It is sad to note that taking the advantage of the poverty of the Mishing community in Majuli, Dhemaji and Jonai, numerous Mishing families are been converted to Christianity by opportunistic Christian missionaries. I am an ordinary citizen and can do nothing. As such I thought of writing this letter to your newspaper so that I might create an awareness among the Mishing tribe of Assam.
I would request my community members to learn from the mistake of our neighbouring states of Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram where inspite of having seperate states, the tribes have lost their identity.
Our own traditions are no way inferior to the rich Vatican City or Pope. The poverty in Mishing councils is because of the corrupt politicians among us like Bharat Narah, Bhuban Pegu etc., not our customs, beliefs and rituals.
Missionaries can give us money and English education, but cannot return our identity when it will be lost by following Christian rituals and alien traditions in our day-to-day lives.
If religion is lost, heritage is lost. When heritage is lost, identity is lost.
It is time influential socio-cultural organizations of the Mishings, our students' union and Mahila samitis launch rigorous awareness drive among the gullible Mishings or the Mishings will go 'missing' from the cultural map of Assam.
PermalinkSubmitted by Md Akhtar Hussain on Tue, 22/07/2008 - 22:36
I am a student of religion and going to do M-Phil on Mishing tribes. I belong to Assam but studying in Delhi. I need help on behalf of this tribe.
The article is good.
PermalinkSubmitted by Sanchali Sutradhar on Tue, 28/07/2009 - 02:19
I am a student of media tech. as i am doing a assignment for my culture and society i have choosen mishing culture.So i have many friends who are mishing so if you can help me through e-mail than please help me how to get the information.thank you
PermalinkSubmitted by pranab doley on Thu, 21/01/2010 - 03:56
Thanks atleast you are concerned about 'losing our own identity'. Sir, I agree with you completely and would be very thankful to you if you help me as I am currently going to do a research on the issue of conversion of misings.
thanking you
Pranab Doley (TISS, Mumbai).
PermalinkSubmitted by lanaya pegu on Sat, 20/02/2010 - 00:39
I think the problem addressed here is not very precise. Do you mean the ethnicity or the religious? In whichever you mean if my understanding is not wrong our original religion is supposedly donyi-polo and most of us are a adopted Hinduism over some generations back, so what does it make us? Do we go back to worshipping the sun and the moon or what we have over the years progressed in civilization and accepted our own democratic and secular views of whatever religion we follow or even not follow. Is not that a sort of moral policing and too much intervention on someone's private space of belief?? I mean lets plainly accept that people have their own choice and change of religion has very little to do with our ethnicity think it is just the mindset of some orthodoxy that actually poses the problem if I am to give my opinion and change is the very necessity of life and so is identity. but religion is not an identity it is an individuals own choice of belief and perhaps it should be a private and personnel thing not a community thing. Hope this message is taken with a positive note in which I have wished to express.
PermalinkSubmitted by Peter Pegu on Fri, 02/04/2010 - 22:08
Christian people all over the world have maintained their own culture and traditions. British, French,German, Russian, Indian all have their own culture despite considerable Christian population. Religion has nothing to do with cultural identity. Rather,Christianity encourages acculturation, which means adoption of local culture as a part of Christian ethos.
We do not understand, how Nagas, Khasis, Mizos have lost their identity? Their culture is intact in the eyes of the world views.
PermalinkSubmitted by Uttam Doley on Tue, 08/06/2010 - 20:46
Thanks. There is somebody like me what i believe. As you are absolutely right; losing our own identity.If religion is lost, heritage is lost. When heritage is lost, identity is lost and if identity is lost everything is lost.
So, let us join hands to prevent these misleader.
Thanking you
PermalinkSubmitted by nirupoma kardong on Wed, 25/08/2010 - 20:43
Thanks Rongmon for your article.I am an student of cultural studies in tezpur university and i am really worried about our mishing tribes converting into christainity especially in majuli.But i am glad becouse atleast some of our ages are alert.
Nirupoma Kardong
Tezpur University
PermalinkSubmitted by Prafulla mili on Mon, 30/08/2010 - 07:36
I am a student of Dibrugarh university,i am agree with your comment but not satisfy at all bcoz I think now a days our people have almost lost our identy.About which culture and relision you are asking, the celebration of Assamese Bihu or worshiping of Hindus gods and many other Assamese culture which are not our original identity.
PermalinkSubmitted by Raktim on Mon, 30/08/2010 - 12:35
There many elements of Mising culture which has influenced what you term 'Assamese Bihu'. The 'Assamese'-ness of this dance is an amalgamation of numerous styles of dancing Bihu in Assam.
Its unfortunate for the people of Assam that we have not been able to evolve and accept our creations nor do we assert our claims to a dance form. This type of 'ours' and 'theirs' has pushed us to an Africa where nothing common has sufaced a yet. Already lobbies of different communities from other states of India have successfully divided the people of Assam with the stupid question like 'defining the Assamese'. We were a far happy people before 1947. The British never divided us in these lines like ethnicity.
