GLOSSARY

Aa child

Aabripa beating sword in loom

Aagun fire

Aai mother

Aana Kudma ancestral soul kept in a pot at home

Aanyongo ritual examination

Aar potato

Aayo mother

Abbeya mediator

Abhi thu hunting ritual

Abripa a loom stick

Abuzu maize powder

Achha, Thik Rai okay, fine

Adapo trap

Adda advance loan

Adichuviluthal prostration beating the chest by hands

Adipra bamboo spoon

Adivasi ancient inhabitants

Adoo Embo cousins (maternal)

Agarathiappan Tamil folk god

Agarbatti incense sticks

Agni fire

Agra bamboo basket

Agua go between/messenger of marriage proposal

Ahi ko mithun

(bos frontalis) habitation area

Ahimsa non-violence

Ahir cow herd caste

Ahu Kochi sling bag of bear skin

Ai Khaw Kylliang a taboo to marry the daughter of a paternal aunt

Aji/Kaji rice beer strainer

Akakhre silver earrings

Akhra meeting ground for different purposes

Akhush or suwa pollution

Akshara Bhagban god of learning/letters

Akuh the title of the priest

Akupra a big lizard

Alo Thru cleansing ritual

Alomo lunatic behaviour

Amapandum worship and offering of new mango to deities

Amavasya/Krishna Paksham the new moon day

Ambapa forest

Ameoa creator and preserver of the universe

Ameoyan Tangkhul traditional religion

Amm water

Amra tiger

Amrala shaman’s headgear

Amuni trophies

Amus the first festival of the year

Ana relative

Anarya primitive and barbaric

Andaso the beginning of Reh in which an extra veranda is made

Andikru star

Andu rack

Angi taboo observance

Ango marriage by capture

Angrala month of November

Angti finger ring

Anja dirge

Ankallamman a Tamil folk goddess

Anrokhu dye

Anupu fine

Apesha grain spirit/deity

Apey to clean

Apfu Angami word for mother

Apotolo bamboo hats

Apouna/Ragwang good spirit, the eldest son of TingkaoRagwang

Apro mat

Arkhi liquor made from mahua flower

Aro coptis teeta

Arua raw rice/rice from unboiled paddy

Aruku cane and bamboo plate

Arulye white bead necklace

Arwa/Abdhatikhil raw rice/rice from unboiled paddy

Arya literate and civilised

Ashoka the window near the pigsty to let air and light in

Ashonu cane basket

Ashramshalas residential schools

Asthan a place or seat

Aswin the month of October

Ata to swear

Atho lunatic behaviour

Athrali a wild plant with itching sensation

Athumbo a fleshy shrub with sour taste

Athupopu a site near Keyala passes in Indo Tibetan border

Atige Eba paternal clan

Atobra a walking stick

Atu spirit

Au Haipou honorific address

Aweno child hauler

Aweto head band

Ayyanar a Tamil folk god

Ayyanar folk god

Azaan Islamic call to prayer

Baadi stick

Baans frog

Baba father

Bad Nazar evil eye

Badu/Khulu blankets

Baha in the past

Bainthi long curved blade fitted into a wooden foothold for cut­

ting purpose

Bairakh flag

Bakha uncle’s daughter

Bamshawali family/clan etc., genealogies

Banbuddhi a legendary malevolent beast dreaded by the Kashmiris

Bangla Gwang god of earth quake

Bango cluster of villages

Barajangar des the land of the 12 forests

Bari land the land near the house used to grow vegetables

Barzakh a state of waiting until the judgement day

Basyoda or Shiloda food prepared for offerings one day before

Becha close family friends

Beka water serpent/water spirit

Berumanusom five elders of Yerikula tribe of Kulapanchayat

Bhaat rice

Bhagban god

Bhagwan the God

Bhajan singing the name of god in chorus

Bhelaghar temporary huts

Bhelwa a tree (Semicarpusanacardium)

