Tangkhul Cosmos: Weaving of Sky, Earth, and Humanity in Symphony

Robert Angkang Shimray¹

Shimray, R. A. (2023). Tangkhul Cosmos: Weaving of Sky, Earth, and Humanity in Symphony. InterViews: An Interdisciplinary Journal in Social Sciences, 10(1), pp. 94-127. https://doi.org/10.36061/IV.10.1.23.94.127

Abstract

The Tangkhul tribe, nestled in the Northeastern region of India, possesses a rich cultural heritage deeply rooted in their cosmological framework. Their cosmology intricately weaves together the celestial and terrestrial realms. This paper aims to unravel the complexities of their cosmology, exploring its spiritual and philosophical underpinnings and shedding light on the tribe’s beliefs, rituals, and way of life. Delving into the nuanced relationships between the sky, the earth, and humanity reveals the profound connections that shape their life and worldview. Drawing upon the wisdom of elders, cosmologists, and scholars, it investigates the fundamental cosmological concepts at the core of this society. It examines their relationship with the cosmos and their significance in guiding and influencing various aspects of their life. Central to this exploration is the concept of interdependent existence and the reciprocal relationships between humans, the natural environment, and celestial powers. Through rituals, ceremonies, and ancestral practices, they strive to maintain harmony and balance within this cosmic web, ensuring the well-being of both individuals and the community. The search string will be per the above query and include synonyms and alternative spellings using OR and AND combinations. The authors used boolean OR and AND to build search strings after finding the relevant keywords.

Keywords: Tangkhul, cosmology, ecology, celestial, earth, interconnectedness, beliefs, rituals

¹Robert Angkang Shimray is a Research Scholar at the Department of Anthropology, North-Eastern Hill University, India. Correspondence regarding this article must be directed to: robertngenu@gmail.com