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THE MISHING PEOPLE AND THEIR SPOKEN LANGUAGE : A CRITICAL STUDY A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Gauhati Kailask (Zhandra 'ValuU.dar, m. a U.G.C ( N.E.T ) Junior Research Fellow Modern Indian Languages Department Gauhati University Guwahati : : Assam 1992 250*7 - EV. SntyendrniA»(rMy<ii\ HotiWiuni Du|iaitiiirnt nl Mocjrnu Indian L;infju,i(j«* M. A, D. Phil. ( CM ) New Aits btnUmy, Gftulxih University Rabindranath Tagore Prof«sor Guwahati - 78101* The October 23, 1992 This is to certify that the thesis entitled "The Mishing People and their Spoken Language : A Critical Study", which is being submitted by Sri Kailash Chandra Talukdar for the award of the Degree of Doctor of Philo sophy in the Faculty of Arts to the University of Gauhati is a record of bonafide research work carried out by him under my supervision and guidance at the department of Modern Indian Languages, Gauhati University. The candidate has fulfilled all the necessary requirements under the Ph.D. Regulations of this Uni versity for submitting the thesis for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy of this University. This work, fully or partially has not submitted by the candidate elsewhere for any degree or prize. ( Satyendranarayan Goswami ) •7. 3.1 o- c' ~1' Rabindranath Tagor® Professor ft Head, Department of M.1.L. Gauhati University P f o ^7 PREFACE The present dissertation is an humble attempt to analyse the life, Culture and language of the Mishings of Brahmaputra Valley. This has been done as per viewpoint of the socio-linguistics. The earlier studies made on this community being, mainly ethnographic I in nature where the different major aspects of the Mishings remained almost untouched. A scientific study on every aspects of a society is positively necessary to find out the formula of plan and programme for its batter development in future. Hence the study on culture and language of the Mishings has been ialenup through consultation with my research guide, as the topic was formally accepted for producing a doctoral thesis under this Unversity. The scheme was also made accordingly as per needs of the Ph.D. dissertation. The entire work has been divided into two broad parts : F'art-I and Part-II. The first, part contains Introduction, Urigin Migration and Present position of the Mishing people while Part- II contains the rest seven chapters covering the different aspects of the linguistics of the Mishing language. The thesis is then ended with’a selected bibliography and Appendi;:. The primary data have been collected from quite a good number of remote Mishing villages selected very carefully for field work and personal investigation. The field work was done according to the principles of this type of linguistic studies with the help of informants of different age group. The prominent informants were sr.i Ganesh Pequ, Qaur isankar Dole, bandhuram Chungkurang, Sri Diram Kumbang and a few ladies. The entire work has been done? under the supervision of Ur. Satyendranarayan Goswami , Robindr anath Tagore Pr otessor and Head of the Department of Modern Indian Languages, Gauhati University and completed the entire draft. Finally, I admitted my indebtedness or my research guide and informents for their ungrudging help and kind co-operation. The 12th. September , 1W2 (Sri hat lash Lhandrn Ivlul d.u ) IJ.Li.C. (NET) Junior Research r el low M.l.L. Department Gauhati University. II ACKNOW!_EDGEMENT I am extremely greatful to parent -guide Dr. Satyendrenarayan Goswami, Robindranath Tagore Professor and Head, Department of Modern Indian Languages, Gauhati University. It is his painstaking supervision, guidance, sincere encouragement, constructive criticism and helpful suggestions for improvement in each and every stage are responsible for the completion of the present work. I very sincerely regret that I could not coin words to express my deep sense of gratitude to him. It is the Wishing people of different parts of Assam, specially Jonai-Dhemaj i, Baligaon and Majuli to wtiome 1 woe the greatest debt for their tremendous help and co-operation in my field investigation. I always’ remember the names of Dr. Ganesh Pegu, Sri Komison Mili, Sri Buurisankar Dole, Sri Muhiram Patir and their family members who hosted me besides Sri Gangaprasad Pegu, Sri Bandhu Ram Chungkurang, Sri Ram Kr. Dole, Sri