TAHAMZAM (SENAPATI): The Maram traditional decorated shawls - ‘Tahampai’ and ‘Tuchiipai’ - were released in a symbolic ceremony at the traditional Morung at Sagongbam by Maram Hoho President, K. Raisong, amidst the presence of eminent elders and village authorities associated with the shawl’s history. A press release from Pungdi P. Celestine, President, Maralui Karalimei Swijoikang (MKS) or the Maram Students Union, stated and informed that the blessing of the shawls was conducted by Rev. K. Daniel.
Celestine stated that this was an endeavour to preserve, revive and further promote the shawls so that the present and the younger generations would adopt the traditional attires.
The student president thanked the Maram Women Union for their tireless efforts in engineering the realization of the endeavour.
“The attires besides fulfilling the basic needs of clothing are highly revered and worn only by men folks. In olden days, a man had to earn the right to wear the decorated shawls. ‘Tahampai’ shawl can be worn only by those who had offered feast of merit as prove of his wealth and ‘Tuchiipai’ by those who had performed the stone dragging ceremony when he was alive,” Celestine stated in his press note.
“The design or motifs imprinted on the shawls has a deep meaning and significance. ‘Tahampai’ bears figures of horse, peacock, elephant which is believed to be the order of their early arrival with ancestors in the village and in course of time they were reared & domesticated; butterfly, heads of Mithun, buffalo and marks of carving imprinted on the traditional house . It is believed meat of the depicted animals are offered to guest at the feast of merit. ‘Tuchiipai” has horizontal rope-like threads, denoting indigenous creepers employed during stone pulling ceremony,” the MKS president stated.
Celestine further stated that the wearer of the shawl “is to ensure maintenance of the shawls with due honour and carry forward the culture and identity handed down from our ancestors with dignity and pride.”
Meanwhile, Celestine informed that as part of their grass-root level outreach at raising awareness, MKS observed Mothers’ Day together with various churches. Stating that it raised an alarm on the menace of atrocities and exploitation against women and child trafficking in various forms that take place almost every day and goes on unheard and silently, the President stated.
The Students’ Union urged mothers to remain sensitive over the menace so that the innocent young do not become a prey.
