Latest content added for UNT Digital Library Collection: Mising Language Resource

Spinning threads from silkworm cocoons

2024-01-22T14:09:43-06:00

Joya Medok Doley demonstrates the process of extracting silk threads from a silkworm cocoon bundle called takuri kénam. The silkworms are fed green leaves and kept in a dark room to mature. Once they have formed cocoons, the cocoons are grouped and rolled in a bamboo roller called takpín. From the takpín, silk threads are extracted into a second roller which is thinner, called poːpi.

Description of drying paddies

2024-01-22T14:09:29-06:00

Raju Doley is seen drying paddy in the sun. He says this paddy is one of the agotiyang aam, meaning "paddy that is done before the actual season". The paddy for the next season can be seen at the back in green, called horu jangiya. Since it had been raining for the past few days, he was not able to dry the paddy in the sun. Now he dries the wet paddies on a rope and begins assembling dried paddies for the next steps.

Performance of the traditional dance 'Mibu sumnam'

2024-01-22T14:08:14-06:00

Group performance of the traditional dance 'Mibu sumnam' at the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village.

Performance of the traditional dance 'Mibu sumnam'

2024-01-22T14:08:07-06:00

Group performance of the traditional dance 'Mibu sumnam' at the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village.

Conversation about Mising traditions, part 1

2024-01-22T14:07:57-06:00

Conversation about Mising traditions, part 2

2024-01-22T14:07:57-06:00

Dipok Kumar Doley and Bidyeswar Doley discuss local festivals in the Mising community, starting with Ali-aːyé-lígang, held on the first Wednesday of February. The Mising pray to Donyi-Poːlo (Sun and Moon), Karsíng, Kartak, Doːmup-Doːyar, Ésar (Wind), Podong (Rain), and Tapum-Tari (insects) for a better harvest the following year, health, and wealth. They eat purang, apong, and oying. Dr. Bidyeswar says that family members of all ages would participate in the prayers and activities, but now this is rarely seen. Similarly, Bihu celebrations are less prominent in recent years. Dipok Kumar Doley urges youngsters to stay alert and to take proper care of the Mising language, culture, and clothing or else they will become extinct.

Conversation about Mising traditions

2024-01-22T14:07:38-06:00

Dipok Kumar Doley and Bidyeswar Doley discuss childhood living in a chang ghar, a bamboo house built on a raised platform made of thick bamboo. Dipok Kumar Doley says traditional dishes were not fried; green leafy vegetables such as takuk, ombé, onger, pakkom, gurban, mírné koːtuk, takpiyang, beso-beyo, oti oying with fish, deer or pork were boiled. He describes traditional health practices; during pregnancy and after delivery, green leafy vegetables such as rukji and marsang, along with black pepper and local chicken boiled as a stew, and rice beer are given as remedies for the mother. They describe celebrations for weddings and births and local festivals like Ali-aːyé-lígang, held on the first Wednesday of February, where the Misings pray for a better harvest the following year, health, and wealth and eat purang, apong, and oying. Dr. Bidyeswar says that family members of all ages would participate in the prayers and activities, but now this is rarely seen. Dipok Kumar Doley urges youngsters to stay alert and to take proper care of the Mising language, culture, and clothing or else they will become extinct.

Performance of the traditional song 'Téréré', part 2

2024-01-22T14:07:28-06:00

Group performance of the traditional song 'Téréré' at the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village typically sung during marriage ceremonies. When a girl reaches the age of puberty and is ready to get married, Mising women gather in groups to sing this song.

Performance of the traditional song 'Téréré', part 2

2024-01-22T14:07:19-06:00

Performance of the traditional dance 'Sélloya'

2024-01-22T14:06:56-06:00

Group performance of the traditional dance 'Sélloya' at the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village depicting the Mising migration from the hills to the plains. The dance is accompanied by traditional instruments and singing where the women ask where to go and the men reply.

Performance of the traditional song 'Téréré', part 1

2024-01-22T14:06:51-06:00

Performance of the traditional song 'Téréré', part 1

2024-01-22T14:06:38-06:00

Performance of the traditional dance 'Sélloya'

2024-01-22T14:06:15-06:00

Performance of the traditional dance 'Éjuk soːnam'

2024-01-22T14:05:57-06:00

Group performance of the traditional dance 'Éjuk soːnam' at the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village. The dance is accompanied by traditional instruments, most notably éjuk tapum, traditionally made from bottle gourds and bamboo.

