“NAAGA” A LEGENDARY COMMUNITY BIRD

The term “Naaga” means rooster or chicken in Tamang language, and it plays an important role in the life of Tamang community. Roosters of different types, sizes and colors are used in Tamang customs and rituals compulsorily. Some in the form of gift to God, some are used as sacrifices, and some as communion between the people and God. Even “Fum” or eggs are used in many occasions. To cite an example, “Kheppa Sung” a worship to deceased Tamang ancestors, is a rare tradition among the world’s indigenous people. It is carried out by all Tamang homes every year in various forms and styles. However, the requirement of red rooster is mandatory. If you have noticed, the comb of the rooster is pasted on the main door of the house and the theory governing this action can be learnt from Bombos or knowledgeable persons. Similarly, as we go through the Tamang wedding process, each “डाङ्ग” (Daang) which implies gift to the parents and the relatives of the bride constitute mandatorily a live rooster or at-least cooked chicken meat. This is how rooster is being used not only in worships and rituals like other tribal communities but it is also being applied extensively in the customs, culture and traditions of Tamang community. Normally, worships are carried out either by Bombos or Lamas primarily to connect people to people, people to village, village to village, people to country, people to universe, and people to God. It is also carried out to protect people, their homes and villages from evil spirits and ward off negative energies. In almost all types of worships rooster is used vehemently. How and When did the Tamangs begin to use rooster is difficult to ascertain but, it is evident that the application of rooster began with the introduction of bombo-ism in Tamang community, and according to Tamang legend rooster is a resemblance of Tamang people. How important is Naaga in the lives of Tamang community is how an individual perceive. It deserves great respect and honour from Tamang community which is largely due to this beautiful bird. Despite modification in the sacrificial rituals, the study on the application of Naaga in the rituals and customs of the Tamang community as a whole has a long history of anthropological importance. From the birth to marriage, through the life to death the role of rooster in Tamang community is significant and has been found to be profound and marvelous. Thus, it may not be wrong for us to consider rooster a legendary bird of Tamang Community (जातीय). If you agree, a wooden poster frame of a beautiful red rooster above the main door of your house or any other directly visible walls would have sufficed to pay due tribute to your ancestors. Submitted for readers’ opinion.

(Tamang Educational & Cultural Foundation, INDIA)