m THE OLD KUKI CLANS

159

Pakhangba and Nungchongba, but on a little further enquiry I
found that Pakhangba was always called Pathian when talking
among themselves. The other deity is probably the Manipuri
god Nungshaba (" The Meitheis," Hodson, page 98).

Above the hamlet was an oval, level space with a low wall
round it. At the eastern end was a small house in which were
two stones. This was the abode of Pakhangba, and to one side
was Nungchongba's dwelling place, which consisted of three
small stones, with a fourth one placed on the top. In front of
these a bull is sacrificed once in three years, and dancing and
singing take place every year after the harvest. The Chiru
believe in " Rampus," which in some respects appear to be the
same as the Lushai " Huai," but in others they appear to be
local gods. The four chief Rampus live one on Kobru, a
high hill overlooking the northern extremity of the Manipur
valley and called by the Manipuris the guardian of the north,
one in Kangjupkhul, the village site of my informants, one on
Makong hill and one in the valley of Manipur. Twice a year
the Rampu of Kobra is honoured with the sacrifice of a dog,
while pigs, fowls, or goats are offered to the others. In July
a dog is killed in honour of the first three and a pig in
honour of the last-named. In case of very serious illness,
when the Daibawl sacrifices have proved unavailing, special
sacrifices are made to the three chief Rampus above men-
tioned. These four Rampus are evidently nearer to local
godlings than the multitudinous and ill-defined Huais of the
Lushais. In July Pathian also is honoured, a pig being killed
on behalf of the whole village, while each household sacrifices a
fowl. The day is held sacred, no work being done. It is known
as Chapui-chol-lai—i.e., holiday in the great heat. The four
Rampus can only have come into prominence since the
settlement of the hamlet at Kangjupkhul, and it is probable
that different ones are worshipped by other hamlets. The
Chiru also perform Sakhua sacrifices as the Lushais do. The
Tikhup denied all knowledge of any devils or semi-divine
beings, saying that they worshipped Pathian and him only.
Every year in Phalgun they sacrifice a pig and a cock to
Pathian, and much zu is drunk. In cases of sickness sacrifices
of pigs or fowls and offerings of flowers, eggs, and rice are made