The Zou tribe - In India, the Zou are officially recognized as one of the thirty-three indigenous peoples within the state of Manipur, and are one of the Scheduled tribes. According to the 2001 Census, the Zou population in Manipur is around 20,000, less than 3% of the population. The community is concentrated in Churachandpur and Chandel districts of Manipur in North-East India.
The Zou Customs - The traditional customs, practices and other related issues of this small tribe has recently been explored systematically. Unfortunately, this tribe has escaped the attention of social scientists in general and sociologists in particular. The Zous like other tribal communities in the northeast India have maintained their age-old customary practices.
Types of Marriages - The Zou tribe generally follows what is called as "Patrilineal cross-cousin's marriage" which is their first choice known as Neila. It is generally observed that the traditional marriage system of the Zou tribes is regulated either by (i) Tong Mou (Arranged marriage), (ii) Neila (Cross cousin Marriage), and (ii) Elopement Marriage. THe above three types of marriage of course consist of arrange as well as love marriage. There are minute details to be explored with related to Zou customary marriage practices, I am not going to elaborate on all these minute details at the moment. This article aims at the contemporary practices without going in deep studies.
The Zou Customs - The traditional customs, practices and other related issues of this small tribe has recently been explored systematically. Unfortunately, this tribe has escaped the attention of social scientists in general and sociologists in particular. The Zous like other tribal communities in the northeast India have maintained their age-old customary practices.
Types of Marriages - The Zou tribe generally follows what is called as "Patrilineal cross-cousin's marriage" which is their first choice known as Neila. It is generally observed that the traditional marriage system of the Zou tribes is regulated either by (i) Tong Mou (Arranged marriage), (ii) Neila (Cross cousin Marriage), and (ii) Elopement Marriage. THe above three types of marriage of course consist of arrange as well as love marriage. There are minute details to be explored with related to Zou customary marriage practices, I am not going to elaborate on all these minute details at the moment. This article aims at the contemporary practices without going in deep studies.
The Proposal & Engagement (Mou Dawpna) - Customarily marriages as well as Christianity Holy Matrimonial marriages started with the parents of the boy or through their household council member called Palai (Agent). The processes of engagement for Arrange Marriages or Love marriage (an eloped couple) starts with the boy's family. His parent or through their household council members along with a "jar" of rice beer or tea went to the girl's parent and start negotiation. If the girl's parents agrees to the proposal and amicably settled for marriage, they can accept and drink the Ju or tea, hence, the customary bride price of the girl and a date for marriage was fixed.
Tunsa - As per the agreement of both the parties on a fixed date, the boy's family members comes to the girl's family for fulfilling certain customary law. This particular customary law/practice is known as "Tunsa-tha". Though I could not so far explore the literal meaning of "Tun", i hope it would definitely have one very meaningful phrase with related to the practices. Here "Sa" means animal/meat. On this day, both the parties sit in a round and the meeting get started by the "Thallou" (politically, the term is equivalent to cabinet minister, but customarily he is the person who manage the administrations of customary practices in the Zou's families) by welcome address and introduction of the boy's family participants. Right after the introduction, their "Tanu Bul" (the number one of the four who looks after any customary related work in the Zou's families, especially those married aunties) will bring "Lawpi/gaedal", then the Tallou will start giving out of the Bride's price as per the custom.
The Bride's Price - Traditionally the Zou bride price is five mithuns including some articles or items like hoe, rug, axe, basket with string etc.
1). Tha-man or Thataan-man - This is the first payment paid to the girl's family on the first day of negotiation. Earlier it was a traditional cloth which was converted to cash. This thataan is usually paid as mentioned, but the young generation now a day used to take it on the day of Tunsa-tha. At present it is Rs 2000/-.
2) Man Lamkai/Manpi (
TO BE CONTINUED......................
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