Umswai

Umswai is a village in Amri development block of West Karbi Anglong district in the Indian state of Assam.^[1] Apart from being home to an exclusive tribal culture,^[2] Umswai also possesses extraordinary natural beauty. Previously it was known as Lalung Hills/Tiwa Hills during Tiwa Gobha Raja's period.^[3]

Umswai
Village
Umswai Location in Assam, India Show map of Assam Umswai Umswai (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 25°56′50″N 92°14′25″E / 25.9472°N 92.2404°E / 25.9472; 92.2404
Country	India
State	Assam
Region	Hamren
District	West Karbi Anglong district
Languages
• Official	English and Assamese
• Spoken	Tiwa, Karbi, Khasi, English and Hindi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	782410

Etymology

The word Umswai is originated from the word 'Amsai', but due to difficulty in pronunciation by the Khasis, it was adapted and incorporated into their language. This resulted in the term 'Umswai' being officially recognized by the Assam government.^[4][5]

Geography

Umswai is located at the borders of the states of Assam and Meghalaya in Northeast India. It is known for its scenic beauty and natural environment. It is one of the many villages in the Umswai valley which is a cluster of villages,^[6] which includes the likes of Shikdamakha village,^[7] Umswai village, etc. and is mainly inhabited by the indigenous Tiwa tribe.^[8] It is located at 25.9472°N 92.2404°E.

In the early days when the gods and goddesses walked among men on earth, there was a great appointment that took place. The Sharipai Mahadew appointed Palakhongor as the Rajekiri Shongekiri, which meant he was the God of men and their land. It was believed that Moramuji was supposed to be appointed as the protectress of the kingdom, but because of the difference in gender, her son was crowned instead. Moramuji was the mother of Palakhongor. During the meeting that was held to appoint Palakhongor, the council of members sat on special mats made of fine cane strips, which were known as "Amsa." The Sharipai Mahadew was given the special power to appoint the Rajekiri. And so, Palakhongor was given the throne and became the Rajekiri. As they sat on the 'amsa' in a round table conference manner during the installation ceremony of the Rajekiri, the traditional chiefs - the Loro, Toloi, Shangtoloi, Shangmaji, Sangot, Phador, and others - welcomed him in a befitting manner. These chiefs were henceforth known as the 'Amsa Pinungeraw,' which meant 'people of Amsa Pinung.' And that is how Palakhongor became the Rajekiri, and the tradition of the Amsa Pinungeraw began. The Tiwa tribe considers an amsa as a valuable symbol of honor and respect, and it is customary for them to present it as a token gift during certain occasions. For instance, when the Tiwa people go to fetch the king for a religious ceremony, they must offer one amsa as a tribute to the Koba King. This practice remains in use today, and when the Tiwa people prepare for a religious event, they still bring an amsa with them to the market. During Mahadew's coronation of Palakhongor as the Rajekiri, he also appointed various gods and goddesses as council members. These included Moramuji (Palakhongor's mother), Thiristhongai, Bamunkhongor, Elankhongor, Phudumkhongor, Khatkhongor, Choskhongor, Rungsu khunguri, Samaimara, Khanimuji, Phulkhongor, and Mathombrai. Even today, one can still see Mahadew's footprints imprinted on the giant Palakhongor rock, as passed down by their ancestors. According to Sharipai Mahadew's ordinance, Palakhongor's kingdom stretched from the North, encompassing areas such as Watarmakha, Puktulisal, Chustimahati, Khunipari, Mindaikhat, Korkorya, Kawangkaphang, Mirankhai, Patulikungri, Udikhongor, Chapha orlong, Lenthermakha, Khusamakha, Taba, Kakra, Thuna orlong, Hudina (sonya hudina - ruphya hudina), Sinani, Porphang tangkhaw, Mandar uktha, Seraseri, Langorkho, Tumtumya, Rajakoi karati, Orlongkhamli, Somnawa kok, Thawlaw, Shunphang kharai, Amaikhon, Phramati puraia ti, Chomdar pera, Patparo, Khota paro, Rengmakhor, Hatimindai, Laisarikhongor, Naphlang mindai, Tikrum, Mindaiali, Nungthungpuri, Singarong, Phurimosor orlong, Amsenapsa, Amsenap paro, Taitu, Shikshirik, Umtalaw, Amthorla, Chortubi, Haphrew, Amkhatri, Orlongluri, Maikawa orlong, Mospham, Thilupari hajo, Sonya khawa, Ruphya khawa, Korkhea pana, Sonya Amchumai, Charamakha, and Langkhonsal. The Sharipai Mahadew's Dokduar, the Shamadi (Bachelors' dormitory), Thini thom, Thini phaw, Rui raja, Saras raja, and the habitat homesteads were also established in this area. The Shamadi or the Dokduar was the first living home for humans, built by the Sharipai Mahadew. The history of Amsai village can be traced back to its sacrificial altars and stone erections, which provide evidence that 'Umswai' originated from 'Amsai.' The Khasis could not pronounce it and hence transformed it into their language. To this day, Umswai remains recorded in the government records of Assam and Meghalaya.

—Oral history

Educational institutions

• Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Umswai^[9]
• Green Valley Academy, Umswai
• Martha Memorial School, Umswai

References

1. "Map of Umswai village in Donka tahsil, Karbi Anglong, Assam, India". villagemap.net. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
2. Soumya, Stories by (14 January 2020). "Umswai Valley – One Of The Most Unique Places To Visit Near Guwahati". Storiesbysoumya.
3. History of Gobha Kingdom
4. Thurang: Amsai kraine khai khorong Pg 40
5. This is an excerpt from the speech given by Sri D Uphing Maslai, President of the Reception Committee for the 11th TMT Conference, at Palakhongor Pera in Amsai on February 3rd, 2019. This text is taken from the Amsa-Souvenir of the 11th Tiwa Manthonlai Tokhra.
6. "Umswai (valley) (Chintamakha)". Wikimapia. from the original on 23 October 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
7. "Tourism". Government of Assam | West Karbi Anglong District. from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
8. "Of bamboo groves and monoliths". The Assam Tribune. 14 February 2021. from the original on 6 April 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
9. "Don Bosco India -". www.donboscoindia.com. Retrieved 19 December 2021.