Bhije bhaat wet rice

Bhopa the priest in Sahariya community

Bhrashtu practice of excommunication from the territory on the

breach of incest taboo

Bhuinhars the descendants of the original founder or founders of an

Oraon village

Bhulas tramp or stray spirits

Bhur garden

Bhut ghosts or the mischievous spirit

Bhut parab election

Biching roof of the house

Bidai bidding farewell

Bilati tomato

Bilipfu the woman who pronounces blessing on the harvest in

Angami harvest initiation ritual

Biri a local form of cigarette

Biribik water serpent with a head with horns, considered an evil

in Adi lore

Birus ritual sacrifice offered to a deity

Bisnu/Bonchanu/Manchanu good spirit, second son of TingkaoRagwang Bogari kayat branch of plum tree

Bohare a caste of shopkeeper or money lenders

Brahmotsavam ten day Vedic festival in temple

Bro grave

Brushav bull

BuchaMeipu the Creator of life

BudamMeipu deity who gives life to all

Buibang a long bladed knife

Burusung the god who protects the salap tree

BusinMeipu deity holding the souls of all living things

Butto maize

Chabang lhuda evil spirit of the south

Chabootre the Place of Worship in a Sahariya village

Chagamei/Pa Ra evil spirits

Chakan Gan Ngai annual ceremony to bid farewell to departed souls

Chakebou (Liangmais) annual ritual of sending off the souls of the deceased

person (s)

Chakkiliyars a Scheduled Caste of Tamil Nadu

Chal mithun (bos frontalis)

Chala Pacho a goddess in Oraon tribe

Chaliuroubo ethical principle of selflessness

Champei goddess of birds and animals

Chandi a deity who protects from evil eye

Chang Lhakou invoking soul of the paddy

Changdon Ngai ritual meant for repairing of village road

Changlhu evil spirit

Changlhu lhudai evil spirit of the north

Characheng literally means “God’s way of life,” also known as Poupe

Racheng (Forefathers’ Religion)

Charaipui deity of wealth (an assistant to Kambupui)

Charakilongmei good spirit for the welfare of the humankind, seventh son

of Tingkao Ragwang

Charu a harvest festival

Charubeda the seat of the god Rav Baba

Charuidih the land of the dead

Chavang Kut post-harvest festival related to paddy/rice

Cheiraoba New Year’s Day of the Meitei/Meetei

Chhim infertility in a woman

Chhuri knife

Chipee (or chipi) evil spirit

Chironji calumpong nut/almondette kernel

Chiuniune malum superstitions

Choli Waddar’s word for jacket

Chonchai good spirit/god for prosperity, the fifth son of

TingkaoRagwang

Chopans Bakarwal local shepherds

Chukhieo the Spirit guardian of wild life in Angami region

Chulha hearth

Chulha Khajjas oil collected from the hearth

Chulikatta/Bebejiya Assamese term for Idu Mishmis

Chum phun ban phi ancestor worship

Chung Pathen holy father above supreme being

Churail ghost of the women who died during pregnancy or child

birth or within a few days of it

Clan kundi underground settlement for ancestor spirits of a particu­

lar clan near the village

Dafan burial

Dahha ritual of offering

Dahura branch of a tree

Dahura branch of a tree

Dain Kuri Bhut adopted familiar spirit for anti-social purpose

Daita tribal servitors of Lord Jagannath

Dak postal service

Dam ancestors

Dampagallhou rituals to ensure normal growth of a child

and Dampakhonmei

Dampapu god of creation

Dampapui goddess of creation

Dand head among the farmers in the village

Danda stick

Dandakatta/BhelwaPhadi a ritual of the Oraon tribe

Danki a brass vessel having traditional value

Darha Tanr/Darha Tonka the place where sacrifice is offered to

Darha spirit

Dav Ghaukh Sawang positive energy

Dekhe disc

Devata god

Devati/Devi goddess

Devgudi village shrine

Dhangras young men

Dhangris young women

Dharmesh a god in Oraon tribe which represents the Sun

Dhartini Ma the earth mother

Dheva-Kotta-Kallu God given stone/spirit stone

Dhumkudia male dormitory of the Oraon

Dhumkuria bachelors’ dormitory

Dhungia hand-made local tobacco cigar

Dhunis holy fire kept burning continuously

Dhuti a loin cloth for men

Di Tingpu Di Zangpu father and mother goddess earth

Didet/Ditung the two vertical lines representing zodiac signs

Dimitayang the lonely spirit who stirs up lake waters and clutches

trespassing men in icy embrace in Adi region

Disari soothsayer and medicine man

Diwad Endna dance performed by the girls at the Diwad

Diyari festival of light (in Halbi language)

