Traditional Institutions: Though administrative changes took place, some of the institutions are still working at its original form. The Karbis of Karbi Anglong have three tier Traditional Self governing institutions; of which at the apex it is the “King” or locally known as Lingdokpo in Rongkhang area and his Parliament or council of minister called Pinpomar, at the middle level there are 12 Habais or administrator one each for 12 Longris and at the bottom it is the Mei or Village Council.[1]
Traditional Self Governing Institutions:
King / Lingdokpo
Habai
Mei / Village Council
Chart- 1
In the light of this, therefore the traditional institution of Karbis can be summarized under follows:
1. King / Lingdokpo: In the Hamren sub- division there are three traditional local Kings with their territorial Jurisdiction at Rongkhang, Chinthong and Amri. Though in real terms they are tribal Chiefs, yet people treats him as Lingdokpo meaning a King. Among the other Kings, the Lingdokpos of Ronghang considered to be the supreme. In many instances he is treated as Karbi Resho. The Niz- Ronghang village situates at a distance of 20 km from the hamren sub division, which is also treated as Raja Gaon. At a hierarchical design the Lingdokpo have several subordinate Lingdokpos.[2] The list of such subordination can be viewed by the following diagrams:
Tongkhang Lingdokpo
Rongchaicho Lingdokpo
Killing Lingdokpo
Rongpi Lingdokpo
Chart- 2
Chinthong Lingdokpo
Nonglada Lingdokpo
Nongpli Lingdokpo
Chart- 3
Amri Lingdokpo
Du Lingdokpo
Nongkirla Lingdokpo
Chart- 4
The functions of the Lingdokpo has been governed by the Parliament or locally known as Pinpomar. The structures of the senior most functionaries are hierarchal can be understood as follows:
Bardili or the Prime Minister
Katharbura or the Priest
Pator or the Assistant
Dengja or the Advisor
Chart- 5
All of these offices are assigned with certain duties and functions in all matters of social religious and judicial importance. They donot enjoys any political powers as those are now execised by the Karbi Anglong District Council.[3] The kings or the queen in real sense of term never enjoys any such special privilege, only once in a year there have been the royal darbar is held and the king and the queen get special attentions. Otherwise they led a very common life as like the other fellow village dwellers, cultivating their own jhum field and resides in a normal house as with the others.[4]
2. Habai: It has been referred earlier that the ancient Karbi kingdom had 12 administrative units locally known as longris and each such longris are governed by the head man known as Habai.[5] But a king can dismissed him any time found, not loyal to the king and to the Pinpomar, found physically unfit, if marriage more than one wife, delays some trails and embraces Christianity. Though the Habai’s are the primary authority o0ver the village yet he has been assisted by the Regional Council called Longri- a- Mei. The council consists of different members; such as- Habai Kong (Principal Habai), Habai Riso (Assistant Habai, must be a younger in age), Brutmen (Expert in traditional Laws), Mutlar (Organising Secretary), Hemai (Assistant to Mutlar), Basapo (One who arranges the sittings of the Longri- A- Mei), Pherenke (Messenger) and the Sarthes (Headman of the village).[6] The Habai’s under his geographical jurisdiction settle all the local disputes with the help of the mentioned council which are further send for final decision of the Lingdokpo. Since he is the protector of the traditional laws and social order, he is supposed to be a wise and responsible person. It under its jurisdiction looks after all the matters concerning civil and judicial importance and can charge fine or punishment.[7] The post of the Habai is hereditarily transferred and can be altered under circumstances of either he be dismissed by the Lingdokpo or he died sonless. In such condition Lingdokpo can appoint a suitable male member of the clan the deceased Habai belongs as a Habai.[8]
3. Village Council or Mei: The routine administration of a village is run by these institutions. Each such institution is headed by a headman known as Sarthe.[9] All adult male are happens to be the members of the council locally known as Chakri. There has not been any limit on membership rather the number of such membership is varied from one council to another.[10] Though the functions and the privileges are indicated by the District council, yet it does not obstruct in the customary rights and privileges of the selecting of the Sarthe. This institution can be viewed as one of the democratic institution in any tribal domain as because it contain democratic principles of representation. People can any point of time can dispose of some one from his position of Sarthe, if found inefficient and found discrepancy of his position. It is again because of the people’s willingness to hold somebody as Sarthe for long run if he seems to be congenial towards them. Therefore it limits the scope for the District Council to render its service in Village Council, as it can only recognize the office of Sarthe and can not retain him or banish him. The democratic vision of the institution can again understand through looking into the powers of the Sarthe. It has been seen that a Sarthe can never alone make any decision, as it needs prior consent of the members. It can only issue proposals relating to the village affairs in-front of the members in a meeting with them and can wait for its approval from the members.[11] Under the Sarthe there are some assistant to help him, which are locally known as Sarso. The order of command therefore can be viewed as under:
Mei
Chakri
Chakri
Sarthe
Sarthe
Chakri
Sarso
Sarso
The Mei has several functions to make, in the areas of socio- economic and religious life of the community. It has again been notable that three or more Mei constitutes a great council which is locally known as Mei-pi. This Mei-pi comprises only of the Sarthes from respective villages and which is headed by a head Sarthe, who is selected among themselves and hold office for one year.[12] This institution holds privilege on serious matters concerning to their community.
