The Mikirs
The Mikir tribes are scattered over the Golaghat subdivision of
the Sibsagar district, Nowgong, Kamrup, Khasi Hills and North Cachar
Hills.
The complexion of the tribes is generally yellowish brown but some
are quite fair. The men are comparatively tall. The Mikir dress is elegant.
The men put on a long striped coat (choi) without sleeves and with fringes
covering the lower part of the body up to the knees. They wear a
short dhoti called Rikong, sometimes of silk. On the head they wear a
pagri (pohu). In cold weather they cover themselves like the Assamese
with a wrapper or bor-kapor of eri-silk which is warm. The woman wear
a petticoat (pini) fastened round the waist with the ornamental
belt (vankok ) exactly like the Lakhers of the Lushai Hills. The upper
part of the body is covered with a wrapper (jiso) passing under
the arms and drawn tight over the breasts. Both men and women draw their
hair back which is tied in a knot above the nape.The women insert a silver tube in the ear lobes. Ear
rings of gold and silver are suspended from the upper part of the
ears. Necklaces, rings, bracelets of gold and silver are worn in
Khasi-fashion. Feathers of the horn bill adorn the head of both men and
women on festive occasions.
The Mikirs build their houses on the
floor several feet above the ground. House are built of spilt, flattened
out of bamboo, the roof being thatched with sun grass. The house is divided
into separate compartments. The furniture of the house generally consist
of a raised platform of spilt bamboo which serves as a bed, a block of
wood corresponds to the Assamese pira or low stool, Baskets of bamboo
serve the purpose of wardrobes, in which Paddy, house hold goods and clothes
are kept. Joints of bamboo are used as containers for water as well
as ornaments and other valuables of the family.
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