Performance of the traditional dance 'Éjuk soːnam'

2024-01-22T14:05:53-06:00

Description and performance of a traditional instrument

2024-01-22T14:05:52-06:00

Birason Doley describes and performs the traditional instrument kétpo tapum while attending the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village. He performs a niːtom and a kaban. He is the current Vice President of the Moridhal region in Dhemaji, Assam (originally from Hatipora, Dhemaji). He says he has played the kétpo tapum on the radio and performed with numerous artists.

Description and performance of a traditional instrument

2024-01-22T14:05:46-06:00

Birkhudhor Koktak describes and performs the traditional instrument dérki tapum while attending the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village as the leader of the Songkid Opé musical group. The four holes are called uw; the pipe is called dorbum. He performs a short song with lyrics "pépid piːd piːd, pépid péttangaː, ngokké aːmém doyoka, moːtep dengkangka" (dear bird...do not eat my paddy...please fly far away.) He is from Poloma village in Raisapori, Dhemaji.

Description and performance of a traditional instrument

2024-01-22T14:05:46-06:00

Prodip Kumbang describes and performs the traditional instrument éjuk tapum while attending the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village. He is from Sikari, Gali Borbari, Dhemaji, and is the current president of the Mising Cultural Association of Jonai region, Dhemaji, Assam. He says the éjuk tapum is of three types, depending on the number of holes in the instrument. If the instrument has one hole, it is called tumbo; pumsu for two; and lísíg for three. Pumsu is the current logo of the Mising Cultural Association of Assam. Éjuk tapum is believed to be the oldest musical instrument of the Mising community. Before migrating to the plains, the Misings resided in the hills, and they believed that Karki Mili was the first person to play the éjuk tapum. It was originally made from bottle gourds and bamboo. This particular bottle gourd used to make the instrument is poisonous and people are forbidden to consume them. These bottle gourds can be found only in the hills.

Description and performance of a traditional instrument

2024-01-22T14:05:44-06:00

Thomas Morang describes and performs the traditional instrument dumpag while attending the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village. He is from Silapathar village, Dhemaji, and is wearing traditional clothing for men including mibu galug, gonro ugon, tongani dumér, and dogné on his neck. He shows the léréli music in the instrument.

Description of traditional clothing and jewelry

2024-01-22T14:05:40-06:00

Ésar Doley describes her traditional clothing and jewelry worn while attending the Dírbí Kébang in Telam village, Dhemaji, Assam. She is wearing a wrap called gene ege gasor. On her neck, she is wearing dogné. She has adorned her wrists and hair with lakpun and dokpun. She says her group performed a traditional dance called selloya at the event.

Description of a traditional house exterior

2024-01-22T14:05:37-06:00

Rebot Pegu describes the exterior of a traditional family home in Ratanpur village called sang okum or taléng okum, which is built on raised platforms. He says different types of foundations made of wood and bamboo are required to construct taléng okum, including 5 joːpong to hold up the house and smaller wooden branches placed vertically called pali kutas. He lists the levels: the lowermost is called bénér; the middle is called porpiyang; the topmost where one can sit is called piso. The roof is made up of five layers including tarte, niːpir, dugying, and bangkung, and an outer layer of leaves called selab. Finally, the wooden stairway to the interior is called koːbang. He says there is typically a lagjum attached, but it is broken.

Description of smoking fish, part 1

2024-01-22T14:05:35-06:00

Obawati Doley describes the process of smoking fish. She starts by cleaning the fish by removing the innards and the scales with a katok (knife) so the fish will cook faster. The cleaned fish is then put on the pérab. If the flame is high, one day of smoking is enough for the fish to be cooked. It can also be dried in the sun. She says Mising people are especially fond of smoked fish and meat.

Description of a traditional house interior

2024-01-22T14:05:33-06:00

Rebot Pegu describes the interior of a traditional family home in Ratanpur village which is built on raised platforms. Méram, the lowest platform made of mud and wood, is where food is cooked. It is cleaned every day. Pérab, the hanging platform made of bamboo, is where dried fish and meats are smoked. Rébbong, another hanging platform, is used to store large items like earthen pots or épo, a traditional platelike utensil made of bamboo which separates husks from grains. Ríːsíng, the open space to the left of méram, is where the elderly people sit. Koktok, the open space to the right of méram, is where the women responsible for the cooking sit. The bamboo pieces are placed close together in ríːsíng, whereas in koktok, they are placed wider apart to allow space for washing. Before electricity was available in the village, lamps were hung on the corners of the méram.