PermalinkSubmitted by Rongmon Pegu on Mon, 30/08/2010 - 19:47
It is sad to know that Prasanta Mili terms the composite Bihu of the people of Assam as 'Assamese Bihu' and demarcates it differently. Actually it is not his fault either.
We are product of a generation which is divided on ethnic lines. Since 1985 Assam Accord, the Indian mainstream has divided the Assamese peoples into several fragments. We were a happy and better people before the faulty Assam Accord. The gesture where the female dancers place both their hands on the sides of their waists is an influence of Mising Bihu on the so called 'Assamese' Bihu (I would prefer to term it as 'Composite Bihu'.
PermalinkSubmitted by Arindom Prince ... on Mon, 25/10/2010 - 05:49
MISHING,(MIRI)the second largest community of North-east Assam.Which belong to schedule tribes but it's so deplorable that, there is no any development status about the Mishing communities. Althoug it's a colorful traditional and multi-culture customs like ( Ali-ai-ligang) crop harvesting festivel,porag,Dobir Uoi(Sun)Dodgang ,Mibu Abang etc,,and some of folk songs like oi:nitom,Anuni:tom, Gumrag (Traditonal songs and dance)Otherhand, some of delightful and flowerful dresses ie.Ege-gasor ladies wear, (Mibu-Galup)(Ugon) gents wear which is made by every Mishing Women and young girls.etc..
PermalinkSubmitted by neepa choudhury on Fri, 31/12/2010 - 06:09
dear rongmon,u r absolutely correct.i m doing research on various tribes of assam and is absolutely spellbound by the rich and distinctive and definitely beautiful culture of each ethnic group.i m grateful to rahibala dale and mr dale from guwhati to make me understand a lot about the rich mishing culture.but its sad that people from their own community are adopting other cultures.but exceptions are there like our very young robin pegu whos working a lot for preserving the mishing culture.i m a bengali and always feel proud to say dat.thus i request all dat they can find heaven in their own culture and should dedicate themselves in preserving its richness rather than pushing it towards extinction
PermalinkSubmitted by Vox Populi on Fri, 31/12/2010 - 15:44
The tradition of APONG (rice beer) has made the men of Mising community very lazy, especially in villages. You will find them under the influence of Apong, and all work has to be done by the womenfolk.
PermalinkSubmitted by TRISHA RANI DAS on Tue, 26/04/2011 - 17:59
I do agree with you. But to me in the name of securing identity we should not lost our unity. We want a single ASSAM, where every indigenous people could live with dignity and fraternity.------
TRISHA RANI DAS.
DIBRUGARH UNIVERSITY.
PermalinkSubmitted by Md. Akhtar Hussain on Tue, 10/05/2011 - 21:28
The best way of preserving any religion, culture and identity is to create awareness amongst the respective community. Though there are some organisations of the Misings but religious awareness amidst is not up to the mark. During my field study in Majuli it has been found that leaders of the community are not as much concerned as compare to the other religion. The more you work on this issue more you get positive result. Mising is a wonderful tribe having rich culture and heritage. I am impressed by it and committed to work in this regard.
PermalinkSubmitted by Priyanka on Fri, 31/10/2014 - 15:53
Absolute rubbish!!... like many of you have said above that religion has nothing to do with culture, I agree with you. A person's choice of belief is his own right. No one can take that away.
PermalinkSubmitted by Akash Taye on Sat, 05/09/2015 - 08:46
It doesn't sounds good to claim religion as a culture or identity..it has nothng to do with culture or identity,it's a person's own spiritual right of belief,one has no right to deprive one's own beliefs.we should carefully study anything in the right direction,just imagine brother,what would be the consequences of the effects of changing someone's belief..Rather we ought to focus on humanism, unity and peace,not on religions...giving some bread to the hunger people is not wrong..None can force one to convert,it's one's own personal rights.. Many wel to do rich mishing people are also christians..dear bro,my question is that did they get any privileges or opportunity?Many educated people are Christians,if u think unprivileged people are converting alone then why those who are educated and rich converting themselves.The only answer is he/she finds peace in them..i hope u won't take in negative sense..to discuss the matter u can contact me at 8812099720 by whatsap Ur article is a painful matter of discussion..Thank u b d way
PermalinkSubmitted by Dhiren on Wed, 25/01/2017 - 13:51
The Hindus robbed the culture and identity of the Misings and Christianity now is trying to re establish its name and identity. Mr. Rongmon, don't be manipulated by the Hindu Fundamentalism. They are trying to remove our tribal rights and reservations. Judge before you say.
5 Dec 2014 - 12:44pm | Hantigiri Narzary
Kokrajhar based Journalist Jaiklong Brahma was released on bail from Kokrajhar Jail on Thursday. He was arrested by Kokrajhar Police on September 2, 2014. The family members, relatives,...
14 Jun 2017 - 6:48pm | Mowsam Hazarika
The Union Cabinet has approved the Interest Subvention Scheme (ISS) for farmers for the year 2017-18 to help farmers get short term crop loan up to Rs. 3 lakh payable within one year at only 4% per...
