwin district of Burma in the east.

The whole clan traces its genealogy to mythical hero who is believed to have dwelt below the surface of the earth and emerged there from to the surface of the earth through a cave known 'Khul', or 'Khur', equivalence of which among the Lushais and those living in the Lushai Hills (now called Mizoram) was called 'Chhinlung'.

Thadou - A doll represention as an Exhibit at Mutua Museum, Andro

Conclusion:

There emerges from the preceding paragraphs clearly that-
1. The term Thadou is the name of eponymous ancestor of descendents of thadou who claimed to be descended from legendary progenitor called Chongthu;

2. The controversies that almost wrecked the foundation of relationship between cousins among Thadous stemmed from strict enforcement of stringent principle of social structure based on respect and annual tribute paid to the senior lineal descent belonging to a single genealogical tree which must on no account be blemished resulting from questions such as non-issue of male child known as Ingam, continuity of Generation of male line must perpetuate through procrastination by solemn marriage in conformity with customary law which does not recognize illegitimate off-spring out of extra-marital relationship, adoption, incestuous relationship within exogamous groups of people, etc., etc.;

3. Thadous spread all over the hills surrounding the Valley of Manipur as could be evidenced from the writings of Makenze, A., in 1779, the renowned scholar and bureaucrat and as also by Sir Nicholar BEatson Bell, the former Chief Commisioner of Assam, said that the Anglo-Kuki War, 1917-19 was confined entirely to the Thadous...."

4. Combining together all the findings of authorities on the Thadous beginning from McCulloch in 1857 down to Sir Nicholas Beatson Bell in 1945, the following categories of people are found to be Thadou. They are;
a). Descendents of Shingmeng, the son of Thangpi, begetting Titou, Touhin, and Touthang, in the direct male descents from legendary ancestor, Chongthu, consisting of broadly
(1) Doungel (including lhotjim, Gwite, thuomlhun and Haolai), whom Hutton had declared as Head of the Thadous,
(2) Sitlhou,
(3) Singson,
(4) Kipgen,
(5) Haokip,
(6) Chongloi,
(7) Hangsing, and
(8) Touthang (Lhamhao);

b). Descendants of Hangmeng, the younger brother of Shingmeng, in the second direct male lineal descents from legendary ancestor, Chongthu, consisting of
(1) Kom,
(2) Kilong,
(3) Chiru,
(4) Chothe,
(5) Purum ,
(6) Koireng,
(7) Koirao,
(8) Misao,
(9) Lupheng,
(10) Lupho,
(11) Ngoilu (Ngailut),
(12) Tuiboi, and
all other old Kuki groups not mentioned herein;
AND

c). Descendants of ancient races who are not of Chongthu pedigree but claiming to have lived over the earth, enduring the trauma of torturous and quelling Thimzin episode before Chongthu and his party emerged from the bowels of earth (khul or Khur) who have for all intents and purposes have absorbed and could as well be under the honourific 'burman title', called Thadou, meant for persons of fame and repute.

They consist of
(1) Lhangum,
(2) Thangngeo,
(3) Lunkim,
(4) Changsan,
(5) Lenthang.

They claim that they have not belonged to the descendants of Chongthu and have not been bound by the system of payment of 'Sating' to any of the above groups of clans at (a) and (b) above.

Lastly but not the least, the term 'Khongsai' was found first to have been used by the Haokip Thadou 'for Thado'. They also speak of themselves as 'Thado' and though this term, 'Khongsai', may be taken to cover all other clans, not actually claiming 'Thado' as an ancestor, 'Khongsai' originally and precisely is used to denote 'Thado' "...who are the cream of 'Khongsai' per excellence, the male descendants of Thado.." according to Hutton, Dr.J. H.: 1928

Having said and done without any prejudice to anyone, the findings and contentions on the subject matter are open for pragmatic and objective academic exercises for benefits of young intellectuals, administrators, anthropologists, sociologists and policy decision makers. However, the bottom line is that the thadous are also one of the numerous Kuki families.

REFERENCE:

1. Jimmy Jamkhomang Thadou ( A brief ancient history of the Thadou inhabitants in Manipur Hills)
2. T.S. Gangte (Structure of the Thadou society)

Concluded....

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* Paominlien Kipgen wrote this article and was published in Hueiyen Lanpao (English Edition) . This article was webcasted at e-pao.net on 11th May 2010.

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