With the exception of the previously mentioned institutions, there is another institution which has an important role in shaping Karbi traditional design and also in shaping Karbi way of life, which is mentioned under follows:
The Bachelor’s Hall or Risomar Terang: This is an institution where young boys use to sleep at night after crossing his age of 10 with the other young boys. The membership for the Hall is open to all despite of difference in Kurs and Sub-kurs. A member ceased to become its member as soon as he gets married. Usually a bachelor hall is administered by the Sarthe.[13] Entrance to the hall strictly maintained, except of members others are not allowed to enter to the hall.[14] These halls are seen as the recreation hall for the young boys and also accepted as the platform to rouse the cooperative spirit among the youths. Though because of urbanization and development these institutions are ceased to exists in urban domain areas, yet in some of the Karbi dominated interior locality of high hills, these are still exists.[15] It has been found that today these institutions are sub- merged by the modern club houses or by the Community Hall.
REFERENCES:
[1] Goswami Atul, Traditional Self Governing Institutions among the Hills Tribes of North East India, 2002, Page- 195.
[2] Ibid, page- 196.
[3] Ibid, page- 199.
[4] Ibid, page- 199.
[5] Bordoloi B. N., Thakur Sarmah G. C. and Saikia M.C., “Tribes of ASSAM”, Part- 1, 1987, Page- 54.
[6] Goswami Atul, Traditional Self Governing Institutions among the Hills Tribes of North East India, 2002, Page- 200- 201.
[7] Ibid, page 201.
[8] Ibid, page- 201.
[9] Bordoloi B. N., Thakur Sarmah G. C. and Saikia M.C., “Tribes of ASSAM”, Part- 1, 1987, Page- 61-62.
[10] Census of India: Assam, 1961, Page- 28.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid, page- 29.
[13] Bordoloi B. N., Thakur Sarmah G. C. and Saikia M.C., “Tribes of ASSAM”, Part- 1, 1987, Page- 61-62.
[14] Mahanta K.C., Encyclopaedia: Profile of North East, 1998, page- 396.
[15] Census of India: Assam, 1961, Page- 28.
Traditional Self Governing Institutions:
King / Lingdokpo
Habai
Mei / Village Council
Chart- 1
In the light of this, therefore the traditional institution of Karbis can be summarized under follows:
1. King / Lingdokpo: In the Hamren sub- division there are three traditional local Kings with their territorial Jurisdiction at Rongkhang, Chinthong and Amri. Though in real terms they are tribal Chiefs, yet people treats him as Lingdokpo meaning a King. Among the other Kings, the Lingdokpos of Ronghang considered to be the supreme. In many instances he is treated as Karbi Resho. The Niz- Ronghang village situates at a distance of 20 km from the hamren sub division, which is also treated as Raja Gaon. At a hierarchical design the Lingdokpo have several subordinate Lingdokpos.[2] The list of such subordination can be viewed by the following diagrams:
Tongkhang Lingdokpo
Rongchaicho Lingdokpo
Killing Lingdokpo
Rongpi Lingdokpo
Chart- 2
Chinthong Lingdokpo
Nonglada Lingdokpo
Nongpli Lingdokpo
Chart- 3
Amri Lingdokpo
Du Lingdokpo
Nongkirla Lingdokpo
Chart- 4
The functions of the Lingdokpo has been governed by the Parliament or locally known as Pinpomar. The structures of the senior most functionaries are hierarchal can be understood as follows:
Bardili or the Prime Minister
Katharbura or the Priest
Pator or the Assistant
Dengja or the Advisor
Chart- 5
All of these offices are assigned with certain duties and functions in all matters of social religious and judicial importance. They donot enjoys any political powers as those are now execised by the Karbi Anglong District Council.[3] The kings or the queen in real sense of term never enjoys any such special privilege, only once in a year there have been the royal darbar is held and the king and the queen get special attentions. Otherwise they led a very common life as like the other fellow village dwellers, cultivating their own jhum field and resides in a normal house as with the others.[4]
2. Habai: It has been referred earlier that the ancient Karbi kingdom had 12 administrative units locally known as longris and each such longris are governed by the head man known as Habai.[5] But a king can dismissed him any time found, not loyal to the king and to the Pinpomar, found physically unfit, if marriage more than one wife, delays some trails and embraces Christianity. Though the Habai’s are the primary authority o0ver the village yet he has been assisted by the Regional Council called Longri- a- Mei. The council consists of different members; such as- Habai Kong (Principal Habai), Habai Riso (Assistant Habai, must be a younger in age), Brutmen (Expert in traditional Laws), Mutlar (Organising Secretary), Hemai (Assistant to Mutlar), Basapo (One who arranges the sittings of the Longri- A- Mei), Pherenke (Messenger) and the Sarthes (Headman of the village).[6] The Habai’s under his geographical jurisdiction settle all the local disputes with the help of the mentioned council which are further send for final decision of the Lingdokpo. Since he is the protector of the traditional laws and social order, he is supposed to be a wise and responsible person. It under its jurisdiction looks after all the matters concerning civil and judicial importance and can charge fine or punishment.[7] The post of the Habai is hereditarily transferred and can be altered under circumstances of either he be dismissed by the Lingdokpo or he died sonless. In such condition Lingdokpo can appoint a suitable male member of the clan the deceased Habai belongs as a Habai.[8]
