NAGA-ASSAMESE GLOSSARY
As far as possible Naga-Assamese words have been avoided. For the following, however, no convenient English equivalents exist.
apodia. From the Assamese āpăd (“misfortune”). Certain forms of death by misadventure are spoken of as “apotia” deaths (see p. 160).
chunga. A section of bamboo with a node left intact at one end. Used as a drinking vessel or for carrying water.
dal. Lentils.
dao. A heavy bill used by Nagas both as a weapon and for agriculture.
deo-bih. Literally “spirit-poison.” The juice of a certain root formerly used by Nagas for poisoning fish. The practice is now prohibited.
genna. A very common Naga-Assamese word and one used in various senses. (1) A Naga ceremony; (2) = “forbidden” (e.g. “It is genna to take the head of a man of your own village”); (3) = “tabued,” as Angami kenna, of which the word is a corruption (e.g. “my house is genna to-day”).
jhum. Naga cultivation (see description on p. 45). Also used = a field which has been cultivated in this way.
khel. A division of a village (see description on p. 24).
lengta. The small apron worn by the men of most Naga tribes.
machan. A bamboo platform.
madhu. Rice beer.
mithan. Bos frontalis (domestic) and bos gaurus (wild).
morung. The “bachelors’ hall” in which the boys and unmarried men of a khel sleep.
pan. A leaf which is chewed with betel nut and lime.
panji. A bamboo spike stuck in the ground to impale enemies or game. [[233]]
[1] Opposite each month I have given the traditional derivation of the name. The correspondence with the English months is only approximate, of course. [↑]
[2] Travels and Adventures in the Province of Assam, by Major John Butler, p. 189. [↑]
[3] As the keeping of paddy in large corn-baskets is an Angami custom, and not followed by the Lhotas, the account given to Major Butler is clearly inaccurate, and I agree with Mr. Mills that it is probably a sheer invention of the same nature as the Semas and Aos are in the habit of making with regard to the hostile tribes to the east of them.—J. H. H. [↑]