Description of weaving implements, part 2

2024-01-22T14:05:12-06:00

Krishna Pegu describes the parts of the weaving machine. The wooden device that has a large wheel is called a jontor. The one beside the jontor, where slender bamboo sticks are tied together, is called sereki. The set of four bamboo pillars supporting the entire structure is called ta:tal. Makung is the driver of the whole machine which helps in running the threads. Bor sereki is the piece which is larger than the sereki. Tangngé lifts the required threads for making patterns; yaːpa and keːsanané also raise threads. Tulutang is the thick wood, placed vertically, which the threads are rolled over. Raːsi is the piece with which the threads are pulled closed together. After running the thread using a makung, raːsi is pulled towards the weaver so that the thread merges with the rest of the material. Nasoni is a round wheel-like plastic object which moves in circles.

Description of weaving implements, part 2

2024-01-22T14:05:03-06:00

Description of weaving implements, part 1

2024-01-22T14:04:59-06:00

Krishna Pegu describes the process of using the weaving machine while weaving a traditional garment of Mising women called ege gasor. The garment she is weaving has floral patterns in it, called mosang. The flowers are placed in a pattern called kepson which is designed to seem like the flowers are attached or running in a particular direction. She explains how the parts work together for weaving. Paksang is the white thread attached in the middle of the longer threads, where all the flowers are structured. Ya:pa is used to lift the threads which are needed in the making of the patterns. The pointed L-shaped wooden instrument is called keːsanané. It is used to raise the required threads for engraving the gamig (floral pattern). She runs her fingers through the white threads attached to the longer threads, called doːn. Sangkok is a pedal the weaver pushes with their feet. She demonstrates pushing the makung towards the further end, lifting the ya:pa, and placing red and black floral patterns on the lifted threads to make gamig.

Description of weaving implements, part 1

2024-01-22T14:04:49-06:00

Description of a traditional house exterior

2024-01-22T14:04:33-06:00

Description of making potika

2024-01-22T14:04:31-06:00

Chandrakanta Doley describes the process of making potika along with Dipok Kumar Doley and Obawati Doley. First, jaggery is melted, and then épob (medicinal herb mixture) is sprinkled in. They note how potika is consumed locally and in other areas, observing it is often over-consumed. Chandrakanta Doley warns about low-quality potika made by burning sandals and clothes, instead recommending ones made at home or bought from trusted villagers. This is because low-quality potika is associated with health risks and may contain additives like tobacco which decrease one's longevity. Even high-quality potika must be taken in moderation, as consuming too much can lead to liver and/or lung damage and inflammation. In moderate doses, potika is used for medicinal purposes such as preventing high blood pressure. Chandrakanta Doley recalls how doctors suggested potika as treatment during a recent malaria outbreak in the village. He says he has been consuming potika every night after dinner for 30 years.

Description of making potika

2024-01-22T14:04:19-06:00

Description of a birdhouse

2024-01-22T14:04:17-06:00

Obawati Doley briefly describes the birdhouse her husband made, called péra.

Description of weaving baskets

2024-01-22T14:04:10-06:00

Dipok Kumar Doley describes the process Rebot Pegu follows while weaving a bamboo basket called pétum. First, bamboo is sliced thinly using a katok (knife) or matsíg (sharp object), and then the strips are woven together. These baskets are used as containers for storage (of amli-péli, amrong, apong, or paan), transportation, or as enclosures for hens and ducks. He says pétum weavers have to be swift, and they have to know the method of arranging the thinly sliced bamboo to make a beautiful, hand-crafted pétum. In the past, his in-laws would wrap meat and apong in banana leaves, but nowadays, the new generation is not keen on making pétum. He says only a handful are aware of this weaving technique.

Description of weaving baskets

2024-01-22T14:03:56-06:00

Description of a duck shelter

2024-01-22T14:03:37-06:00

Chandrakanta Doley describes the duck house on his family farm. In the past, he had ~20-35 ducks, but now has only 5. They roam freely during the day in a nearby pond. He says duck meat is popular in Assam, and it is traditionally either boiled or fried with a gourd and steamed until thick. He prefers the boiled preparation.

