Home > Society > Tribes of India > Indawi Deity Celebration
Indawi Deity Celebration
Indawi Deity Celebration is a unique practice of Kuki tribes which includes worshiping the Indawi Deity according to the customs of the land.

Share this Article:

Indawi Deity Celebration is one of the traditions that prevails within the Kuki Tribes of Manipur. Indawi Deity Celebration begins with a story of a girl Japhal, daughter of Kimchal Hangsing who lived in the Chin Hills in a village called Muolphei, where the demons like Thilha were believed to be active and aggressive. Japhal was famous for her beauty and remained a centre of attraction for all the men including the Thilhas who wanted to get the girl by any means. As such one day after working in the Jhum field she didn`t return home. This disturbed the entire village who searched everywhere but couldn`t search her. Finally when the parents in regret cried bitterly in grief then the Thilhas, the demon of the area, came in the dreams of the parents and accepted that the girl has been stolen by them for their son. They wanted to select the girl to be his wife. Thilhas instructed the father to be happy about the relationship and when he wakes up in the morning he should look at the bushes of the tree Se. The bushes of the tree also known as Seboh shall possess certain ingredients which the father should collect and worship. He will live in prosperity till he worships these ingredients and this shall be known as the Indawi Deity Celebration. Since then it became a tradition for the Thadous or the tribal chief and his people who became prosperous after following the instructions of the Thilhas. Though this is historically not proved yet it is one of the traditions of the tribe that is celebrated with a lot of honour.

Indawi Deity Celebration as ritual includes a number of ingredients that include a female pig; horns of a he-goat, bamboo bangles with 7 rounds each double, small gourd at least 2 pieces- one for the Zu and the other for the seeds, spear, chemkol or Dao. These are bound together with a creeper called Khaoko which is a ring-like cord made up of bamboo. Worship of Idwani Deity is celebrated only once a year but in times of necessity like a family suffering from diseases may observe this more than once. When the above mentioned items are tied together it is called Idwani. During the ceremony the performer is supposed to kill a female pig. While the priest begins with his rituals since morning, in the meantime the Tucha and Becha relatives search the eligible female pig which is to be killed in the portico. This unique custom is followed with a lot of reverence within the Kuki tribes which is considered to be important for removing the difficulties and appeasing the evil spirits which can harm the people of the community. More than an agro based ritual this ritual is mainly to appease the superstition of the tribe. The meat of the pig is then dressed and cooked for the feast or Sapang which is taken by the village chief, his council of ministers, other elders and respectable people of the tribe along with the performer of Idwani and the priest.

Indawi literally means house-magic or witchcraft which also means the deity of the household. The Indawi deity is one of the most significant deities of the tribe which is not only popular among the Kuki tribes but also among the Meiteis of Manipur as well. This is considered to be the deity of the household which means that every family has a separate deity which is included among all the ritual and ceremonies of the family. This also claims that whenever the younger son the Naopa chooses to form his nuclear family then he can no longer depend on the deity of his father. As such every new family shall establish his own deity. Overall this ceremony holds a lot of relevance in the daily life of the Kuki people.

Thus Indawi Deity Celebration is amongst those celebrations which exist in the society of Kuki tribes and specifically bears the tradition of the land. Though based on the superstitions this ritual has become one of the most important parts of Kuki traditions.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Tribes of India


Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh
Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh form the major part of demography of the state. It is inhabited by almost 20 tribal groups. Some of the dominant tribes of the state are Adis, Apatanis, Aka, Miji, Singphos, Mishmis, Monpas, Nyishi and others.
Tribes of Uttar Pradesh
Tribes of Uttar Pradesh form an integral part and live with a distinct culture of their own.
Tribes of Manipur
Tribes of Manipur, who have largely migrated from nearby areas of Assam and Meghalaya, exhibit a unique socio-political complexion of the region.
Tribes of Mizoram
Tribes of Mizoram inhabit the major part of Mizoram. Tribes of Mizoram with their diverse festivity and heritage echo the true color of Mizoram.
Tribes of West Bengal
Tribes of West Bengal, with their unique culture, religion, costumes and tradition have enriched the culture and tradition of the state of West Bengal.
Tribes of Bihar
Though a large part of tribal population has come under the state of Jharkhand, Bihar still boosts of most socially advanced and culturally rich tribes.
Tribes of Odisha
Tribes of Odisha form a major portion of the total population of the state. Their unique culture and lifestyle have greatly contributed in the vibrancy and diversity of the state’s cultural heritage.
Tribes of Kerala
Tribes of Kerala inhabits in the forests and hilly regions of the state. There are more than 30 tribal communities in Kerala.
Tribes of Madhya Pradesh
Tribes of Madhya Pradesh represent the culture of their state. The Jhabua district has the highest density of tribal population.
Tribes of Himachal Pradesh
Tribes of Himachal Pradesh make their identity with their culture, costumes and tradition and religion they follow.
Tribes of Tripura
Tribes of Tripura are largely located in the mountainous areas of Tripura who represent themselves through their culture and traditions. These tribes vary from region to region.
Tribes of Rajasthan
Tribes of Rajasthan are said to be the original inhabitants of Rajasthan. They comprises of about 12 percent of the total population of the state.
Tribes of Meghalaya
Tribes of Meghalaya mainly include the tribal groups of Garo, Khasi and Jaintias as well as certain other small tribal groups.
Tribes of Maharashtra
Various kinds of tribal groups of Maharashtra with their culture, costume, tradition echoes the colour of the state.
Tribes of Andhra Pradesh
Tribes of Andhra Pradesh have enriched the ethnicity of the state with their typical tribal culture and tradition.
Tribes of Jammu and Kashmir
Tribes of Jammu and Kashmir have established themselves with the outstanding level of masterwork and diversification.
Tribes of Karnataka
Tribes of Karnataka flaunt ample exquisite clothes, festivals, festivities, dance and theatres in their lives.