Doibom Puthul small basket, one of the components of Indoi

Doikhom ritual post

Dongatanamu Yerikula’s word for stealing

Dongjao Ngai competition among village farmers organised by Pei (tra­

ditional village court/council)

Donyi Polo the Sun and the Moon gods

Dro/Dron tutelary spirit

Duira water god

Duma the spirit of an ancestor

Dungudunga a stringed musical instrument

Dupu cage

Egambo cactus plant

Ehiga practice

Eho rich

Ela moon

Emo epilepsy

Ena taboo

Endo poor

Epago sago palm tree

Epe winnowing tray

Epo slave

Epoto elephant grass

Erpa house

Etho defamation

Eto fowl

Eto/peto haversack

Etondre/Anatubu war coats

Ettuttokkai an ancient Tamil literature

Fard e kifaya collective obligation in Islam

Fatiha Khwani Bakarwal tradition of Islamic prayer by deceased person’s

relatives and friends for deceased's better afterlife

Gairah Bhutaha Khet the piece of land from which expense for the sacrifices to

Gairahi Bhut is derived

Gairahi Bhut a particular group of village spirits

Gaondevi goddess of the village

Gayata associate priest of Devgudi

Geida first sacrifice performed after an Angami marriage

Geisu ruthou chicken sacrifice in Angami rituals

Gendi a dance during Amus

Genna day no work day

Gerundu/Zuhi cane hats

Ghanta brass bell

Ghantapatua traditional male dancers, usually with a pitcher on head

Ghar Damad a male who lives in his in-laws’ house

Gharwapsi return to the prior religious order

Ghata pitcher

Ghusi loin cloth worn by men

Ghusl ceremonial cleansing

Ginki mei household reitual seeking ancestors’ blessings of prosper­

ity and good health

Gobari/Maiend/saare cow dung

Gokpai omen reading by examining the spleen of a sacrificed pig

Gonlo forest spirit

Gora/Gondali a variety Upland rice

Gorait a person who plays music during festival belonging to a

special group

Goti bonded labourer

Gotra the totemic clan

Gotras Yerikula’s use of the word for clan

Gove Mane place with staked stones

Grama kovilgal folk temples

Guidui ngai worshipping Goddess Di Tingpu Di Zangpu (father and

mother earth) for the fertility of soil and good harvest

Gulim dansanmei omen reading by using ginger

Gunam/Gunum rituals performed to pacify the wandering spirits of the

ancestors

Gurang Poi evil spirits

Guru seva to pay homage to the teacher by serving him

Haat street/rural market

Hamai the traditional name of the Zeliangrong community,

which includes cognate communities, namely Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Zeme

Hangva local village council

Hanriya/hadia/handia rice beer

Hao laa folksong

Haomei generic name for hill people/tribes in Manipuri

Haosa village chief

Havan a ritual offering of ghee and grain to the fire

He unit of measurement

Hegaaze (Zeme’s) annual ritual of sending off the souls of the deceased

person(s)

