Murasing is one of the 21 scheduled tribes of Tripura state of India. They are mainly dwelling in the South Tripura district of Tripura state of India. They speak the language Kokborok which is of Tibeto-Burmese origin.
CUSTOMARY LAWS OF THE MURASING COMMUNITY
Befor customary law at first I like to inform the social institution of Murasing community. In every village have a social institution. Those institutional members are CHODIRI, KARBARI, KHANDAL, BANDARI, SIROMONI. The CHODIRI is the headman of the village. He is also perform as Justic. The KARBARI is a planner of social activities. He is also perform as Lawyer. The KHANDAL is a Treasurer of the village level organisation. BANDARI is as a storekeeper and SIROMONI is the leader of singer’s of the village.
In the Murasing community the clan is called KHIL. Those KHIL’s are MURASING, DONGRO, MOSBANG and TOTORAM. In every KHIL have social institution. This institution’s members are ROY, SANUAN, KASKO and SIROMONI. ROY is as like a President of the organisation and the SANUAN is as Secretary. KASKO is like a treasurer of the organisation and the SIROMONI is the leader of singer’s.
In this community, every KHIL have a organisation of holly mans. In this institutions member’s are MOHONTO, TALUA, PUJARI, PHUDDAR and SORIPHUDDAR. MOHANTA is the head of holly organisation. TALUA is the ambasador of MOHANTA. The person who worshipe the GOD is called PUJARI. The PHUDDAR is an storekeeper and the SORIPHUDDAR is the cullector.
'BIRTH
In order to know about any customary law of a particular tribes then we should look at birth, marriage and death ceremony of different tribes. If we are to speak about our tribe then we should begin from the birth itself. In Murasing community purification has been done after 7 days. Before purification, except father and mother nobody is allowed to go onside the house. If anybody happens to be inside the house then one should take bath and then he is free to move at any other place. Similarly if anybody happens to be physcally in tach with the parants then the same punishment would be given as the said mentioned above.
Name is given as soon as the child is born. On the day of purifiction holy rite is performed to a water God. After that a Tulsi-God is worship. Then a holy water is sprayed with a Tulsi leaf in order to make a hous holy again. Several plates is placed name of a child. Each plate haring a neme with a thread and a mustard oil in lighted. Among those which light stays longer will be taken an the name of new born child.
A ear hole is made when the child attains the age of 4-5 years. In case of a femal child a hole is made in the ear as well as in the nose. when the girl reach 12 to 13 years of age than a RISA is binded in around the breast.
YOUTH ORGANISATION
In Murasing community adlosence boy is called BOSLOK and femal is called CHASLOK. In this community young men are called Chaklui and young girls sikla. Every year, after harvest, a convention of the youth organidation is held. In presence of the heads of the society, each young man and woman is garlanded and given a new name. This ritualistic festival is known as Sikla Mung chamani. The “baptism” confirms the status of the youth in the society. The names are chosen with special suggestion to the promnent traits of the personality; a sober and responsible youth is named as Sikla Rai, A young girl wuth melodious voice is given the name of Toksa Rangi and so on. Once the new name is given, the old name is never more used. It is like the Freshers’ welcome of the institution. thus a youth organisation is raised and maintained in each village. The customes and conventions of the organisation are considered inviolable. Ther is and administrative hierarchy as well. The chief of the organisation is Sikla Missip, a name given to a young man who is a wise natural leader. Next to him comes the Sikla Rai. If Sikla Missip is equivalent to the President, Sikla Rai is the Secretary. Next comes Sikla Chadiri – the arbitrator , Dagia is the director of planning. He is also the authority to administer punishment. Champrasi executes the punishment. Twifang is the organiser, the public relations and liaison man. Aming the young girl Nareng is the counterpart of Sikla Missip and Lupjari of Sikla Rai.