Dehoram t Pegu etc. for their constant and unhasitating response to my needs. Words fail to express my deep sense of gratitude to all the aforesaid informents and Sri Diram Kumbang, Sri Boleswar Mili, Sri Pratap Pao, Sri Dharma Kanta Mili, Sri Khogen Pegu and Biren Mili for their unhasitating co-operation and timely help. I am also thankful to Sri T.R. Taid, Director of ABILAC for fiis valuable suggestions in my research. ill The author also ows a deep sense of gratitude to the following learned Scholars for their encouraging words and suggestions, namely Dr. Bani Kanta Sarma, Professor in M.I.L. Dept., Dr. Nabin Ch. Sarma, Reader in Folk-lore Research Dept., Dr. Birendranath Datta, Professor and Head, Folk-lore Research Dept., Dr. Rohini Kr. Mahanta, Professor and Head, Dept. of Linguistics, Sri Madhu Ram Boro, Lecturer of Linguistics Dept., Dr. Sailen Bharali, Reader in Assamese, S.U., Dr. tlmesh Deka, Lecturer in Assamese, G.U., Mrs. (Dr.) Lilabati Saikia, Reader in Assamese, Dr. Ramesh Pathak, Lectarer, Cotton College, and Dr. F'ramod Ch. Bhattaeharyya, Ex-retired Principal of B. Barooah College. 1 also wish to express my gratitude to all of my co-Research Scholars, among whome Sri Gajendra Adhikary, Sri Aswini Borah, sri Madhab Talukdar, Sri Banesh Ch. Mahanta deserve special mention. I am specially indebted to Miss Bijoylakshmi Bora for her sincere help and co-operation in copying some manuscript besides her some of the staff members of M.S. College, Jonai namely Sri Harakanta Pegu, Sri Jibesh Dole, Sri Beula Pegu, Mrs. Sukhalata F'hukan etc. are thankful for their help. I shall be failing in my duty if I donot express my deep sense of gratitude to my parents along with my brothers and sisters, who help me lot in my research both mentally and spiritually• TV The completion of my investigation was made possible only for a Junior Research Fellowship (NET : UBC) awarded to me for the period 1987-1992. The UGC authority really deserves my hearty thenks for this financial support. I am also greatful to the Bauhati University for allowing me to undertake this research in this University as a regular Research Scholar. My special thanks are due to the authority of 'Computer Academy & Professional Software', R.G.Baruah Rd., Guwahati.-3, who have heartedly undertaken the responsibility of computer softwaring this thesis. Date 12.9.1992 (Sri Kailash Chandra Talukdar) U.G,C.(NET) Junior Research Fellow M.I.L. Department. Gauhati University. ALPHABET P c.) pu 1 a r H i s h i n g A 1 p h a h p t F11 innemir A 1phabet in Roman script the 1HA usf-’d in l: i X e e u i V c e a R u u o a k k M y t t (..1 (1 P P b h m m n n ny n n3 , T 1 1 r r s s z y J 1 '■? m _ 1 7* n n VI A B B R t i V X A I X D IM S r e p. ri'pr in t tr . 1 i- ans 1 a 1 oc 1 rev. revised ed . pdited PI.)DC). Paqro -Delu Dambuq l!v fcir. group Ha . s h a yang MS. Moy inq- Samuanq Mis. Hj. sin. nq As. Assamese Hin . H i.nd i hiiq . inq)ash Sans . Sanskrlt Bg . Benga 1 i Br . Boro Dr . Deur i Mp. Man ipur.i Mk . M i k l r Mc1 . Mi md -a r i I< s . Khasi Au . Austric P rt. f'or tuquese Fr . French Du . Dutch P--A. l-'erso-Arabin VII GLOSSARY A bang Ra ig iou5 s0ng of r he hishinq and Ad 1 language. 1 Aham A ahan t r i 1 * belong to flu:' groat ai ram. 1 1 1 Apatani A tribe of Arunacha] Pradesh. Asi A N i •. h 1 r 1 (1 ward lor water . A bar he Ad i tribe* of Arms.!. 1<< jiradpsh . 1 1 1 Abatani The father figure u the Mishing legend. 1 Ami The Nishing word for 'man'. Aka A Arunachalee tribe known by Hrussu. Adi tak Name of a Gal.long village of Aruriarhal pr e,.x It" ,h. Aha Name < > t . \ par It I / ■, hi iwii in I ho per i m I < 1 I 1 eh. 1 1,, 1 A ri A Mishing word to denote cornander. Apong Mishing rice beer. A1 i-aye-1igang Aqr ic::u 1 tura I festival of t he Mi ■ h 1 nu . Ama-yukang A precssmto deter mint.! good or bad omens among the MisHIngs. ’ Ada A votary of a deity. Are-akun A packet consisting of dried fish, aponq, betelnut etc. wlucl^ offered in the next stage 01 the Midang of the Mishing. A1 ig Bride price of the Mishing. A ff innal Who are related to us by marriage. A li Mishing word to denote roots. Aye Mishing word to denote fruits. Azeng Contribution of Mishing families for roc.io r e i g 1011 s f u r > c 10 n 0 f t h e v a a q r . 1 1 1 1 Asin—tag ir A process to study the future of the Mishing. 5 5 Ago—golung The cremation ground or graveyard of the M .i s h mgs. yin