Hengdang traditional sword

Heraka a revival religion of Zeliangrong

Hima a Khasi state

Hinged scripted rules governing everyday life

Hoi a Naga yell

Hongcha roof of the portico in a house

Hongkho Khao bringing goddess Lakshami home

Ho-Phi platform constructed temporarily by bamboo sticks

and thatches

Hun Ahkang Tha sacrifice of white cock

Hun time/seasonal ritual

Iateh Kur clan relations

Ichi husband

Igu shaman

Igu gru reward to the shaman

Iku dog

Indoi bundle of charms or magical formulas

Indur (Chalua, Bourdia, Khatua) local name of different types of rat

Ini the Sun

Ini la po where the destruction took place

Ini la phi the great fire of destruction

Inoosi fruit

Inyi la phi the great burning of earth

Ipi Su Bey rogue/thief

Ipih perching bird

Iruta sword

Isvar god

Ithrungo chest

Ithu corpse

Jaal fishing net

Jagaran singing sessions at night

Jakarura dam all dead ones who died unnaturally

Jamah shirt

Jamru sap Oriental or Indian rat snake

Janshatmi Lord Krishna’s birthday

Jatra meeting place on the occasion of a group worship

Jatra Khunta the wooden post at the dancing meet

Jhara/Hadiya rice beer

Jhum shifting cultivation

Jitia a Hindu ritual celebrated by mothers for children’s wellbe­

ing during the first half of Aswin month corresponding to September

Jiu soul

Jogani offering of new crops to deities before self-consumption

Johar Bhenth a ritual to greet Gayata on the Diwad festival

Joor river; in this paper used for ‘Kanshabati River’

Joupaankeimei libation of rice beer

Jworo water used for both drinking and household use

Ka mheek ever wakeful eyes,

Ka Beh Shnong exile from village

Ka Jingiateh Ktien wedding engagement

Ka Khadduh youngest daughter

Ka Niam Ing rituals within the family

Ka Niam Kur/Hima rituals within the clan

Ka On Kongor assisting bridegroom to the bride’s house

Ka Pyrta Shnong summon to villagers

Ka Ring Kongor or tradition of receiving of bridegroom

Ka Shaw Kongor

Ka Sang Sohpet an unpardonable sin to marry parallel cousins

Ka Sang Syngken an unpardonable sin to marry father’s sister or their

grand children

Ka Shong Sang an unpardonable sin of a marriage within the clan

Ka Shong Sang Synrai an unpardonable sin to marry one’s sister-in-law or

mother-in-law

Ka Tah Umphniang applying oil to wedded couple

Ka Tait Kur ex-communication from the clan

Kabokathumahao (Manipuri) local sweets, made from fried paddy and molasses Kachim tortoise

Kafan shroud

Kai devoid of

Kaiba Bhamboo village deity in charge of the southern gate

Kaibhamei evil spirit

Kaikulla presiding deity of each corner formed by any two of the

four cardinal directions

Kailang Ruanmei guard of the village

Kaipi Bhamboo village deity in charge of the northern gate

Kairao presiding deity of the house/ancestral deity

Kairao thee a ceremony to appease the

Kairao for the welfare of the community

Kaj socio-religious performance

Kallar an ex-criminal tribe of Tamil Nadu

Kalumkai house of worship/temple of Tingkao Ragwang

Kambring priest of the Mishmi (Shaman/Miri)

Kambupui the patron goddess of wealth

Kameo deities

Kancha/Dhibba coins

Kaniu kari taboo and associated rituals

Kanto/Binthi knife

Kapakara evil spirits/devils

Kapenpui evil spirit of epidemic

Kaphung Kameo mountain spirit/deity

Kapi winter

Karam Basi Ghee on the second day of Karma

Karam a festival of Oraon tribe

Karampei presiding deity (male) of the locality

Karampou presiding deity (female) of the locality

Karanavan maternal uncle

Karangong good spirit, the sixth son of Tingkao Ragwang

Karchhul a large spoon

Kasa Akhava supreme being; creator

Kasa Akhava Ava Varivara god, the father and creator

KasaAkhavaVarivara god, the creator

Kasotas or dhotis loin cloth

Katampavanam the grove of Kadampa trees

Katha catechu

Kathu summer

Kaudo the young god residing nearby goddess Keina

Kaval deivam guardian deity

Kazeiram the land of dead

Kazingram heaven

Ke rice

Kebang village council of the Abor (Adi)

