By Vilazonuo Theunuo (5th Semester MTECH 2022)
What is unique about my culture?
According to Merriam Webster dictionary, heirloom is something of special value handed down from one generation to another.
In my culture that is the Angami culture, a heirloom may range from a jewelry piece to the most mundane things like a seat! The latter may not be of special value but as time passes and it is passed down from generation to generation it gains its own value.
Most of the heirloom in my culture are either valuable objects or they are of daily use objects which are rarely made these days and if made cost a hefty amount.
Lipfu
This lipfu was used to carry water during the olden times. It is made of clay and is now painted with touchwood and repurposed as a flower vase and kept safely in the living room.
The lipfu was a symbol of wealth and was given to my grandmother as a wedding gift by her parents
Chunuo
Chunuo, it is a rice granary made of bamboo. The rich will have more than 8 granaries inside their houses filled with different types of rice, once all the granaries are filled, they will have to hold a feast for the whole village and the same villagers will also help them again when the time comes for sowing and harvesting.
The poor would usually have 2 or 3 only. Those who could not buy granaries would help each other make it from scratch.
One granary would cost around 30-40 rupees and with the lid it would amount to 45.
Zoprie
The zoprie is a bamboo mat made to dry out rice for some time in the sun after it is threshed.
The rich would have more than 5-7 of them since they need to sundry a lot of rice.
Zhutse
Zhutse, it is a container like shape made out of a big tree. It is hollowed out and made to store zhu or beer. It is said that any alcohol drink tasted better. However now my grandmother repurposed it to a container which helps in ripening the bananas.
Many of them discarded their zhutse after they became sober and used it as firewood by my grandfather’s ancestors.
Chikhe
Chikhe is made of a very large wood used for pounding rice. This was also a status symbol since not many could afford to bring in a huge tree, cut it into its present shape as it was made of the best wood which was usually very heavy. It is still used to this day because of the craftsmanship that went into making it.
A ritual was performed before one started using it.
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