Ethnobiology in Mizoram State: Folklore Medico-Zoology
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Bull.Ind.lnst.Hist.Med. Vol. XXIX - 1999 pp /23 tc 148 ETHNOBIOLOGY IN MIZORAM STATE: FOLKLORE MEDICO-ZOOLOGY H.LALRAMNGHINGLOVA * ABSTRACT Studies in cthnobotany and ethnozoology under the umbrella of Ethnobiology seem imbalanced in the sense that enormous publications have accumulated in case of the former but only little information has been disseminated in case of the latter. While 7500 wild plant species are known to be used by tribals in medicine, only 76 species of animals have been shown as medicinal resources (Anonymous, 1994). The present paper is the first-hand information of folklore medicine from animals in Mizoram. The animals enumerated comprise 01'25 vertebrates and 31 invertebrates and arc used for treatment of over 40 kinds of diseases or ailments, including jaundice, tuberculosis, hepatitis, cancer, asthma and veterinary disease. The author, however, does not recommend destruction of wild animals, he it for food or medicine. Keywords: Folklore medicine, ethnozoology, wildlife, conservation, Mizoram. Introduction operation correlate with their customs and Mizoram is the last frontier of the ceremonies. One of the most important Hirnalyan ranges in the North-East India feasts a Lushai can perform is called and flanked by Bangladesh in the west, 'Khuangchawi' which involved a great deal Myanmar in the east and south, and Assam of money that only the Chiefs or a few we//- in the north. It has a total geographical area to-do people could perform (Parry, 1928). of 21,081 Km ' with a population of A man who performed such ceremony was 6,89,756 persons (census 19(1) and stood called 'Thangchhuah '. Thangchhuah is a second in literacy rate (82.27%) title given to a man who has distinguished (Anonymous, 1996), while the state is himself by killing a certain number of highest in tribal population (94.8'Yo) in India different animals or by giving a certain (Vijayananunni, 1996). number of public feasts (Lorrain, 1940). Historical Background There are two types of 'thangchhuahl. One refers to the killing of certain The Mizos were formerly known as prescribed wild animals, viz., bear 'Lushais'. They were animists before they (savawm), gaur (Sele), samber (Sazuk), became Christians in 1894. The Lushai wild boar (Sanghal) Viper (Rulngan), Hills was full of jungles in the early days. serpent eagle (Muvanlai), elephant (Sai) 'Jhuming and hunting have been the only and flying squirrel (Vahluk) Zawla, 1981; occupation which provided food to the Hluna, 1992). This is called 'Ram lama people. Their jhuming and hunting Thangchhuah' (ram = jungle). The other Environment & Forests Department, Mizorarn, Aizawl - 796001. 124 Bull.Ind.Inst.Hist.Med. VolXYlX - 1999 refers to the killing of domestic animals, systematization of zoological nomenclature viz., mithun (Tumpang), 2 piglets (Vawk was done in the library of Zoological no-te), bull gayal (Sial), boar (Vawk pa), Survey of India, regional station, Shillong. other baby pigs (Vawk-no-te-dang) and a The study was conducted during J 995- sow (Vawk-pui), and arrange a large 1997. quantity of local liquor (Z1/) up to 80 posts Some important wild animals in and 15 small posts each day for 3-5 Mizoram are: Elephas maxima (Sai), consecutive days for seven successive Panthera tigris (Keipui), Pipardus (Keite), ceremonise (Parry, 1928). Cervus unicolor (Sazuk), Muntiacus This is called 'In lama Thangchhuah' muntjak (Sakhi) Capricornis sumatrensis in = house). (Saza), Meiursus urc inus (Savawm), Among other things, one significant Selenarctos thibetanus (Savawm), Hysterix purpose ofbecoming a 'Thangchhuah' man indica (Sakuh), Hylobates hoolock is to escape the shot of 'Pawa ' a gaint man (Hauhuk), Maccaca assamensis (Zawng), who used to shoot every person who had Python molursus (Saphai), Lop h ur a not killed man or animal, who sat at the leucomelana (Vahrit), Polypectr on entrance gate of 'Pialral ' (Paradise) after bicalcaratum (Vahrihaw), Anth oceros death. This being the case, it may require malabaricus (Vahai), Picus can us (Thloh), one man's entire life to complete the series, Myiophonus caeruleus (Thangfen) etc. but, it is the coveted goal or every Mizo Discussion man to achieve the goal (Hluna, 1992). Although folklore medicine ofanimal Methodology : products had been in use since time The methodologies adopted for the immemorial, investigation on ethnozoology present study are field survey, general is practically nil in Mizoram. Frequent observation and secondary information. census operations of wild animals has been Field survey was conducted in the conducted by the State Environment & 'intra-hotspots' of National Parks and Forest Department and recently, survey of Wildlife Sanctuaries, viz; Dampa Tiger primates, serow and goral was conducted Reserve, Murlen National Park, Phawngpui by Mishra et al., 1994; avefouna ley National Park, Ngengpui Wildlife Shakar Raman et. al., 1995, and Robertson Sanctuary, Lungkulh virgin forest and 1995 and 1996. But, ethno-zoological Palak bio-diversity. General observations aspects has not been dealt with in so far as were also made in areas other than the hot- their resorts are