Keda Vettu Virundu young buck/bull sacrifice followed by community feast

Keina water goddess

Kelchal Ki heh curled horn of the he-goat

Kelipie an Angami agricultural festival

Kellim porch

Kelumki or Kalum Kai temple of Heraka and TRC

Kepu paddy

Kera aa Idu Mishmi people

Kerutsu the first day of field going for Angami married couple

Kerutsu the practice of an Angami married couple going to work

in the fields

Ketera winnowing plate made up of bamboo strips

Keyum nothingness in Adi language

Khajj Tatthi earthen lamp

Khamba pillar or post

Khangchiu male dormitory

Khanong local healer

Khaokho/Chaovei bangle made of bamboo

Khar straw

Kharapuja/Kharihani worship of the threshing floor

Khed Norhna washing the feet in a special manner

Kheer porridge made of milk and rice

Kheer-Puri porridge and oil- fried Indian pancake

Khel lineage

Kher bee egg of fowl

Kheta bowl

Khinu spirit

Kho vangboh blessing ceremony of the village

Khoi parched rice (a food prepared by frying paddy in sand

heated on oven)

Khol a type of drum

Khor rice beer

Khumpi main pillar inside traditional Kuki house

Khun spear

Khunt Bhut tutelary spirits of a particular clan

Khunt a particular clan/clan based village

Khutna circumcision

Khwan or ayu water

Kin khao mao eating new rice

Kirhupfumia the Angami word for a woman with lethal powers capa­

ble of crippling people and also destroying plants

Kni maternal uncle

Kodangi shaman

Kodar bant wooden handle of axe

Koila powder/Koielachind charcoal powder

Koklumei good spirit the fourth son of TingkaoRagwang

Kokto the god of the land of dead

Kolang Endna third day of the Diwad festival

Kong Kameo river spirit/deity

Kotwal messenger

Kovil kadugal sacred groves

Kovil Kammais sacred tanks

Koya Punem Gondi religion and philosophy

Ksha ghosts of Mishmi hills

Kshatriyas the warrior social division in Hindu Varna hierarchy

(occupational division) KudhaPakhna/Pathal Punji a heap of pebbles on the outskirts of an Oraon village,

connected with some remarkable achievement or death of some ancient hero

Kula Dharma Yerikula’s word for caste/clan duty

Kumba Dhevaru deification of pot deities

Kumbhabhishekam temple consecration ceremony

Kumkum use of the word for vermilion

Kunmei good spirit, the protector of the village

Kur clan

Kuravar an ex-criminal tribe of Tamil Nadu

Kurukh language of the Oraon

Kurunthogai ancient Tamil literature

Kwa betel nut and betel leaf

Labon cha salted tea

Lagan Bandhi fixing the date of marriage

Lam la evil spirits

Landha rice beer

Lang bhangla spirit dwelling under the bedsteads

Lang paimei omen reading by using bow shaped cotton beating willow

Lanv wealth

Laora god of paddy field (evil spirit)

Lashu the Angami word for death during childbirth and is a

form of apotia (unnatural death)

Law manshi baby shower

Lhakou invoking souls of the departed

Liede Angami ritual initiation of harvest by a woman,

Bilipfu, who pronounces blessing on the harvest

Liuchiu female dormitory

Lo Imu white man (British)

