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The Hangmi(milhem)kuki
The Hangmis or also known as Milhems like their other Kuki brethen trace their line to the chin-kuki-mizo-zomi family. they share a common linguistic and cultural affinity with them.The other version revolves within the faith of emergence of their forefathers out of a cave, according to which they are known as Khulmi (Khul=cave, mi=man). But they could not recount reminiscences about the exact location of the legendary cave. Yet they identify themselves as having a distinct genelogical line which they maintain it elusively against the dominant groups of the kuki and Zomi groups, Oral tradition say that Pu Milhem/Hangmi (which they like themselves to be identified as ) Along with Pu shongthu open the great door to cross over to the upper world , As oral tradition say that Pu Hangmi/Milhem dress in phoipi (local dialect) and arm with a sword and head gear ,hand in hand with Pu Shongthu kill the great snake which guard the cave opening and thus open the doorway for all their Brethen in Noimigam( local dialect) to cross over to the chung gam(local dialect) . legend had it Pu Hangmi or Milhem had a faithful dog along with him .
Hangmi Milhem :
This group of the chin-kuki-mizo-zomi broadly consist of Lupho ,Ngailut(ngoliu) , lupheng ,Lhanghal and Misao. Of which there are dozens of Sub-clan .like Haosoh in case of lupho . and shinghil in Misao .As legend had it they once at a time had a close association with Thilate (ghost ) and were strong and mighty and there was none to compare with them during those period . but as become powerful and mighty in due course of time their relation with the Thilate bacame strain . and so they started killing them legend had it that they nearly kill them all . in return the Thilate in due course of time take revenge and nearly kill them all unless for the Sivaikemnu who had save a single person of the Hangmi/milhem pedegree . so this is why their population is small and till today it is said that due to the curse of thilate they could not multiply in large number .and it said that this is the reason why they are not populous.
Lusai connection :
Oral tradition say that in the Village (now in present Burma) rule by Pu Hangmi Or Milhem ,The maid of the Chief house conceived a Boy from the Chief of the City, so to hide his misadventure the Chief left the Boy in the jungle and called upon all the Citizen of the village to go for Village Hunting so he carefully led the villagers to the route where he laid the child and he led his group towards the side and on reaching the spot he proclaim that he had found a child born of the wild Deer . and brought him home and made a grand celebration This was how the Sailo was born ..
so till present day the Hangmi's/Milhems do not accept the fact that Sailo is their elder Brother .
Present state :
The Hangmi at present scattered all across Manipur , Assam , Nagaland and Mizoram of which they are believe to be mostly concentrated in Manipur -NORTH EASTERN STATE OF INDIA .Due to their weak political and economic condition many got assimilated and absorbed in other clan or group namely Kom, Maring,Anal, Lamkang . Paite, Vaiphei and Khongsai .etc . ..of which some of this group make it a basis to called them their own because of the presence of the assimilated members .which elders and intellectual of the Hangmi/Milhem counter claim it .
Folklore :
Legend had it that Lhangeineng who was the most beautiful and charming lady , the Daughter of Pu Hangmi or milhem during the great flood that submerge all land save the people . As the water level was rising high the water echo the name Pho ..Pho . . . . .pho....so every in dair strain reach out for what it was and later came to know that the God's of the water had been calling upon Ni(local dialect)Lhangeineng , they realise that therGod's of water were calling for sacrifice of Pu Hangmi Eldest Daughter, so all went in search of her and found her being hide by her parents .Legend had it that her beauty enchant everything around her . ... so on fervent request and prayer of all to save them Ni Lhangaineng gave herself up to the god's of the water . so after that the flood receed after the sacrifice of ni Lhangeineng , so after the flood was over Both Hangmi and his wife went out in search of their belove daughter so it was said that the place where Pu Hangmi and his mistress tear fall became salt pond . and chillies ..and Lhangeineng turn into fish . ..so they said that they should meet ... so it is believe that Hangmi/Milhem are taboo to eat salt,chillies and fish ...
Legend also had it that the Hangmi/Milhem during their settlement in Thngjing hill situated in the Present Moirang subdivision of Manipur, India.:
After their moved through different regions of Burma from Upper Burma across the Chindwin Basin Hill and then into the Lushai Hills and finally Manipur through Churanchandpur district. Thy settle in the elsewhile thangjing hills ,were greatly blessed by the Thingjing diety ..who blessed them with Brave and Mighty son's and beautiful Daughter they were so prosperous and strong . . their historic dominace in Thangjing hill ws an eye sore to the neighbouring Moirang kingdom . became envy of them , they wage a war against them . .. so during the course of repeated invasion and war they were defeted by the Moirang king at the place called "Phubala"
which literally means " Revenge" which still exist till today . and many were take captive and kill while others had to leave the place .and so they were force to leave Moirang and adjoining areas
Administration :
Each Hangmi village has a legitime authority and administration headed by the village chief called kho Hausa , which is a hereditary post , The chief is the owner of the land and the forest of a certain area in that locality. The land is divided amongst the willing tillers. They have to give the chief a certain portion of paddy as tax. If the forest produce is utilized by any villager in his area then the user will have to pay the tax.The kho Hausa (cheif) is the assisted by group of council members called semang pachong . ( elders and nobles of the village)the councils members are head of every post in the administrative unit of the village. Lhangsampu is the village crier and he is responsible for informing the villagers on all matters.
Every dispute is tried in the Housa-Inpi, (village court) by the chief and nobles .
occupation :
Their economy is mostly agrarian, Main occupation of argiculture is practice through both jhum and shifting cultivation apart from it they also practice wet cultivation. the practice a rotary system called "LOM" by which villagers (youth in particular) in group work for one another too reduce the burden of work.and to shoulder on those vilage members which have few members in the family .
Religion :
Before the advent of christinity in the 90's, they were Animist and believe in a supreme diety called Pathen . they also practice the worship of family God called "Doibom " which every villlage house hold has and posses . and sacrifices were made under the instruction and presence of Village Priest called Thempu . The priest is the religious head of the vilage and is widely respected . At pesent all have accepted the christian faith .
Apart from many others festival they also celebrate a festival called Chavang Kut .Post harvest festival by erecting selkhom . after a certain of years as a symbol of prosperity and power for the village and the villge chief in particular ..
Society :
They practice a patriarchal socety. Many subdivision and subclan exist. traditionally each clan is headed by its eldest called Oupa , the head of the family is the father. and both boys and girl inherit the father clan name. the eldest son in the family inherits his father property .
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