A Tsüngkotepsü is a warrior shawl created by the Ao Nagas of Nagaland. Traditionally, the Tsüngkotepsü could only be worn by warriors who had successfully taken the heads of enemy warriors,[1] In modern times, the right to wear the Tsüngkotepsü is associated with performing a mithun sacrifice, a demonstration of wealth[1] and are a distinctive symbol of the Ao Nagas.[2]
In pre-colonial Ao society, shawls were used as a marker of social status.[3] The Tsüngkotepsü was the highest-ranking male shawl.
Design and symbolism
The shawl is black and red striped with a single white stripe in the middle containing depictions of animals and other symbols and a brighter red region at the bottom.[2] There are symbols in the white region representing the sun, the moon and the stars, which represent the resulting fame of warriors who wear the shawl. There are also several animals depicted in the strip,[2] which are symbolic of the physical power and the valour of the warrior: a hornbill, a culturally significant bird whose feathers are used for decorative purpose in ceremonial costumes, is often depicted, as are mithun, which represent the wealth of the warrior. (as only wealthier members of the tribe could afford to rear mithun). A spear, dao and cock are common motifs in the section depicting the animals.[2]
The symbols in the white band are sometimes replaced with depictions of mithun, which also represent the wealth and success of the warrior, and there may be elephant and tiger pattern prints on the shawl to symbolise the strength of the warrior.[2]
Cultural impact
Various Naga ethnic groups are well-known for their shawls, and the Tsüngkotepsü is one of the most well-known examples.[4]
Every Time You Tell a Story
In January 2015, the filmmakers Ruchika Negi and Amit Mahanti produced a documentary about the Tsüngkotepsü titled Every Time You Tell a Story, which aims to document and preserve the cultural tradition surrounding the shawl.[1] The film was screened in March 2017 by the India Foundation for the Arts.[5] The documentary claims to "offer an interpretation of history, a way of understanding the shifts that this shawl-making tradition has experienced when confronted with the certitudes of history – colonialism, new religion and assimilation in the Indian State."[5]
^ abcDundoo, Sangeetha Devi (9 January 2015). "Wrapped in history". Thehindu.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017 – via www.thehindu.com.
^ abcdeRicha Prakash; Sharada Devi; D. Anitha (August 2013). "Handcrafted Shawls of Nagaland" (PDF). International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications. 3. ISSN 2250-3153.
^"CRAFTS of North-East - Textiles of Nagaland". Ignca.gov.in. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
^"Tsungkotepsu Shawls, Other Weaves and Textiles from Nagaland, India". Theculturemaze.com. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
^ ab"Every Time you Tell a Story - March 26, 2015 - Mumbai - India Foundation for the Arts". Indiaifa.org. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
January 06, 2023
tsüngkotepsü, warrior, shawl, created, nagas, nagaland, traditionally, could, only, worn, warriors, successfully, taken, heads, enemy, warriors, modern, times, right, wear, associated, with, performing, mithun, sacrifice, demonstration, wealth, distinctive, sy. A Tsungkotepsu is a warrior shawl created by the Ao Nagas of Nagaland Traditionally the Tsungkotepsu could only be worn by warriors who had successfully taken the heads of enemy warriors 1 In modern times the right to wear the Tsungkotepsu is associated with performing a mithun sacrifice a demonstration of wealth 1 and are a distinctive symbol of the Ao Nagas 2 Contents 1 History 2 Design and symbolism 3 Cultural impact 3 1 Every Time You Tell a Story 4 See also 5 ReferencesHistory EditIn pre colonial Ao society shawls were used as a marker of social status 3 The Tsungkotepsu was the highest ranking male shawl Design and symbolism EditThe shawl is black and red striped with a single white stripe in the middle containing depictions of animals and other symbols and a brighter red region at the bottom 2 There are symbols in the white region representing the sun the moon and the stars which represent the resulting fame of warriors who wear the shawl There are also several animals depicted in the strip 2 which are symbolic of the physical power and the valour of the warrior a hornbill a culturally significant bird whose feathers are used for decorative purpose in ceremonial costumes is often depicted as are mithun which represent the wealth of the warrior as only wealthier members of the tribe could afford to rear mithun A spear dao and cock are common motifs in the section depicting the animals 2 The symbols in the white band are sometimes replaced with depictions of mithun which also represent the wealth and success of the warrior and there may be elephant and tiger pattern prints on the shawl to symbolise the strength of the warrior 2 Cultural impact EditVarious Naga ethnic groups are well known for their shawls and the Tsungkotepsu is one of the most well known examples 4 Every Time You Tell a Story Edit In January 2015 the filmmakers Ruchika Negi and Amit Mahanti produced a documentary about the Tsungkotepsu titled Every Time You Tell a Story which aims to document and preserve the cultural tradition surrounding the shawl 1 The film was screened in March 2017 by the India Foundation for the Arts 5 The documentary claims to offer an interpretation of history a way of understanding the shifts that this shawl making tradition has experienced when confronted with the certitudes of history colonialism new religion and assimilation in the Indian State 5 See also EditNaga shawl Ao Naga NagalandReferences Edit a b c Dundoo Sangeetha Devi 9 January 2015 Wrapped in history Thehindu com Retrieved 5 October 2017 via www thehindu com a b c d e Richa Prakash Sharada Devi D Anitha August 2013 Handcrafted Shawls of Nagaland PDF International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications 3 ISSN 2250 3153 CRAFTS of North East Textiles of Nagaland Ignca gov in Retrieved 5 October 2017 Tsungkotepsu Shawls Other Weaves and Textiles from Nagaland India Theculturemaze com Retrieved 5 October 2017 a b Every Time you Tell a Story March 26 2015 Mumbai India Foundation for the Arts Indiaifa org Retrieved 5 October 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tsungkotepsu amp oldid 1104828346, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