concerned. The Zoological spots mentioned above. Secondary Survey ofIndia, Eastern Regional Section, informations were collected from Shil\ong might have had conducted survey knowledgeable persons of old ages, legends of zoological studies in Mizoram when All folklore and folksongs, cultures and India Coordinated Research Project on ceremonies, religious belief, writers, Ethnobiology programme was carried out composers and other material sources during 1982-83 (Anonymous, 1994). available in Mizoram. A few important Lorrain (1940) mentioned a few instances resources are Zoram Upa Paw! Thurawn of animal products which were used as Bu (1984), Vailinga (1991), Nuchhungi medicine. The field survey reveals that (1996) etc. Identification and certain animal products are still in use, Frhnobiology in Miz oram St ate - if. r:lfi.;II,nghinglova 125 !j,:niCLi larly in (11,' ill; t'i"'; \" places among accordance with Wildlife (Protection) Act, uiffcrent minority g!'(>,,,,S like Chakmas, 1972 (ammended up to 1991) need to be Burs, Bawrn, Mog, including the Mizos carried on in the state, because of the fact themselves. But, the use of animal's partes) that jhuming and hunting has been an as medicine is usually kept secret in many integral part of the Mizo lifestyle since places. The joint venture programme on shifting cultivation can not be stopped as wildlife conservation launched by the State yet, the only means of wildlife conservation Environment & Forest Department and the is conservation of bio-diversity. The Young Mizo Association (Y.M.A., the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 ( as largest single voluntary organisation in amended upto 1991) prohibits the killing Mizoram) during 1992 and 1993 declared and hunting of all wild animals except with the year I 9921J 993 as "Year of Wildlife a permission from the competent authority; Conservation" This venture was very and no one should take to killing wild effective. Many licence holders put down animals for the sake of medicines. It should their guns, poisoning offish and birds and be understood that the ethno-rnedico- trapping of animals sharply decreased, and zoological uses relate to the ancient times illegal killing of animals reported. Public for academic record. education was imparted through mass- Acknowledgement media, planting of fruit bearing trees, The author is grateful to distriburicn of pamphlets and stickers and Dr. G. K. Srivastava former Offiser-in- enforcement of The Wildlife (Protection) Charge & Head, Zoological Survey of Act, (1972) was effective leading to the India, Eastern Regional Station, Shillong receipt of best Award on wildlife and the successor, Dr. S.l.S. Hattar and staff conservation programmes from the Govt. for systematizing and updating the of India in J 993. And now, the awareness nomenclature of zoological names and of biodiversity conservation prevails in the offering valuable suggestions. His sincere state than ever before. thanks go to Dr. S.K. Jain, Director, Enumeration Institute of Ethnobiology, National The zoological names are classified Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow for into Mammalia, Eves, Reptilia, Amphibia, going through the script and made Pisces, Arthropoda, Arachnida, Insecta, necessary corrections. Thanks are also due Myriapoda and Mollusca. The zoological to Mrs. Lalramthanga, IFS the then DCF names are arranged in descending order (Hqrs.) Environment & Forest Department, with authors where possible followed by Mizoram (now A.LG., Ministry of En vi. & the common names. Local names are given Forest Dept. New Delhi) for rendering exactly as they are pronounced. The part valuable suggestions, and Prof.L.K. Jha, (s) USc~!J, the preparation, purposes and Forestry Dept., North Eastern Hill SCI"-;,j,. .e s are given in a tabular form University, Mizoram Campus, Aizawl for (Tab!«-I). Altogether 56 animals are his encouragement and inspirations, under presented as source of ethnomedicines. whose able guidance the ethnobotanical Conclusion research work was carried out by the author in Mizoram during 1995-97. '. :jl'()u~h amendable affords have been -:"C:c ill the recent past, strict vigilance in •..... I'-,,) 0., TABLE-I. Folklore Medico-Zoology In Mizoram State Classification Zoological Common Local Part used Method of prepa- Purpose/ Scheduled Name Name Name ration & admini diseases tration. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Class: MAMMALIA Order: Primates Family: Lorisidae Nycticebus Slow loris Sa-huaini-do. Dry bones. Dry bones or ribs Self-defence I.Part-I coucang Boddaert ribs. kept in the pocket! against the body. magic power of witchcraft, the power of which remain inertive. tl:l ;:: Hairs Applied on cuts Haemostatics. :-- ~- ~ Family: Hylobatidae Hylobates Hoolock Hau-huk Meat Cooked meat is Facilitate I. Part - I :l hoolock gibbon given to a pregnant easy labour. ':"-" ::t: Harlan women; soup taken Bee-string c:;. internally. ,- ~ ~ Fresh & Drunk c.1 0 ml at Colic, hepatitis, ~ warm blood a time. hemicrania. § ~ Blood mixed with Tuberculosis, •..... local liquor taken colic & anaemia. '0 '0 internally. '0 tl1 ;;. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ~ c o- Blood mixed with Fracture of c· turpintine ap- bone.