Lohla month of January

Lopa Tibetan term for all hill tribes living in the south

Lorou real or mythical spiritual gate

Lota a round water container made of brass or copper

Lougai hoe used for ritual purpose

Lu bride price/gift

Luchu female dormitory

Luha iron made bangle

Lui Kameo field spirit/deity

Luk lao/laopani undiluted rice beer

Lyngdoh chief in some states, priest for religious purposes

Machh fish

Machi water

Madurai Veeran a Tamil folk god

Mahadania Pahan village priest appointed to offer sacrifice to the

Mahadania spirit

Mahadev a god in Hindu mythology

Mahapru great god

Mahr the bride price in Bakarwal community

Mahto secular headman of a particular village

Maidam traditional burial ground of the Ahom

Maigang fire god

Maitar bai adopted/ritual brother

Malu nettle plant

Manalounbo the concept of rebirth

Mandai a local term for Jatra

Mandar Salas pyramid shaped mounds of earth on some upland outside

the village

Mandia a variety of millet

Mandodev deity from offspring

Mangeto a species of bamboo

Manita Bhut spirit of a particular family

Manitbo restrictions and abstinence

Maniyam village headman

Mantra incantations

Mariamman a Tamil folk goddess

Masan burial ground

Masi a Tamil month corresponding to February and March

Matagudi shrines of goddess

Matai, Amik, Broh, Khroney spirit gods of the Mishmis

Mati soil/the spirit doctor

Mawbah big cinerarium of the clan

Mawshyieng small stone cairns

Mecha outsider

Mei people

Meicravmeicric/meicravgaymei giver of health

Meifa hell

Meipui Old Women’s Shelter

Meirapmei installation ritual of the new sacred fire in the dormitory

in place of the old one

Meji stack of firewood for religious bonfire

Mela group worship of invited deities from different villages

Menga host in the festival

Mepa outsider

Meriah human designated for sacrifice

Mi Lhakou invoking the soul of human

Midhi Adi term for Idu Mishmis

Midu those inhabiting the foothills

Mim Kut post-harvest festival related to millet

Mindri Idus inhabiting Dri and Mathum valleys

Mithikho village of death/abode of bliss

Mithu Idus inhabiting the Ithun valley

Mitimili a race of small, quiet supernatural beings

Mittom Kurichiyan word meaning settlement

Mitushipa guardian of animal spirit

Mong Gwang Cloud god

Mooh village priest

Moolnivasi original inhabitants

Moonnaman an elderly functionary occupying third position from

among affinal relatives or from the community

Moopatan ancestor

Moosli a variety of turmeric

Mo-rol form of rangoli-Indian art form created using different

colours

Mraba place of soul

Mudi peak

Mudu the land of soul

Murmakhunt a divine post at Murma village in Ranchi

Murukan Hinduised Tamil folk god

Muyee Waddar's word for gift exchange

Myntri minister

Na leaf

Naalu Paadi abode of spirit

Nadugal hero stone worship of ancient Tamil people

Nam kirtan repeated recitation of the name of the Lord Krishna fol­

lowed by playing of musical instruments

Nanu ngai community ear piercing annual festival

Nap paddy/rice

Nap chan the fifth day of Chakan Gan Ngai

Napchanmei oblation

Napkao mei an agricultural festival

Napsinmei God of paddy, the third son of TingkaoRagwang

Navakirakam V edic gods representing nine planets

Navratra a Hindu festival celebrated for nine days every year in

October or November

Navratri nine day festival observed in March and October

Nawa/Nua Khani/Khai ritual of eating new crop

Naya dancers

Neerpichi or paravai a man who regulates the flow of water

Neimei the custom of observing a holy day collectively

Ngai dai the second day of the Chakan Gan Ngai

Ngai ba the fourth day of Chakan Gaan Ngai

Ngai gangmei the first day of the Chakan Gan Ngai

(Nga) lung Kameo rock/stone spirit/deity

Nia Kha paternal aunt

Nimbo plains land

Nirmukhi without face

Nirmund without head

Nitnai day of rest

Niubo taboo

Nizhal spirit of the dead; literal meaning is shadow

Noimangpa lord of the underworld region

NounaMungkhaoKalummei a blessing ceremony for a couple Nukang Lon sacred room for keeping rice urns