3. Village Council or Mei: The routine administration of a village is run by these institutions. Each such institution is headed by a headman known as Sarthe.[9] All adult male are happens to be the members of the council locally known as Chakri. There has not been any limit on membership rather the number of such membership is varied from one council to another.[10] Though the functions and the privileges are indicated by the District council, yet it does not obstruct in the customary rights and privileges of the selecting of the Sarthe. This institution can be viewed as one of the democratic institution in any tribal domain as because it contain democratic principles of representation. People can any point of time can dispose of some one from his position of Sarthe, if found inefficient and found discrepancy of his position. It is again because of the people’s willingness to hold somebody as Sarthe for long run if he seems to be congenial towards them. Therefore it limits the scope for the District Council to render its service in Village Council, as it can only recognize the office of Sarthe and can not retain him or banish him. The democratic vision of the institution can again understand through looking into the powers of the Sarthe. It has been seen that a Sarthe can never alone make any decision, as it needs prior consent of the members. It can only issue proposals relating to the village affairs in-front of the members in a meeting with them and can wait for its approval from the members.[11] Under the Sarthe there are some assistant to help him, which are locally known as Sarso. The order of command therefore can be viewed as under:
Mei
Chakri
Chakri
Sarthe
Sarthe
Chakri
Sarso
Sarso
The Mei has several functions to make, in the areas of socio- economic and religious life of the community. It has again been notable that three or more Mei constitutes a great council which is locally known as Mei-pi. This Mei-pi comprises only of the Sarthes from respective villages and which is headed by a head Sarthe, who is selected among themselves and hold office for one year.[12] This institution holds privilege on serious matters concerning to their community.
With the exception of the previously mentioned institutions, there is another institution which has an important role in shaping Karbi traditional design and also in shaping Karbi way of life, which is mentioned under follows:
The Bachelor’s Hall or Risomar Terang: This is an institution where young boys use to sleep at night after crossing his age of 10 with the other young boys. The membership for the Hall is open to all despite of difference in Kurs and Sub-kurs. A member ceased to become its member as soon as he gets married. Usually a bachelor hall is administered by the Sarthe.[13] Entrance to the hall strictly maintained, except of members others are not allowed to enter to the hall.[14] These halls are seen as the recreation hall for the young boys and also accepted as the platform to rouse the cooperative spirit among the youths. Though because of urbanization and development these institutions are ceased to exists in urban domain areas, yet in some of the Karbi dominated interior locality of high hills, these are still exists.[15] It has been found that today these institutions are sub- merged by the modern club houses or by the Community Hall.
REFERENCES:
[1] Goswami Atul, Traditional Self Governing Institutions among the Hills Tribes of North East India, 2002, Page- 195.
[2] Ibid, page- 196.
[3] Ibid, page- 199.
[4] Ibid, page- 199.
[5] Bordoloi B. N., Thakur Sarmah G. C. and Saikia M.C., “Tribes of ASSAM”, Part- 1, 1987, Page- 54.
[6] Goswami Atul, Traditional Self Governing Institutions among the Hills Tribes of North East India, 2002, Page- 200- 201.
[7] Ibid, page 201.
[8] Ibid, page- 201.
[9] Bordoloi B. N., Thakur Sarmah G. C. and Saikia M.C., “Tribes of ASSAM”, Part- 1, 1987, Page- 61-62.
[10] Census of India: Assam, 1961, Page- 28.
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid, page- 29.
[13] Bordoloi B. N., Thakur Sarmah G. C. and Saikia M.C., “Tribes of ASSAM”, Part- 1, 1987, Page- 61-62.
[14] Mahanta K.C., Encyclopaedia: Profile of North East, 1998, page- 396.
[15] Census of India: Assam, 1961, Page- 28.
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