TEI comes from the word KATEI meaning spear and SHAN comes from the word SHANKASE meaning to erect it firmly on the ground. Therefore TEISHAN means to erect the spear firmly to the ground. However, in our traditional practise it carries and denotes different meanings depending on the usage.
For example, if a man marries and settles down but later wishes to part way from his wife and live with another woman, the man is compelled to perform TEISHAN and moves to a new place with his new lover. In this kind of situation, the man must leave behind all his property and cannot claim any of the ancestral property that was given to him during their marriage except his spear. And if it is the case of a woman, she is compelled to perform TEITHANG SHANKASE (Teithang means spear for woman) and move out from the house and cannot claim any property she brought as present during their marriage. The final act of divorce is carried out in the Village Court in the presence of Chief and Hangva. In this act, the deserter has to break the MAKAO (rice beer cup) by crushing on his/her feet. After this act, they can never live as one again anymore in their lifetime.
Another example is, in the olden days, clans formed war alliances with other clan to protect their clan, property and from stronger clans and enemies. This is called TEIRAK (spear alliance). In war, some clans receive heavy casualties almost to the points of extinction of their clan. In this kind of situation, in order to survive their existence as a clan, the weak and leftover clan (X Clan) merged into a bigger and stronger clan (Y Clan). And gradually, through the stronger clan’s protection their number increased and multiplied. And when the X Clan wished to part way, the alliance from the bigger and stronger Y Clan, the X Clan was compelled to pay gratitude as TEISHAN in the form of buffalo or any 4 legged animals to the Y Clan. The meat was distributed to every household of the village as a sign of declaration and witness that they were separated and different now. In case, if the X Clan failed to do TEISHAN and part way from the Y Clan, then the Y Clan had every right to seize all their properties including domesticated animals and lands belonging to the X Clan.
Another example of TEISHAN is, in times of war, the victor brought a captor or the losing group sometimes followed the victor for protection and survival. Out of pity and mercy, the victor would take them into their fold or clan and gave land and other properties. After flourishing in the victor’s land, when their population increased, if they wish to part way as a different clan because of their past history, they could do so by performing TEISHAN with a buffalo or any 4 legged animal. And the meat was distributed to every household in the village as a declaration and witness that they were now parted and different. Here, the difference is that they could not claim any property even after the TEISHAN, since they came empty handed. However, out of love and compassion, the victors could give away property permanently.
This is the significance and meaning of TEISHAN in Phungcham dialect. In Tangkhul, it is known as ZEISHUN.
Photo Courtesy: Akui Zingkhai
