Between Beast and Man: Sakei and Keimi in Mizo Cosmology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63635/mrj.v2i1.256Keywords:
Mizo, Lycanthropy, Sakei, Keimi, Human-Animal Interaction, SymbolismAbstract
This study explores the multifaceted relations between the Mizo and the sakei (tigers), and to a further extent, the were-tiger called keimi. Focusing on Mizo ethnic groups, the research employs fieldwork interviews as well as re-reading of secondary sources and re-interpretation of oral traditions through a hybrid theoretical lens to examine and reconstruct the human-sakei-keimi interaction and relationship and to examine the Mizo perspective towards such animals. Traditionally, the tiger is regarded as a majestic and merciful creature while also being judgemental towards wrongdoers. The study also explores how the Mizo further strengthen the human-tiger relationship through were-tigers and claims to be a close kin and ancestral lineage that further strengthens the taboos and superstitions as well as their emotional attachment with the tiger, which was different from all other animals. Through its analysis of symbolism, customs, and entanglements, this study underscores the tiger and were-tiger’s role in shaping Mizo cosmology and their perception of the animal world.
Downloads
References
[1] Dokhuma, J. Hmanlai Mizo Kalphung; R. Lalrawna: Aizawl, India, 2023; p. 438.
[2] Viveiros de Castro, E.; Cosmological Deixis and Amerindian Perspectivism. J. R. Anthropol. Inst.1998, 4 (3), 469–488, https://doi.org/10.2307/3034157.
[3] Aiyadurai, A. ‘Tigers are Our Brothers’: Understanding Human-Nature Relations in the Mishmi Hills, Northeast India. Conservation and Society,2016, 14, 305–316, https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-4923.197614.
[4] Jalais, A. Forest of Tigers: People, Politics and Environment in the Sundarbans; Routledge: New Delhi, India, 2010; pp. 146–176
[5] Parry, NE, The Lakhers, Macmillan & Co., London, 1932, pp.110-111.
[6] Hrangchhuana, H.B, Hmar History, Hmar Students' Association Joint Headquarters: Aizawl, India, 1987; p. 18.
[7] Govindrajan, R.Animal Intimacies: Interspecies Relatedness in India’s Central Himalayas; University of Chicago Press: Chicago and London, USA & UK, 2018.
[8] Cohen, J.J., Monster Theory: Reading Culture, 3rd ed.; University of Minnesota Press: Minneapolis, MN, USA, 1996; pp. 154–196, https://doi.org/10.5749/j.ctttsq4d.
[9] Haraway, D.J.,When Species Meet; University of Minnesota Press: Minneapolis, MN, USA; London, UK, 2008; pp. 205–246.
[10] Jalais, A. Forest of Tigers: People, Politics and Environment in the Sundarbans; Routledge: New Delhi, India, 2010; pp. 146–176
[11] Kohn, E.How Forests Think: Toward an Anthropology Beyond the Human; University of California Press: Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA, USA; London, UK, 2013.
[12] Sutter, R. Collective Imagination or Intimate Knowledge of Other Worlds? Tigermen in Nagaland. In Proceedings of the Workshop “Performing Identity: Ethnicity and Ethno‐Nationalism in Northeast India,” Göttingen, Germany, 15–17 December 2011.
[13] Aye, K. Human-Animal Transitions: A Case Study of Sümi Lycanthropy, 2022, https://dialog.puchd.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1.-Human-Animal-Transitions-A-Case-Study-of-Sumi-Lycanthropy-Khesheli-Aye.pdf
[14] Aiyadurai, A. “Tigers are Our Brothers”: Understanding Human–Nature Relations in the Mishmi Hills, Northeast India. Conserv. Soc.2016, 14, 305–316, doi:10.4103/cs.cs_14_305.
[15] Ralte, Lalthansangi, Mizo Myths and Folklore: A Posthumanist Study, Literary Oracle – Vol. 7, Issue II, December 2023, pp. 7786; Available online: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380519688_Mizo_Myths_and_Folklore_A_Posthumanist_Study, (accessed May 2024)
[16] Tribal Research Institute. Mizo Thawnthu. Tribal Research Institute: Aizawl, Mizoram, 1997; pp. 46–49
[17] Viveiros de Castro, E. Cosmological Deixis and Amerindian Perspectivism. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 4 (3), Wiley on behalf of Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland: 469-488, https://doi.org/10.2307/3034157
[18] Govindrajan, R. Animal Intimacies: Interspecies Relatedness in India’s Central Himalayas; University of Chicago Press: Chicago and London, USA & UK, 2018.
[19] Viveiros de Castro, E. Cosmological Deixis and Amerindian Perspectivism. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute 4 (3), Wiley on behalf of Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland: 469-488, https://doi.org/10.2307/3034157
[20] Århem, K. Southeast Asian Animism in Context. In Animism in Southeast Asia; Århem, K., Sprenger, G., Eds.; Routledge: London, UK, 2016; pp. 3–30, https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315660288-2
[21] Fougner, T. Animals and Diplomacy: On the Prospect for Interspecies Diplomacy. International Relations 37, no. 3, 2023; pp. 449–474, https://doi.org/10.1177/00471178231191292.
[22] Kohn, E.How Forests Think: Toward an Anthropology Beyond the Human; University of California Press: Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA, USA; London, UK, 2013.
[23] Jalais, A. Forest of Tigers: People, Politics and Environment in the Sundarbans; Routledge: New Delhi, India, 2010; pp. 72-73.
[24] Shakespeare, J.The Lusei Kuki Clans, Macmillan & Co., London, 1912, p.79.
Downloads
Abstract Display: 54 
PDF Downloads: 55 Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Copyright © Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
