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.
21 Jul 2020 - 10:54pm | AT News
Guwahati: The Guwahati police claimed to have arrested Deepjyoti Gogoi from Sivasagar charging him maligning the image of the government by sharing a fake page of display where CM Sarbananda Sonowal...
5 Jul 2015 - 5:51pm | Hantigiri Narzary
BTC deputy chief Kampa Borogoyary and wel wishers accorded warm welcome and felicitated Laimwn Narzary, gold medalist in the World School Athletics Championship recently held in Wuhan, PR in China at...
9 Oct 2015 - 7:34pm | Hantigiri Narzary
Hundreds of employees of BTC temporary employees staged three dharna in front of DC office in Kokrajhar raising their demand and grievances on Friday. Their demands include steps to regularize...
13 Jul 2015 - 12:58pm | Dibya J Borthakur
Normal road service came to a grinding halt for several hours in Raha when thousands of people blocked the National Highway for not allowing to set up AIIMS in central Assam.With banners and festoons...
Yet another mild tremor jolted Assam on Sunday in the time of flood. The mild tremor of 4.3 struck at 9.55 in the morning creating panic among the people. Panic-stricken people in many flood relief camps started crying in fear. In Guwahati also, a section of the people housing in the high buildings came out to the streets as soon as they came to feel the earthquke.
Assam is in deep grip of the killer Japanese Encephalitis where the toll has gone up to 20. That too in Sivasagar district alone. Over 100 people from the district have been under going treatment in the various hospital. According to reports, cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome are on the rise. The number has shot up to 332 till Saturday. The death toll has touched 50.
The worst-hit districts are Kamrup, Sivasagar, Dhubri, Morigaon, Darrang and Nalbari. Doctors blame it all on the halt in fogging due to the floods and rain. They said that during monsoons, people are more prone to diseases. Government efforts are on to keep the situation under control. Although vaccination is said to...
Congress MLA Rumi Nath and her second husband Jaki Jakir were given medical assistance in Guwahati a day after the duo were mercilessly thrashed by a huge mob in Karimganj. A team of doctors from the Guwahati Medical College Hospital reached their official quarter in Dispur after they were escorted to the capital city on Sunday.
The couple is reported to be out of danger. This is the first instance in the state when a lady MLA was beaten up in public. A strong contingent of police and CRPF forces is guarding Nath and her husband at their MLA quarter in the Dispur. Talking to reporters on Saturday evening Nath alleged that the culprits who had outraged the modesty of a woman should be...
The overall flood condition improves on Saturday following halt in the incessant rains that lashed Assam last week.The situation in Dhemaji, Jorhat,Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia has slightly improved but the major rivers still flowing above the danger level.But the water level in Goalpara and Dhubri districts remained unchanged. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out in the flood affected areas.The government has intensified the relief works across the state. Over 3 lakh 12 thousand people have been sheltered at around 550 camps. This is apart from 200 medical teams along with Mobile Medical Unit.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to visit the state on Monday to take a stock of the situation.According to information, the duo would make an aerial survey across the state during their hurricane visit to the state. Meanwhile, a member of the National Disaster Management Authority on Saturday visited flood affected areas and took stoke of the situation.
Hundreds of Khasi people from Meghalaya staged indefinite hunger strike in Langpih bordering Assam on Saturday. They said that with the strike they want to mount pressure on the government to settle to the long-pending border dispute.The hunger strike was led by a 28-year-old youth from West Khasi Hills district, Pynshkemlang Nongshlong, and actively participated by villagers, including women and children.Meanwhile, the People's Movement, which is spearheading the fight to solve the long pending border dispute with neighbouring Assam, also staged a one-day demonstration here expressing solidarity with the fast unto death agitation by the people at the border.The delegation of the People's...
Rumi Nath and her second husband Jeki Jakir said that the mob attack was a political conspiracy. Addressing a press conference in Dispur on Saturday evening, the couple said that they did not come to see even a single person who hail from Karimganj when they were attacked inside the hotel.
Karimganj district administration on Saturday slammed prohibitory orders under Section 144 a day after Congress MLA from Barak Valley Rumi Nath was beaten up by a hundred-strong mob at a hotel on Friday night. Security forces have been deployed in the vital public places to disperse the mob on the streets for and against the MLA. Hundreds of her supporters blocked the vital roads in the entire district in several places in protest against the incident. The protesters further damaged at least 20 vehicles at the height of the protest. Rumi and her 28-year-old husband Zakir Hussain were hospitalised after the incident. Her personal life has been under the scanner since she left her first...
Former Lok Sabha speaker P.A. Sangma on Saturday pinned hopes on support from the north east political leaders to help him reach the Raisina Hill. Addressing a press conference in Guwahati three days after filing nomination for the presidential post, Sangma said the he want to show the country wants a tribal leader in its helm. He further appealed to the political parties to favour him without any doubt or fear. He is confidence that he would win the presidential elections. He said that he has contested parliamentary elections nine times and legislative assembly elections twice and that he has no record of any defeat. Notably, he receives support from AGP, UDP, Hill State Peoples'...
The two month long kidnap drama in Goalpara district came to a tragic end when police recovered the bodies of two teachers on Sunday more than a month after they were kidnapped along the Assam-Meghalaya border. The bodies of the teachers namely Kamaleswar Rabha and Sarit Rabha on Saturday. They were kidnapped last month from Golpur area of the district. The teachers were kidnapped by local miscreants who shot them dead after their ransom demand was not met.
Comments
Absolute rubbish!!... like
<p>It doesn't sounds good to
The Hindus robbed the culture
Pages
Add new comment