Rituals

Yakthung Rituals

Hitaram Tilling

Yakthung Rituals

The original Yakthung rituals have three main types: individual, family, and community-specific.

The individual-specific rituals include birth, marriage, and death rituals. Under birth rituals fall Sappok Chomen and Yangdang Phongma. In marriage rituals, it is Tendham Mekhim for sons, and Ingme and Mellung Phuma for daughters.

After that, in death rituals, depending on the nature of death, different methods are followed, such as Sasik Yangdang, Henjiri Hembange, Sugup, Idhuken Sogha, Tangamba, Letchham Phungsam, Yaguchangsi, and others for the final rites.

The family-specific rituals include Chasok Thisok, Yakwa, Tangsing, Akwama, Phaksot, Nahen, Himlili, and other ceremonies.

Similarly, the community-specific rituals include Yalang, Kelang, Hakpare, Tumdum Henamama, Lung Lepma, Chaing, Pambhe, Thokla, and others.

Periods for Yakthung Ritual Procedures

Sappok Chomen – This ritual must be performed for a married woman when the baby moves in her womb, either one month before birth or within the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy.

Yangdang Phongma: This is  performed after the baby is born: on the third day if it is a daughter, and on the fourth day if it is a son.

Sa’i Chomen: When children reach age 3, a pig is slaughtered in joy and celebration, with wishes for the children’s bright future.

Manggena: After a child’s front teeth are replaced,  usually around the age of 9 or 10), this ritual is performed; preferably done every year if convenient, but at least once every three years, even if inconvenient.

Phungwa Changma: This is to be performed when a daughter reaches adolescence.

Mekhim/Ingme: Mekhim is performed when a son becomes physically and biologically mature; Ingme is performed for a daughter after the marriage arrangements have been made, usually at the age of 20–25.

Mellung Phuma: This is to be performed after a daughter has married, given birth to children, and has complete trust in her husband.

Nahangma:  This is performed by the eldest son after the death of the father, who is considered the head of the household.

Yakthung Death Rituals

Masingma Yen: After death, this ritual involves arranging the corpse, changing the clothes, firing a gun, collecting necessary items, preparing chedhap (funeral bier), placing twa yang (a coin to be placed on forehead), and consulting about when and where the Chelupden (burial place) will take place.

Chelup Yen: On the day of the funeral, the mourners prepare the chedhap, arrange refreshments, buy soil, dig the grave, place the body in the grave, set up the sam (soul/spirit), perform the ritual of calling back the soul, bury properly, and perform samsama (in some clans).

Yumsa Yen: Meat and salt are distributed, netyukma (ritual mourning period) is observed, the samdakhung is placed, and after the yumsa, on the ninth day, the kusiringba ritual is performed.

Phaje Yen: On the purification day,      this includes removing the Samdakhung (in some clans), conducting rituals at the Khauma, and performing Muisemma Tangseng rituals in the evening..

Measures for the Preservation of Yakthung Rituals

Since the root of Yakthung rituals is Mundhum, a literacy campaign related to Mundhum should be conducted. Yakthung ritual and cultural seminars should be organized. Tumyahangs should be produced, and their role should be strengthened. Phedangma, Samba, Yeba, Yema, and Yuma should be institutionalized.

Similarly, information should be provided on presenting matters that have psychological effects in a balanced way. This is because if negative rituals are performed, individuals with weak spirits become even weaker. Phedangma, Samba, Yeba, Yema, and Yumathukma should be treated with respect. The original Yakthung rituals and culture should be refined according to the needs of the time and explained scientifically.

There should be uniformity in the activities of the original Yakthung rituals and culture. The original Yakthung rituals and culture should be integrated into daily life. Proper remuneration should be arranged for Phedangma, Samba, Yeba, Yema, and Yumathukma. Their work should be developed as a respected profession.