Customs of Kuki Tribe form an integral part of the Kuki society. It largely exhibits the social structure of the Kuki Tribe that resides in Manipur. Customs of Kuki tribe mainly include the ceremonies that begin with a "Child Birth" largely including the Naming ceremony of the child and the ceremony of christening the child which is known as Naopui Ceremony. The ceremony for naming the child and christening the child are normally demarcated as events post the birth of a child which are one of the most auspicious customs of the tribe.
Child Birth Customs of Kuki Tribe
Customs of Kuki Tribe usually include the customs which are followed by the parents of a child who is newly born till he reaches an age of five. These are regarded as the prohibitive activities which are followed by both the father as well as the mother when they go out of the house. According to the customs, the mother is supposed to bid a farewell to the child requesting him or her to remain at home when she is in the field. Every time she is supposed to remain conscious regarding the presence of the child`s soul along with her wherever she goes and as such she is supposed to make a mention of this before and after all her activities so that she does not hurt the child in any way. Similarly, the father of the child too has to remain alert about the presence of the new member in the family whenever he along with his family leaves the household for visiting some other place. In that case the father is more conscious about the security of the child from all evil spirits and makes sure that the child is not left alone. This is mainly done by either applying charred coal or by applying ginger to save the child from all illness and ill feelings.
Child Naming Ceremony of Kuki Tribes
Child Naming Ceremony is one of the most important customs of the Kuki tribe. Among all the contemporary changes, this is one of the customs of Kuki tribes which continue to exist even now. This is a custom which highlights the generation that follows as the second and third generation. Within this the first male child shall be necessarily named after the parental grandfather and the first girl child born in the family shall be named after the grandmother. The third and the fourth child shall be named after the maternal grandparents of the child or may be named after someone else who is very close to the family. This is mainly intended to represent the genealogical background of the child. This is also known as the Alternate Generation Naming System. Since the naming is connected to the persons of earlier generations their relationship is often known by a terminology called `Hepu` or `Hepi` which means the Grandpa or Grandma. The system of naming the child after the names of his grandparents helps the people of the Kuki tribes to create a detailed genealogical tree which shall include the names of the alternate generations.
Naopui Ceremony of Kuki Tribes
Another important custom of the Kuki tribe is the process of purifying the child through rites that are performed by the Thiempu or the priest of the community after a child is born. In this custom, the child is carried by a Becha lady who does not have any physical disability and has a normal way of marriage, one who can be considered as one of the purest as well as respectable lady of the community. She is supposed to carry the child to the maternal uncle or grandparent"s house where this ritual is to take place.
Thus, the customs of the Kuki tribe describe not only the social structure of the community but also the ceremonial life of the people. The customs of Kuki tribe reflects the core belief of the society.
