Cosmology and deities of Misings

Sonia Doley

"Beleiving in the supernatural as Gods plays an important role in maintaining the social life.Since ,they are eternal and has a positive image."

- Taburam Taid.

The misings belong to the group of "Tani- clan", people belong to sino-tibetan liguistic group inhabiting in the Indian states of Assam,Arunachal Pradesh,and Tibet Autonuomous region of China.Tibet refer to the Tani people as the" Lhobas", 'lho' which refer the meaning south, ba which refer the meaning of people. The deities of the Mising can be found in the Abangs, Shamanic songs often perform by Mibu (The Priest of Misings). Mising practice their own supernatural belief called 'Donyi-Polo', the sun and the moon as a God. From the  supremely unconscious from 'Kéyum' gradually evolving  through seven stages of Yumkang > kasi >Siyang> Anbo>Bomung >Mukang>Muksang .The sequence of above kiyum to Muksang  is the process of evolution. The stage of flow is called 'Siyang, Sian'. The flow of Sian  gained intensity and extent,  creation of a deep bottom like a large valley. This stage is called 'A:bo, Anbo'.  They filled with a mysterious cover (like fog). This stage is called 'Bomung, Amung'. This cover then gradually became clearer (like clouds) and thicker. This state is called 'Mukseng'. The above-mentioned void, electricity, vapor, and fog together came to firmness and hardness like wet clay at one time. This is called 'Se:di'. The stage of Se:di is the  proof of imagination and establishment of concepts, the ultimate state or extreme existence. The kéyum word use at the beginning of Abang.The words of the A:bang are bound by a letters like the Vedic shlokas. Each name or word of the A:bang consists of two letters. When naming from one generation to another, the second letter of the first word becomes the first letter of the second. Kíyum > Yumkang > Ka:si> Siyan > Anbo > Bomug > Mukseng> Se:di>Diling > Li:tung>Tu:ye> Yepé>Pédong. In this way, the letter specifically indicates the movement  from one level to generation. The creation as follows by  the first known as 'Sadi-nane' and 'Melo-babu' they known to be first supreme they together create 'Ditem'(the earth), 'Adi-Ditem'(the mountain), 'Nyei-Negan' (green leaf and trees); 'Rukji-Merang' (Acalypha indica and insects) and 'Peyi-Pettang' (birds and animals).They also create 'Do:nyi-po:lo' (the sun and the moon ), 'Ésar' (the wind), 'Aasi' (water) and 'ímí'(fire).'Sedi Babu' create 'Diling' descendants Pedong gave birth to 'Dopang', 'Domi' and 'Doshing'. Domi's son 'Miniyong' was known to be ancestor of the Mising. They belief in different supernatural elements haunting earth and faith at benevolent and Malevolent Gods. Benevolent Gods (Manglik Devata): Agam uyu believed by Misings are:

Do:ying Boté- He is male, a spiritual guardian and guide of mankind. He is the father of knowledge and wisdom. He  taught man to fight against nature . He gave  knowledge in the hearts of people to fight against destruction and conspiracy. He is spiritually auspicious.

Yi:dum Boté- God of wind and storm. Another name is Do:yi: i.e. storm-wind. He is in supernatural or spiritual communication with Pedong mother. He conceives in the womb of Pedong  mother in an incorporeal form. As a result, Pedong Mother becomes pregnant and gives birth to thousands of corporeal and incorporeal earthly gods and goddesses, and animals.

Kongki Boté - The one who molds the physical form of human beings - Vishwakarma Dev.  A sign of his craftsmanship, the human body is shaped, blind, hunchbacked, lame. He is a skilled sculptor; but due to his inattention or negligence, people are sometimes born disabled.

Boki Moné - Dance, song, joy, and entertainment are offered to him.

Bomong Moné - Goddess of light and heat.She originally sign as the Sun. It is believed that she blessed human kind for unity and peace.

Ki:né Moné - Goddess of Agriculture.It believes that she blessed us to end the poverty .

Misum Boté - God of deadth. With the reference of Abang,  he is the first God that experienced the death. He is the first man that people were performed death rituals for him. So as per traditional believe the death comes after the end of Misum Boté.

Da:di Boté -  God of Domestic Yak and Domestic animals.

Gu:min Boté- God of protection, as per Aban he protect our family's happiness , unity and peace  Bisi Boté - God of tools and irons . 

Dendé Sobé - It believes that the crops and veggies were planted by his blessings.

Malevolent Gods believed by Misings are:

Uyu or ui ,malevolent spirits inhabiting the waters ,the skies,the fire and other sub - elements that present in nature as per belief, Urom ,Po-sum, hovering spirits of dead people who may cause illiness or other adverse benevolent,Guhmin Sohing, benevolent ancestor spirits,Epom-Yapom, spirits inhabiting tall big trees.The God of thunder propitiated from time to time. 

Ro:bo (Taro)- God of jealousy and aggressive.It believes that he is invisible and imagery in nature. As per Abang he is the eldest brother of the human kind . 

Bírí Boté - God of river, pond and Ocean.

Dimu Boté - God of icebergs. As per Aban story he lived on the top of hills covered by ice .

Nomgu Boté - God of illness, fever, cough cold etc .

Lé:mug Boté - God of thunderstorm , hailstrom and rain .

Banji Boté - God of weapons, war.

La:dang Boté - God of water, As per Aban he used to destroyed mankind thorugh water by drowning them into death.

Ni:ji Ni: pong -  Goddess of forest, As per Abang her ridiculous humming sound makes people weak and mentally disturbed and she blessed death to pregant ladies while giving birth to child.

Médéng Moné - God of robbery, murder .

Polung Sobo - As per Abang, the poisonous plants and thorny bushes were created by him.

Karpung Kardung - God of love , As per Abang they are siblings but they still love with each other and the love relationship were not accepted by the society .