The Origin and Migration Movement of the Naga’s of Chandel & Tengnoupal (Khurmi)

The pre-historic life of the Khurmi Naga people is marked by a mythological place called ‘Khurdong’ (‘Lower World’). Most of the scholars believed that they migrated from the cave (‘Khur’), believed to be somewhere in ancient Mongolia located in central Asia and their first settlement was at ‘Siijuur’,1 and the cave for the Chothe Naga is known as ‘Huiphithoranga’2, ‘Khurpii’3 for Lamkang Naga, and ‘Tukleikhur’4 for the Tarao Naga. Like many tribes of the world, the origin of Khurmi Naga people is surrounded by numerous myths and legends. In the pre-historic people were associated with a place and time when they were able to communicate with birds and animals as an object of brethren. According to L. Thumthung PDT, during the innocent period, it is said that all the birds of the earth, birds of the air and the creeping animals were living together with the human beings. Whenever human beings suffered from cold weather and were not able to bear it they drew near the animals in order to get heat from them and warm themselves up. However, when cruel company of people from amongst the human beings began to kill, eat and make use of their skins for clothes, the animals with each kind departed from the human beings. Soon after the animals had departed, the cruel company of people turned their cruel nature towards the good ones. Since then, the cruel and good peoples were separated. Hence, the cruel ones were known as ‘CHAMANGS” (Giants) and the good ones “PAKANS’. Enmity between them thus grew up day-by-day. The might of the ‘CHAMANGS” (Giants) was: to spell magic to kill good people; to direct its evil eyes on the food of the people and make them sick or even die. Further, the giants (‘CHAMANGS”) direct its evil eyes whenever good things of others are seen and make them eaten by moths. The giant also direct its eyes on handsome or beautiful persons and kill them thereafter. They kill animals, rats and birds when pointing out at them with their fingers. They also roam about at night with their fingers lightening. The giants usually like to eat raw meats and fishes. In this way, it became severe for the ‘PAKANS’ (good peoples) to live with the ‘CHAMANGS’ (giants), as the later has eaten them up. Each tribes of dialectical (languages) groups then consulted among themselves and deserted the giant (‘CHAMANGS’) and migrated towards the hills to escape from deluge. The ‘PAKANS’ (good peoples) used to eat cook foods. The PAKANS (good peoples) of those days were said to be whom we now known them as: Anal, Chothe, Khoibu, Lamkang, Maring, Moyon, Monsang, and Tarao.5 Thus, PAKANS could be define as a tribesmen.