THE BRU (RIANG) TRIBE AND
THEIR ERSWHILE BELIEF OF RELIGION
1. NAME OF THE COMMUNITY
There are various clans among the BRU (Riang) community consisting of 13 in numbers which forms into one an unique community that we called ourselves as BRU.
No doubt that the name of the Riang itself can't cover the whole tribe as Riang is a clan which is part of the BRU (Riang) community. Hostorically the Riang is the youngest clan as noted in the list of the customary laws and practices of the BRU (Riang) tribe living in the southeast Asia continent.
It may be mentioned that the aforsaid different clans of BRU (Riang) are as under:
(1)Molshoy, (2)Meska, (3)Msha, (4)Apeto, (5)Chorkhy, (6)Raikchauh, (7)Chongpreng, (8)Wairem, (9)Nouhkham, (10)Toimoi, (11)Yakcho, (12)Yauhstam and (13)Riang.
The formation of the BRU (Riang) community according to mythology it has been bifurcated into two as M0LSHOY & MESKA and both of them two are the first generation of BRU (Riang). The other clans are decendants according to the mythical point of view.
In the context of mythical fact, it has vividly revealed the system of kingship prominently known as KAINGSKAU RAJA who had been represented from the youngest clan of RIANG. From the inception of the rule of ancient KAINGSKAU dynasty it was by mistake introduced the RIANG clan as the name of the particular community therein recognised by the constitution of India.
It may also be noted that the BRU (Riang) are belonging to SOIJO BONGSI, MALA DORA, the sons of the Sun God and systematically ruled by the king from one generation to another.
2. THE LANGUGE OF THE BRU (RIANG) COMMUNITY
The language of the BRU (Riang) community is called 'KAUBRU'. It is existing till this hour to witness the origins of KAUBRU which is on the part of Tibeto Barman sub-family. The speakers of KAUBRU are mostly populated in the state of Tripura, Mizoram and Assam. In the real sense of the term there is no KAURIANG (Riang language) separately that the 13 clans as a whole are the speaker of KAUBRU.
To this extent, it is also learn that a very few population are with blind faith and optimism assuming the BRU (Riang) themselves speakers KOKBOROK; and apparently this was because of the absence of substantiation of the origin of KAUBRU. However, there is a similarity of KAUBRU and KOKBOROK, at least 60% which can there of communicable of the two groups of speakers. The affinity of the speakers of KAUBRU and KOKBOROK may radically sharing a common ancestry and analogically in Tripura we could consider as the cognate tribe.
3. THE UNIQUE OF THE BRU (RIANG)
The ethnic tribe of BRU (Riang) has an unique in nature; and to slice and dice for more information it is hereby noted as follows:
(1)Language, (2)Traditional attire, (3)Dance, (4)Traditional food, (5)Traditional song, (6)Traditional Music, (7)Custom, (8)Culture, and (9)Religious belief.
The Physical apearance of the BRU (Riang) community looks the other tribals of Norteast India alike, and are mainly dependents of shifting jhum caltivation.
4. THE RELIGION OF BRU (RIANG)
The cult and creed of the BRU (Riang) and their religion iscalled SOITO SONATON DORMO based on the margins of the mythical annals of BRU (Riang). It was in fact that the ancestors follow up this reverendly in the service of the BRU (Riang) community. However, the intercial marriage and assimilation of identity by dominant tribes has thus almost overwhelmed the masses of the new generation of BRU (Riang) society.
As a result, the BRU (Riang) society is now mingled with the mainstream culture and gradually converted to the dominant religions.
In reference to the customary laws and practices of the BRU (Riang), both the religion and custom equally enacted to it. The God of Sonaton and its motif is called SALAMPATA. It has not been offered to ROKTOBOLI typically a bloody sacrifices with some kind of domesticated animals.
Essentially a bunch of flowers along with the species so called SMAIKRY are served. The God of Sonaton (SONATON ISOR) and Goddess Laxmi (MAINOUHMA) have been solemnly worshipped thereto it was changed to defeat the wicked and to preserve the religion on several occasions. The God of Sonaton by his devine power changed from one generation to another that its incarnation and the motives are as cited below:
The Goddess of land is called PURTHIMMA,
The Goddess of food is called MAINOUHMA,
The Goddess of water is called TOIBUMA,
The Goddess of clothes is called KHUNOUHMA,
The Goddess of wisdom is called SOROSOTI.