Some of the convention of the youth organization, as are found today follows: -
All Sikla Mung chajak, that is the newly ‘baptaized’ young men must be called and referred to by their new name. Use of the older name is punishable offence. In any village with young organization, visit from a young man to a girl must not be interfered with by anyone. An outsider young man cannot visit a young girl of a village with youth organization, without proper permission stands cancelled. Use of unbecoming expression by young people is strictly forbidden. Arbitration of all youth affairs ress with the organization. The organization has the authority to impose severe punishment. If a matter cannot be settled through the youth organization, it is handed over to the village elder-council. If most of the young people in a village get married, the old organization is dissolved and new one raised. Many of these conventions are now gradually being lost, but they indicate a highly developed social control system backed by voluntary will. This is one of the unique features of Murasing society.
'Marriage
In Murasing community marriage ceremony is performed in many ways. Like as arrange marriage, love marriage, elope marriage, Sakbaksa (a person not willing to marry is forcefully married by the people. secondly, a helpless person is help by others to marry), Chamari tisai kaimani (a groom is brought to the bride house for marriage), Hamjuk twlangwi kaimani (a bride is brought to groom house for marriage), Ma-pha soijakfano khogwi kaijakmani (by permission of parents boys and girl elope and get married)
In case of marriage, except elope, at first the groom’s parents and relatives go to the house of bride with MOORI, BATASA, KUAI-FATUI etc. and propose to bride’s parents for marry. After that if Bride’s parents received those things then it’s known as agree. Secondly grooms parents and relatives went to bride’s house with the social leader willing to finalize that matter. In this meeting groom’s mother is paid Rs.5 to bride’s mother for having a milk during childhood. Then brides father demand as KHROKSENG. As a father of brides, groom’s parents must fulfill his demand. KHOROKSENG demands is not limited.
In Murasing community all villagers and other relatives are invited in any marriage ceremony. In the day of marriage at first 2 AYA’s came to take water from river with band. After then AYA’s do bathing groom and bride with that water. After bathing and prepare for marry, they go to the Tulsi-God. Beside the Tulsi-God the OCHAI performed marry them with Tulsi-Mala. Then they go to BEDI for blessed from parents, elders, relatives and so on. The next day of marriage ceremony people take some food as blessing to new couple. After 7 day of marriage the new couple go to the bride’s house as HORSINI.
In a family if young member married before the elder member then he \ she would pay the penalty of respect to each of the elder member. It is called as BARSENG. A SAKBAKSA MANTI fine is levied for this cessation of SIKLA MUNG CHAMANI or youth organization’s membership, although the fine is only a token one.
'DIVORCE
In Murasing community, after marriage if anybody wish to divorce, he \ she can do in presence of the heads of the society. Whatever husband or wife, demands the first divorce have to pay the penalty to the later. It is called as KAKSENG. After divorce they can divide their won children’s and property as equal. After divorce anyone can re-marriage by his \ her choice.
'FUNERAL SYSTEM
In Murasing community the funeral rite is perform in two ways. When a non-vegetarian dies, they are cremated and when a vegetarian died they are buried. A person after dead, his dead body is clean by water and prepares dressing by new clothes. And then relatives will look for the last look to the dead body. After that the dead body is carried with WAYING to the place with holy song where he \ she will bury or cremated.
In case of male non-vegetarian, his cremate place design seven stages by wood. For female non-vegetarian, the cremate place are design five stages by wood. After laying on the wooden stage, his \ her youngest son or daughter or relatives of the died person give him some water. And then his \ her elder son or daughter or relatives around seven time this place with holding fire and finally set fire.
In case of burred, at first straight dug on the earth. After 6-7 fit straight dug, under that dug a vertical tomb is extended in order of west direction. Inside of this tomb the dead body is seated. All belongings will be taken in the extended dug mud and turn will be fill-up by the salt. The extended dug mad is fenced with the bamboo on that let the soil cannot penetrate in. Now the straight opened dug mad is filled with the mad. After that a Tulsi-tree will be planted on the surface of the tomb straight to the head of a death body. Than a small bamboo hut is built on the surface of the tomb. After three, five or seven day of dead, family members, relatives and others are performed death ritual. This death ritual is also performed in last of the year. If anybody wish he \ she can do every year.