Buddhist Communities (e): Turung Vernacular Architecture

Originally from the Turungpani in Burma, this small Tai group migrated to the state at the beginning or middle part of the 19^th C. They claim that they originally came from Mung-Mang Khasu-shang on the North-East of Upper Burma. They speak a Tai and Singpho mixed dialect for they remained as captives under the Kachins. There are altogether seven Turung villages in Assam with total population around 3000 (Gohain:2015).

The Turungs are traditionally stilt dweller like the other Tai groups and display considerable affinity to other groups in respect to architecture. The Turung households invariably possess an orchard called chon. The main house is constructed in the NorthSouth direction and they usually desist a house constructed in the East-West direction. They believe that illness frequently occurs in a house constructed in the East-West direction. Apart from the residential house, they construct a granary (mamdoom) and a separate prayer house (khringlik), if not attached to the main house.

1) Site Selection:

For the construction of the house, the site is selected through traditional process. To carry out the ceremony, first they split a bamboo with nodes to two halves. Then, three lines are drawn in the inner side of one half and keep seven number of rice in each of the divisions. Then it is covered with the other half and burry it in the proposed site. Next morning, things are scrutinized and intactness of the rice indicates the auspiciousness of the site while if there is an increase in the rice, then the site is regarded as most auspicious. In this way, the suitability of the plot is checked. This process is believed to be a development after their settlement in Assam (Burhagohain:2015).

2) Foundation Ceremony:

Turungs also start construction of the house with the ceremonial planting of the main post (nad- goon- suda). They arrange the Tung- chom worship or Aahaar-Puja on this occasion that takes place in the morning half. In this worship, cooked items such as rice, vegetables are offered by one of the main couple of the house in a bata (a traditional offering tray). The foods are prepared following norm, after taking bathing.

3) The Architecture:

The main residential architecture of the Turung is known as Bar-ghar or nungbong- ungta or ungta, which is traditionally constructed on pile. The posts on which the platform (chingkhren) of the house rests are called chod. Above the posts, first attach bamboo pole called ngora in lengthwise direction. Above the ngora, breadth-wise bamboo called ngouring is tied. Then above these, bamboo splinter called chary is tied. Finally, flattened bamboo matting (ching-khren / gadhoi) is added to complete the flooring of the house. After the construction of the floor, the walls (chokom) are constructed.

The main house usually has three separate parts. The initial open portion of the house is called nojan or dung- ron- sra, which is used to receive a guest. One reaches this part after climbing to the platform with the attached ladder (lakang). The lakang is usually made of wood that possesses an attached bamboo handle (lwucwum) . From nojan, a door (chingkhra) leads to the interior of the house. The other part of the house contains two rooms, separated by a partition wall (midin). The first room called yupsra is used as by unmarried or newly married boys of the house as bedroom. The inner room is the bedroom for the elder couple of the house. The houses possess a rear open platform also which is called bang.

The Turungs construct the kitchen separately either on stilt or on ground. The kitchen is called chad-chodoo-nota or pang-ta, which is constructed in the same line with the main house. The kitchen is attached with a separate ladder. The kitchen contains the hearth called dap- kop, above which a bamboo shelf called grap is constructed to season different items. They also construct another bamboo shelf called ninggun on the loft while a ledge (chifra) is constructed on one of the walls to keep utensils. An open platform called injan annexes from kitchen, which is the scullery.

Apart from the residential house, the Turung homesteads usually possess a barn (mamdoom) where they store the ears of paddy. The construction technique of the barn displays certain peculiarities. Thus, it rests on a circular platform made of wooden plank. Above this platform, the beams (dharani) are attached. They construct a separate cowshed, which is called unchu- khawk.

4) Beliefs and Customs Associated with House:

The Turungs regard the house as the place where their ancestors live as the ghardevata or house spirit. They believe that the house spirit or the spirits of the ancestors, known as Natgoon- Natfai, live in the main post of the house. This post remains to the eastern side of the middle part of the house or inside the first room. The Natgoon- Natfai is propitiated once a year through sacrifice of a piglet or a tender chicken. This ritual confines to the family members only and the head of the family performs the ritual in the presence of all the family members. The ritual takes place in the evening and the animal is killed through beating with a bludgeon after lighting of an earthen lamp. Then the liver of the animal is inspected and if there is no spot in it, then it is believed that the year will turn prosperous for the family. The family members then take the meat of the animal (Burhagohain:2015). They perform this ritual in the Buddhist fashion also, as they are presently follower of Buddhism. In Buddhist fashion, they offer food items (khaochoom) to the Buddhist monks who perform the ritual and do recitation of the Mangalacharan for the wellbeing of the family. In different occasion also, recitation of Mangalsutra is carried out for the wellbeing of the family.

The Turungs regard entering of honeybee through the western door as portent and in such incident, Mangalsutra is recited in the house. However, if a honeybee enters the house from the eastern door then it is regarded lucky. Similarly, if the white ant deposits soil in the house then it is regarded as portent but if the heap is conical then it is regarded as beneficial. Similarly, growing of mushroom inside the house, entering of snake in to the house, or sitting of an owl atop the house is regarded as ominous.

There is prevalent some pregnancy and childbirth related beliefs and practices around the house. Thus, during the pregnancy, the husband performs the task of crossing the house carrying an ural (wooden mortar). While after the childbirth, a hearth is established in the room of the woman to keep the room warm. After the birth of a baby, the placenta is sometimes buried behind the main post of the house. On the seventh day after the birth, the baby is formally descended through the lakang to ground following an elaborate custom. After getting down, the father says that his son, like the ancestors has descended through the golden ladder to rule the earth. During another occasion called “bahir-darshan-karowa’, different rituals are performed near the ladder of the house.

5) House Warming Ceremony:

The house warming ceremony of the Turung displays certain resemblance to the house warming ritual of the Khamyangs and the Aitons. Thus, on an auspicious day, the head of the family enters the house with a container full of rice and a pitcher full of water where guests are invited. Then, there makes a fire in the dap- kop and cooks the rice brought. Then, the Tung- chom worship is conducted with this cooked rice inside the house.