The Soito Sonaton Ram Mondoly (S.S.R.M.) is therefore, strick to the radical belief notably the SONATON DORMO as there is one God quite opposite to nihilism.
5. HOW SOME OF THE BRU (RIANG) ABANDONED THE ANCIENT BELIEF OF RELIGION
There was no written record of history in the society and this has become a very difficult to trace the myriads of events especially to know the date and place of the past.
However, a frequent naration of folk-tale among the BRU (Riang) community. The mythology shows how SONATON DORMO was performing the rituals rightly over the past of so called the period of SATYA YUGA.
During the TRETA YUGA period, it was accustomed to practice the ROKTOBOLI sucrificing with the blood of domesticated animals. With the passage of time, it has been continued to practice the same in the wake of DVAPARA YUGA and KALI YUGA by a majority of BRU (Riang) population.
As the latest period of KALI YUGA come into existence, unexpectedly many a men and women of BRU (Riang) converted to Christianity and other major religions. As such, the culture, custom and identity of the BRU (Riang) get losing it at this point of time.
6. THE REASON OF HOW THE BRU ABNEGATED THE RADICAL BELIEF OF SONATON DORMO
Landlessness has caused to embrace the majority community and their belief that the BRU (Riang) cast off its origin of religion.
The absence of educational institution which has outright compelled to follow from the childhood to what is regularly practiced in the education centre.
Extreme poverty and foodless hunger has also caused to abdicate the belief in Sonaton Dormo where it is most necessary to comply with other religions as the hungers need to eat the food for their life saving.
7. PRESERVATION OF SONATON DORMO BY BRU (RIANG)
In accordance with the instruction and direction of Shri Monuram Molshoy Moni on 14th January 1990 the Sonaton Dormo could pave the way for progressiveness of religious affairs.
In fact, Shri Monuram Molshoy Moni the President of VHP Shri Ashok Singhal on the occasion of Sanatan Darma Sarmilan at Agartala, Tripura on 8th March 2001 in consultation with Shri Swami Kripalananda Giri Maharaj and received/acknowledged a letter of recognition.
In the aftermath of acknowledging the recognition letter; the temple had been constructed in various places and all these efforts was made by SOITO SONATON RAM MONDOLY (S.S.R.M).
The God of Sonaton could be worshipped and its temple is called RAM MONDRY.
The question arises in this regard is that the belief in one God of Sonaton, and how the place of worship is called RAM MONDRY?
It may be mentioned that the Lord Ram had preserved and safeguarded the Sonaton Dormo during the period of TRETA YUGA in the forms of the God of Sonaton. He was opined to be the Lord Krishna as well.
However, In the pre-history of the Bru (Riang) community the Lord Krishna wasn't mentioned to be having the devine power of Goodness called SOITO. It was indeed that the Lord Ram was said to be having the little of Goodness that the SOITO SONATON RAM MONDOLY (S.S.R.M) and the place of worship is called RAM MONDRY.
8. THE IMPORTANT DAY OF WORSHIPING IN A WEEK BY S.S.R.M.
(1) Wednesday's day and night, (2) Tuesday night, (3) Saturday night. It has been worshipped in the temple of Ram Mandir with full outfit of traditional attire.
During the worship usually it has been arranged for praising the God and the holy words of God.
9. THE HOLY DAY OF S.S.R.M.
SONATON BOISU: January 14th and 15th in every year. In remembrance of the discovery of Sonaton Dormo every year it has been maintained on regular basis. In the temple of Ram Mandir it was arranged to offer SMAIKRY followed by a feast the whole day.
- GBENGKTAIH NI SMAIKRY: The first Saturday of March in the month in every year it was offered SMAIKRY to get preservation from the deadly diseases.
- SIRIPHAIMO SAL: 8th March of every year in solemn celebration of acknowledging recognition of SOITO SONATON DORMO. Besides, it is also most importantly remembering the priest Moni of his tille was well inform on the earth.
- DASI SALKTOR: 14th-15th April of every year, it is observed by S.S.R.M. for moral correctional reformatory.
- SALAMPATA BAJUMO SAL: 21st May of every year is observed by S.S.R.M. which is called the tree of life what God has given us for peaceful lives. This SALAMPATA was cast off many decades but fortunately Shri Monuram Molshoy Moni has animated the perspective and thus it is yearly observed.
- MONI ACHOUHMO SAL: The 29th August of the year is an important for observing in remembrance of offering a blessing from Sonaton Moni.