17 Feb 2014 - 2:45pm | AT News
Assam Congress is gearing up for the women and youth empowerment rally in Guwahati slated for February 25.Senior party leaders at a meeting in Koinadhora on Sunday night resolved to make it a huge...
17 Jan 2009 - 10:53pm | Bikash Das
Kamalpur Police today apprehended one ULFA cadre namely Khargeswar Kalita (22) from Panitema village under Kamrup district. Police launched an operation acting on specific information and nabbed the...
Security forces are spreading tentacles to nab the ULFA militants who are unleashing terror in Sivasagar town with a powerful blast that killed one person on Monday evening.
Ten others have been injured in the blast who were rushed to the hospital. The injured have been identified as Krishna Sahu, Prakash Yadav, Arun Dey, Hari Sahu, Sadhu Khan.
The blast took place amid a simmering war of words between ULFA’s anti-talk faction and superintendent of police.
The controversy erupted on Sunday when body of a local youth was found in Sonari. Police claimed it a handiwork of ULFA. ULFA’s anti-talk faction on Monday held SP Akhilesh Singh responsible for the incident.
NO...
Fellow Citizens of Bharatvarsha and Friends, Hari Om.
You might think this opening statement a pompous beginning to this evening’s proceedings, but as we go along I will endeavour to explain how this is one of the most illuminating ways to address one’s people and how that light shone in Assam over 500 years ago and its effulgence burns to this day in the hearts and minds of every Assamese.
It is this spirit of enlightenment that we would like to present and radiate not just here, but throughout India, and to every corner of the globe where human and sincerely secular values have a meaning.
In all my life, this is perhaps my proudest moment. At a time when Assam burns...
One person was killed and ten others have been seriously injured when ULFA militants exploded a powerful bomb in Sivasagar town on Monday only to make their presence felt.
The explosion took place with a huge sound at around 9 in the evening near the Central Market. The bomb was believed to have been planted at a motor cycle which exploded when the spot was teeming with people. Security forces arrived in the spot. One person died on the spot. The injured have been rushed to the Sarma Nursing Home and some of these people have been rushed to the Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh. On the other hand, security forces have cordoned off the entire area in the town launching an operation to...
Krishna Kanta Handique Open University is gearing up for introduction of post graduate courses in a number of subjects from 2012-13 academic session. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati on Monday, open varsity’s vice chancellor Srinath Baruah said that these new courses include sociology and linguistic on semester system. According to him, the open varsity would impart training to the newly recruited teachers.
Hundreds of Assam Youth Congress and National Students Union of India activists hit the streets in Guwahati on Monday demanding immediate deportation of Bangladeshi immigrants. The protesters said that they wont rest until and unless the immigrants are flushed out. They further alleged that BJP was trying to divide the people in the name of religion and ethnicity. APYC president Piyush Hazarika said that BJP and BJYM were trying to extract political mileage from the immigrants issue.
The opposition Asom Gana Parishad on Monday alleged that FDI in retail would leave lakhs of youths unemployed in Assam. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati, party president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta feared that FDI in retail would completely destroy local outlets where lakhs of youths are engage. He said that it would be a shocking chapter in a state like Assam where there is hardly anything to be called industrialization.
The overall flood situation remains unchanged. Toll has gone upto 9 where over ten lakh people rendered homeless in 16 districts. The water level of the Brahmaputra and its tributaries are still rising. Three children drowned in a boat mishap at Makum near Sadiya in Tinsukia district last night while NDRF rescued 42 others. Two others died each in Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts and one each in Sibsagar and Nalbari on Sunday. The worst affected districts are Baksa, Barpeta, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat, Kamrup (rural and metro), Lakhimpur, Morigaon, Nagaon, Nalbari, Sibsagar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia.
Asom Gana Parishad on Monday strongly criticized Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for his Japan trip at a time when the state is reeling under devastating flood waves. Talking to reporters in Guwahati, party president Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said that Gogoi is making a habit to stay abroad in the time of crisis. He further demanded more central funds for relief and rehabilitation of the flood-hit people.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday ordered deployment of helicopters and mechanised boats to step up rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit areas.
Gogoi in his telephonic conversation from Tokyo asked revenue minister Prithibi Majhi, water resources minister Rajib Lochan Pegu and Chief Secretary Naba Kumar Das to efficiently deal with the rescue and relief operations. He further ordered adequate food materials be supplied to the affected areas.
The Electronic Media Forum Assam (EMFA) has announced the third EMFA awards to be held in the second half of January 2013 in the city. The exclusive media forum for the television journalists and non-journalist employees has also invited entries for the 3rd EMFA Media Awards 2012.
Addressing the reporters in Guwahati Press club today morning the EMFA has also informed that the entries for the annual awards should be telecast between 1st January 2012 and 31st December 2012 through the television channels and those must reach the office of EMFA (c/o Guwahati Press Club, Ambari, Guwahati-781001) by January 7, 2013. The awards will be given in 16 categories comprising on specific reporting,...
Comments
Absolute rubbish!!... like
<p>It doesn't sounds good to
The Hindus robbed the culture
Pages
Add new comment