CHAPTER IV

RELIGION

PRACTICALLY all divisions of the Lushai-Kuki family believe i. General
in a spirit called Pathian, who is supposed to be the creator of reiSkms
everything and is a beneficent being, but has, however, little beliefs.
concern with men.

Far more important to the average man are the numerous
"Huai" or demons, who inhabit every stream, mountain, and
forest, and to whom every illness and misfortune is attributed.
The "puithiam" (sorcerer) is supposed to know what demon is
causing the trouble and what form of sacrifice will appease him,
and a Lushai's whole life is spent in propitiating these spirits.

In addition to Pathian and the Huai there is a spirit known
as Khuavang, who is sometimes spoken of as identical with
Pathian, but is generally considered to be inferior to him, and
more concerned with human beings. Khuavang sometimes
appears to people, and his appearance is always followed by the
illness of those who see him. A Lushai will say," My Khuavang
is bad/' if things are going wrong with him, and he will also
tell you that you are his Khuavang, meaning that his fate rests
with you. I have also been told that there are two spirits
called Mivengtu, watchers of men. One of these is a good spirit
and guards people; the other is a bad spirit who is always
trying to sell men to the Huai. Similarly each person is said to
have two "thlarao," or souls, one of which is wise, while the other
is foolish, and it is the struggles between these two that make
men so unreliable. If a man hits his foot against a stone, he
attributes it to a temporary victory of the foolish spirit.

In addition to all these spirits, there is another. Each clan.

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