- MAINOUHMA SALKTOR : In every full-moon in the month of October (Purnima) it is observed. This is opined to be the shadow of God. It is worshipped every year by offering Smaikry to the Goddess Mainouhma.
10. THE LEADERS OF SOITO SONATON RAM MONDOLY (S.S.R.M)
The certain leaders of SSRM are as follows:
DASI is the head of village level and Daboing as well.
SICHU & MPHONTO are entrusted for the service in the area.
DORMO GURU. The said Dormo Guru will have the authority over the Mohonto and minister of SSRM.
The priest Moni have the authority over the Dormo Guru and the head of Saby. Saby means the highest administrative body in the central of the Soito Sonaton Dormo.
Encompassing the whole authority of certain leaders; it needs formation of administrative body and accordingly SONATON AINGKHENAI BTHOH YAPHANGTHER (SABY) was unanimously formed.
The head office of Saby is called KRUNGNOUH.
11. THE IMPORTANT ASSEMBLY OF SOITO SONATON RAM MONDOLY
In order to augment SOITO SONATON DORMO, the SSRM has been organized an important assembly in every year which are as under:
S.J.D. YAPRIKAHAM: This assembly was organized for the youth of Sonaton Dormo.
MUJA SOBA: This committee was convened by the Mohonto of Sonaton Dormo in his particular area.
BROIRAU KTHUMKTOR: The committee was organized by a women section of Sonaton.
SICHU MOHONTO KTHUMKTOR: This committee has been organized by Sichu & Mohonto.
SONATON KTHUMKTOR: This is the very important assembly participated by the selected person from every Village of SSRM.
12. THE FORMATION OF SOITO SONATON DORMO
From the year 1990 while in Mizoram the Soito Sonaton Dormo was slowly running it in spite of difficult terrain. Mizoram is the Christian State that we could not openly propagate the Sonaton religion.
Undoubtedly, since October 1997 onward after massive exodus the Sonaton Dormo openly and freely came into existence in the beautiful and peaceful State of Tripura.
13. CONVERSION TO SONATON DORMO
It is convertible for any individual or a group of people to this Sonaton Dormo irrespective of male or female and minor of adult.
The age above 12 need to maintain the process of purification that he or she has to take bathing in case of sanctity; and bellow the age of 12 doesn't required for the same.
14. NONEDIBLE OF SOITO SONATON DORMO
The followers of Soito Sonaton Dormo are strongly restricted so as not practice nonedible for maintaining purify which are as under:
(1) Dog meat, (2) Beef, (3) Monkey meat, (4) Cat meat, (5) Toxicable drinks of alcohol and marijuana- ganja etc.
15. THE PROGRESS OF SOITO SONATON DORMO
At a glance of the Soito Sonaton Dormo Ram Mondoly since from the inception of its mission for the service of the people of Bru ethnic community.
There are remarkable progress in moral, social being, propagation of religion, custom and traditionally. There are some hundreds of people proselytised from Christian to this religion of Soito Sonaton Dormo.
It is a great work that the Lord Ram His sovereign grace poured upon us a blessing abundantly for the Bru (Riang) janajati living in the northeast India.
15. THE MOTHER AND FATHER OF THE BRU COMMUNITY
Indeed, the true mother and father is the earth and the God of Sonaton. The source of treasure is the custom of the earthly mother and whereas, the father of our life is the God of Sonaton. Any individual sticking to the father is the genuine obedient son and who are with the mother as well.
And whosoever relinquished the father and mother are as of now showed the right path to Sonaton Dormo. And all these aspects the SSRM is initiating to make sense for strengthening the foundation.
16. THE DOCUMENT OF THE BRU COMMUNITY
The question arises, what is the document of Bru (Riang) community? It is obvious that the root of document is the custom and religion. These two documents must be handed over to the sons and daughters as a symbol of inheritance. In fact, the radical belief of the Bru (Riang) community is Soito Sonaton Dormo, and essentially the recognition letter was on 8th March 2001 handed to Shri Monuram Molshoy Moni of the S.S.R.M. by Swami Kripalananda Giri Maharaj containing his own signature.
However, the document of the mother BRU CUSTOMARY LAWS as initiated by the Janajati Faith and Culture Protection Forum in the year 2002 is ascertained yet despite the BRU (RIANG) SOMAJI BTHOH had a strongly demand to the State Government of Tripura for approval.
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By Saby Krungnouh
Email: sabykrungnouh@gmail.com
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Kaubru Article