Pham Kho Sowai

Pham-Kho-Sowai (a harvesting festival) is a popular festival of the Bugun people. It is now celebrated on a fixed date, starting on 10 September every year.^[1] Pham-Kho literally means "mountain" (pham) and "river" or "water" (“kho” is a polysemy for any form of water), considered by the Bugun people to be vital components required for women's survival.^[2] Sowai is a synonym of word “Festival”. The benevolent gods manifest in the form of the mountain and river, giving life to the people. These mountains and rivers are primary source of livelihood. Festivity is an essence of any festival. Pham-Kho Sowai, as such, is a carnival of traditional dances, music, songs, games & sports, dresses, crafts and cuisines. It is an expression of unity and brotherhood among the Bugun folks.

Religion of Buguns traditionally is an unnamed tribal religion, which may be considered as a form of animism. But early 20th century witnessed the gradual penetration of some dominant religions like Buddhism (Mahayana) and Hinduism. Recently, a good number of Buguns had converted to Christianity. But still large portion of Bugun (Khowa) population are following their traditional way of animistic rituals and priesthood.

Priesthood: - Phabi (Priest) is an inseparable part of Pham-Kho Sowai. They are a bridge between men and various spirits. They enchant, pray, make appeasement with supernatural entities, and render their services for good of the people. They hold a traditional knowledge of communicating with spirits or deities. They can appease spirits of mountains, rivers, animals, tree, and sky and so on. Buguns traditionally believe that their problems and sicknesses, or fortunes are all related to supernatural entities and they can get rid of their problems only by appeasing these deities and spirits. Their well-being and sickness/obstacles are emanated from blessings and curse of these spirits. Thus, a deity can be both, benevolent or malevolent.

DIVINE MOUNTAINS (PHAM):- Almost all Bugun subgroups have different divine mountains:-

Hakhongdua’s divine Mountains: - (For Hakhongdua every clan has their own Mountain gods):

Kashi (Chiduni clan), Chassung (Khanam/Chitham clan), Sahun (Marphew clan), Mudam (Lagyang clan),

Braidua’s divine Mountains – Chharit-Pham, Sharua-Pham, Mafia-Pham, Dichi-Mango-Pham, Surung-Nyanyong-Pham, Dzumow-Pham Lachan-Pamey-Pham,

Hayindua’s divine Mountains – Wajiyong-Laakham-Pham.

Khuchundua’s divine Mountains – Mabuk-Mabai-Pham, Sathang-Manthaw-Pham

Hajidua’s divine Mountains – Lachiang-Pham, Wajyong-Pham, Lakham-Pham, Sidum-Pham, Bakho-Pham

DIVINE RIVERS/ WATERS (KHO)

Dugong-Kho :- (Female- also known as Chumu Damchu) i.e., passes through Salari-Dikhiyang-Sachida-Bichom.

Diying-Kho :- (Male- also known as Chumu Dangju Karma Sthong Barai) i.e., Tenga River. Passes through Singchung and Kaspi.

Kathong-Kho :- Passes through Bichom & joins Dugong-kho at Bichom.

Kachiam-Kho:- (A divine Rivulet of Namfri and Mangopam.

Thus, Pham-Kho Sowai is an occasion for communicating and appeasing deities and spirits, and anticipates good health, happiness, prosperity, success, and solicits sufficient harvest.

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