Beliefs
To find out the good or bad omens or to cure the patients
or to get the effect of the evil spirit removed, an egg is broken and
its yolk is examined by the animist priest. On examining the egg he tells
about the type of the spirit which had cast spell upon the patient or
any other members of the family.
Depending upon the intensity of the effect of the spirit or the type of
the spirit, animal sacrifice is suggested. If the effect is not very serious
then a hen is sacrificed, otherwise a pig or dog is sacrificed. In case
if it is very severe then the sacrifice of buffalo or mithun may also
be suggested. The meat of the sacrificed animal is given to the patient.
The blood is smeared on the deity and some pieces of the meat are offered
to the deity or the spirit. They believe in ancestor worship and that
the spirit of the dead assumes the form of ghost. Some offerings are occasionally
made to the dead. Child birth ceremonies are performed with pomp and show
especially in case of the chief's son. The dead are buried and their clothes,
spears, daos, shields, drinking cup etc. are buried with them for their
use in the next world. Tobacco and pipe are kept near the hand. Some provide
a spear and kill a dog to keep along with the deceased in the grave. The
idea is that the dog will accompany him on the journey to the other
world. They believe in the existence of two worlds. One in which we are
living and the other where one goes after death. The Kukis believe in
some supreme God whom they call Pathian (Pasian). The sacrifices of dog,
pig or hen are made. They believe that plagues and misfortunes are caused
by Khozing God. Their goddess are Lungjai, Khozing, Khhanu, Vanchungmula,
Pavana and Vanhrika. The Anals call their God as Asaparan. They believe
in spirits and call them siha and Sikha (Ramhuai) which reside in mountains,
caves, water, lakes, rocks, holes, springs, water-falls and rivers. They
also believe in ghosts.
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