Nulam affinal kinship

Nungi a long loin cloth worn on waist chiefly by men

Nuou the Angami practice of giving meat during festivals by

maternal relatives

Nyu the forefather of the Tai Ahom

Ojha maduli amulet provided by sorcerer

Okkaku bettedi/ Waddar's word for betrothal

Tambulam bettedi

Oli Waddar's word for bride price

Pa yeast

Paachi ant

Pach Balar the group of ancestor spirits

Padu spring

Pahan priest

Pahan Khunt the clan of the

pahanPahan/Baiga the village priest

Pahanain the wife of village priest

Paila a wooden pot used to measure around one pound

Pajeimei a traditional Kabui dance specially performed by the

boys and girls by waving clothes

Paku field

Panbhara assistant of

pahanPanch an elder of the clan

Panchamit five different items such as milk, sugar, ghee, honey and

banana

Panchmahals five small princely states of Rajputs together

Panguni a Tamil month corresponding to March and April

Panth sect

Panty sangmei longer life

Paraiyars a Scheduled Caste of Tamil Nadu

Pargana a geographical territory of a group of villages or gram

panchayats

Parvati a goddess in Hindu mythology

Patdi ornament of Bhopa/priest made of gold or silver

Pathaiyathirai pilgrimage on foot

Pattuppattu an ancient Tamil literature

Patua performer

Pei the village court

Peikai house/office of the village court

Peimei the members of the village court,

Pekkaman Karuppasamy Tamil folk god

Pendli Waddar's word for marriage

Pensam in betweenness in Adi language

Perma priest

Phaimiu shaman

Phalaya hamlets

Phi god

Phouoibi khuramba (Manipuri) worshipping of the Goddess of paddy

Phri burn

Pimp Praru migratory birds

Pinda the ball of rice and other items immersed in the river and

performance of purificatory rituals

Pira flat wooden seat

Pitha guri rice powder

Pitha cake made of pounded grain

Pitr spirits of the dead ones in Sahariya worldview

Pitrubhumi fatherland

Pittan senior most male member of a Kurichiyan clan

Pong Gwang wind god

Pooja worship

Poornima/Shukla Paksham the full moon day

Potaguti grinding stone

Potni Mati a whitish clay

Prabhat feri a mini procession in early morning

Pragat conspicuous/revelation

Prasad/prasadam sacred food-offerings

Pu Tibetan

Pugri Bhut the familiar spirits of an individual often received sacri­

fices secretly

Puja/pooja ritual/worship

Pujar/Panbhara/Tahalu assistant of village priest

Pujara priest who solemnises marriages

Pujari priest of the village Devgudi

Pukphat ngai eating of new crop

Pulkhi memorial stone

Pung la presiding deity of mounds, an evil spirit

Punyabhoomi holy-land

Punyaha sacred water

Puri-subji a kind of pancake and vegetable curry

Puru man

Puthul bamboo basket

Raang pat the sixth day of Chakan Gaan Ngai

Rambhakt followers of Lord Ram

Ranee queen

Rangbah Shnong village headman

Rantas a legendary malevolent beast dreaded by the Gujar

Bakarwals

Rath Vistar an inhabitant of a forest or hilly region

Reh clan festival

Reisang Chonme supreme being; god

Rewari sweet dish made of jaggery

Rhoutho movement taboo day

Rhuotho another

genna (rest) day for the Angami

Ri ngai a community festival

Rikhumlubo revenge

Ringa short skirt

Rong/Ruan southern

Ruk- dang coffin

Rukhi bones

Runukbore protective wall built of stone

Sa Lhakou invoking soul of the animals

Saal pata leaf of

Shorea robustaSaharana separate clusters in multi-caste villages

Sahukar money lender

Sairem ba the ancestors of the dead

Sakhini female witness

Sakhua/atkha/sakhuakheta cup/bowl made of saal leaves

Salap a variety of palm

Salat al Janaza funeral prayer

Salha Kou prayer for successful hunting

Samanata even/plains

Samudaya community

Sannyasi hermit/celibate

Sant guru/saint

Sapung fermented juice of the palm tree

Sarna a sacred groove and place of worship of the Oraon

Sarna sthal sacred place for deity

Sat Bahini seven sisters

Sat truth/soul

Sekrenyi Angami festival of sanctification

Selani dingo female dormitory

Selani woman

Senkaivettu desiltation of the sacred tank

Sevak servitor

Sey to kill

Sha mithun (bos frontalis)

