Our Correspondent
Diphu, Dec. 11 (EMN): A two-day seminar on ‘Traditional system of Karbi community: change and continuity’ commenced at Karbi People’s Hall, Taralangso on Saturday.
The seminar is organised by Vivekananda Kendra Institute of Culture (VKIC), Guwahati in collaboration with Karbi Cultural Society (KCS), Karbi Lammet Amei (KLA) and Assam University Diphu Campus.
Eminent scholars and 35 Karbi leaders are presenting their papers on Karbi culture, traditions, belief, social customs and practices.
Inaugurating the seminar, Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council for Higher Education, Jagatsing Engti informed that marriage cannot take place within the same clan. There are five major clans -- Lijang, Ejang, Tungjang, Hanjang and Kronjang -- and other sub-clans. Another distinct feature of Karbi community is that even after marriage women’s title will remain as it is.
He also noted that in a Karbi family when the responsibility of the family is passed to the son, he is bound to know the local deities and ritual practices of the house and other social responsibilities.
He appreciated VKIC for organising the seminar in promoting and preserving the culture of the Karbis.
VKIC, Joint Secretary, Dipankar Mahanta said that with change of time, culture also changes. But the core meaning should not be altered. The VKIC is trying to show how Karbi culture can be preserved through documentation and in written forms.
He also said the 23 papers that will be presented will later be published as a book so that the upcoming generations can learn and retain the customs.
On Saturday, topics like -- marriage system of the Karbis by Doyaram Kathar and Vophong Rongphar, village organisations of the Karbis by Kamsing Engti, traditional self-governing institution by Lunse Timung and Stalyn Ingti, Karbi rituals by Ajith Kathar, and gods and goddesses by Boleswar Hanse, Sarala Kathar, Kamsing Ingti and Chandra Sing Kro -- were deliberated upon.
On Sunday (Dec. 12), topics like -- community festivals by Sarala Kathar and Kartik Ram Timung, traditional knowledge for culture and continuity by Ribon Teronpi, Pratibha Teronpi, Babita Rani Teronpi and Sarklim Taro, traditional games by Jorsing Bey, Karbi musical instruments and Karbi language by Biren Keleng, oral history of the Karbis by Rajendra Timung, traditional system of Karbi community: Change and continuity by Dr. Lipson Rongpi and Karbi traditional belief and philosophy of life by Lunse Timung will be discussed.