Khla and Kur: An Oral Series On Tiger-Clan Kinships
Mr Wankhar tells us a fascinating story about how his wife’s clan, the Makdohs, could call forth the powers of their ancestral tutelary deity (U Ryngkew U Basa) called ‘Lathari. Whenever the clan was in a situation of fear or crisis, they knew that they could simply invoke (“ban nam”) this tiger-spirit and he would come to their rescue.
Mr Wankhar also reveals that this deity was actually ‘stolen’ from another clan by his wife’s ancestors (Makdoh Pyrtuh). This did not seem to displease the tiger-god however who followed them regardless and soon became as attached to them as their own shadows. It would follow them everywhere from the fields to the marketplace and kept an eye on them while hiding in the background.
‘Lathari safeguarded them throughout their lives and was so intimate with the clan that whenever one of its members died, it would be seen around the pyre (and the deceased’s house), mourning for the one who had passed away.
Kane ka ba phin sngap ka dei tang kawei na bun tylli ki khana kiba pyni ia ka jingiadei kaba jan hapdeng ki kur Hynniewtrep Hynniewskum bad ki khla ha ki por hyndai hynthai.
Sngap ia i Ma Kynsai Wankhar katba i iathuh khana shaphang ka kur jong i lok jong i, ki Makdoh, bad kumno ki ia teh jutang bad U Lathari, U Ryngkew U Basa, jong ki.