Conversation about buying fish

2024-01-22T14:03:09-06:00

Dipok Kumar Doley asks the prices of mougli, borali, and na:réng fish at the market. The vendors list the prices and say the fish came from Gali.

Description of smoking fish

2024-01-22T14:03:00-06:00

Description of smoking fish, part 2

2024-01-22T14:02:51-06:00

Description of a traditional house interior

2024-01-22T14:02:48-06:00

Traditional narrative about the fox and crocodile

2024-01-22T14:02:48-06:00

Kartik Doley tells a traditional narrative about a crocodile who offers to take a fox's children to school, but instead eats the children. Whenever the fox came to visit, the crocodile would make excuses for why the fox could not see the children. After the fox realized the trick, he planned to get revenge on the crocodile. Finally, one day, while drinking water from the lake, a pétukari (fish) bit the fox's tongue and pulled him under the water.

Description of preparing catfish

2024-01-22T14:02:34-06:00

Chandrakanta Doley describes how borali ongo (catfish) is prepared. He starts by picking out some threadlike filament from the fish, explaining these parts are hard to digest because of their plasticity. He says borali ongo goes well with elephant apple.

Description of a pig shelter

2024-01-22T14:02:34-06:00

Obawati Doley briefly describes the yegum (a shelter for pigs) on their family farm. She says her husband built the structure out of wood and bamboo; the floor is plaster, and the roof is made of tin.

Description of preparing catfish

2024-01-22T14:02:33-06:00

Description of a family farm

2024-01-22T14:02:10-06:00

Obawati Doley describes her family's paddy field which covers about 6-7 bighas (~4 acres) outside Mukoli Potar village. She lists the crops growing (pirmen jangiya, ampi, malbug, dumuang), the trees planted in the field, and the crops seen on neighboring farms like agotiyang aam. When asked if the younger generation is keen on farming, she explains that the few who could not further their studies tend to resort to farming as a source of income. The paddy field also includes markati, kojer, rinji, maːdag, bogori, a tongi (a watchman shed in the middle of the field to keep animals away), and a river at the periphery of the paddy field. She says this year is predicted to be a good harvest.

Description of a family farm

2024-01-22T14:02:01-06:00

Description of shooing birds from paddies

2024-01-22T14:01:55-06:00

Raju Doley describes the rope that can be seen surrounding the paddy field, called aríg péttang ménnané, which is used to shoo away birds that come to eat the paddy. He says that,normally, they would shout "Hai hai" while swinging the rope to scare the birds away, but, when farmers are drinking, they might say "Sou sou!"

Description of cutting paddies

2024-01-22T14:01:36-06:00

The speaker describes the process of cutting paddies (aam). She was delayed by continuous rains and flooding which washed away the paddy bundles that were already cut. She says it will take 2-3 days to complete the entire paddy field. She explains that this variety, known as ranjit aam in Mising, was planted during aahar (June) and it is being cut during ahin-kati (October-November). Ranjit aam is one of the agotiyang aam, meaning 'paddy that is done before the actual season.' She says later she will cut other paddies including amdang aam, bor jangiya aam, and dumuang aam.

Description of cutting paddies

2024-01-22T14:01:31-06:00

Description of separating husks from paddy leaves

2024-01-22T14:01:00-06:00

Purnima Medok demonstrates how to separate the husks from paddy leaves and describes the cultivation process. She says the paddies are sown during the month of ahar (June). After harvesting, the men carry the paddy to the kumsung (a house to keep the harvest). Next, the paddy leaves are separated through the process demonstrated here before it can be dried and later milled. They grow multiple rice varieties including bor zangiya, bora sokua, and ampi. She explains that mixing varieties together enhances the flavor. She especially enjoys feeding her children and grandchildren with rice she has stored in tin boxes.

Description of tea plantation methods, part 3

2024-01-22T14:00:57-06:00

Bipul Medok describes the functions of the siris trees planted between tea plants. They support the black pepper plants' vines, and produce leaves which are are used as an organic fertilizer for the tea plants. He says the wood of the siris tree can also be used as firewood, and may be suitable for making furniture.

Description of tea plantation methods, part 2

2024-01-22T14:00:19-06:00

Bipul Medok describes the fertilizers and pesticide methods used on his tea plantation including urea and MOP (potassium chloride). In addition to tea, he grows siris amíng, neem, and black pepper plants.