Shahada an Islamic pledge a component of the Azaan

Sharva priest

Sharvawo head priest

Shi iron

Shim kameo house spirit/deity

Shnong village

Shradha a Sahariya ritual for the spirits of the dead

Shuddhi purificatory ritual

Shukla Paksha rising moon

Si ye yeast powder used to ferment rice into beer

Sian knowledgeable and elder person of the village

Simba broad beans

Simil/semel silk cotton tree

Sindbore a stone platform on which the village council assembles

Sineru ancestral shaman

Sip« flute

Sirha a mediator between spirit and human

Skandapuranam puranic stories of Lord Murukan

Soang collective name of both Kaipi and Kaiba Bhamboo

Sosha rabbit

Sparsha touch

Stambha pillar or post

Sthalapuranas puranic stories describing the origin of important temples

in Tamil Nadu

Suan a variety of millet

Sud chain and necklace with colourful beads

Suddha pure

Sunggao all kinsmen of one’s mother

Sunnah Islamic traditions and practices introduced by Prophet

Muhammad

Suong loi the act of freeing a small chicken ritually as substitute of

an ailing person

Suroti starting time of Diwad festival

Susari/Murgi Pakoa assistant of village priest who cooks sacrificed chickens

Syiem chief

Ta sha knowledge of chants

Taam materials for making sauce or relish

Taari toddy, liquor made from the sap of palm tree

Tadodev ancestral deity from in-laws’ side

Taju story

Tal cymbal

Tali Waddar's word for mangala sutra (necklace tied in

bride's neck to give the status of wife)

Talla a type of trumpet

Taluka a revenue division comprising a group of villages

Talukdar proprietor of the land responsible for tax collection

Tami the term given to Tibetans by the Mithu section

Tamro assistant

Taniya rituals

Tano labour exchange

Tanr upland

Tapilubo taking head of enemy in traditional warfare

Tapwan process of dropping holy water

Tarawad a descent group of a matrilineal family living in a house

and owning property jointly

TaroiGang presiding deity in the land of death

Tatkha mango

Taveez amulet

Tekhukete the Angami ritual of men striking a dead tiger with spears

Tekhumiave weretiger in Angami

Tekhutheno-u Angami word to refer to the person who injures a tiger

during hunting

Tendu Diospyrosmelanoxyion

Tengngai eating new food

Terhase the Angami ritual of establishing peace with the spirits

Terhunyi Angami harvest festival

Thaen honey

Thala month of June

thayathu energised talisman in cylindrical shape

Thehou community house of the Angamis

Thekadar/Thikkedar contractor

Thekra the practice of earning by the Angami boys by working in

the fields collectively

Thekranyi Angami feast of the age groups performed out of their

earnings

Thempu village priest

Thena a day when the Angamis do not do anything except

working in their fields

Thenpung an area marked for traditional games and sports

Thingphalla forest deity

Thiru kovilgal historical monumental temples

Thisamphanit the festival of the departure of the soul of the dead

Tholkappiam an ancient Tamil literature

Thumia a circular string or metal ring around the waist of a

Bonduni, to which the ringa (short skirt) is attached

Thupi shelter

Tiemvukie a pre-harvest Angami ritual

Tikhilgunda rice powder/flour

Tilak mark of sandal wood past, vermilion or other paste on

forehead

Ting Gwag Rain god

Tingkao Ragwang The Supreme God of the

TRC group

Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak revival religion with belief in

Tingkao RagwangTingpi lam from the north

Tingteila one string lyre

Tingwang supreme being in Hamai religion

Tithi dates based on the Vedic Hindu calendar

To thro bamboo shavings

Todu the Idu Mishmis

Toilla oil

Tokna a ritual process in Dandakatta in which conversation

takes places between the performer and participant

Tonlo Tibetans/outsiders

Toon ngai propitiating rituals for ancestors

Trishul trident

Tubu Yang the earth mother

Tubul head of the

tuchasTucha family helpers

Tuna Gaan ngai the third day of Chakan Gaan ngai

Ucharal the ritual connected with the belief of menstruating earth

Upa genealogical head of a clan or tribe or family

Uruli/hulu huli sound made with tongue

Usna rice from boiled paddy

Uyus evil spirits who make people ill

Vaishnavism belief and practices related to Lord Vishnu/Krishna

Val name, form, figure and qualities

Vali sacrifice

Vanvasi forest dwellers

Vari vara birds of all kinds; related to nature

Varivara god

Varivaralikaphaning mi those who believe in god

Varnashrama structure of society based on four major occupations that

gave rise to casteism

Verandah usually a roofed place along outside of the house

Vohpi maikem/Dekon slanted skull of female pig

Voli Yerikula’s word for bride

Voo the spirit Angamis propitiate at the seed sowing ritual

Yah funeral ritual

Yaku wife

Yong mother

Yu rice beer

Yupa Kashtha sacrificial post

Zamindar a landlord/land owner

Zingungleng creator and preserver of the whole universe

Zongumei an evil spirit

Zou pan libation of rice beer

Zu traditional rice beer