Microtoponyms and Oral Tradition: A Toponymic of Nagas of Khamsom (Kisumai) Village," by Daveirou Lanamai

"Microtoponyms and Oral Tradition: A Toponymic of Nagas of Khamsom (Kisumai) Village," by Daveirou Lanamai, explores the significance of microtoponyms (local, undocumented place names) in the Poumai Naga village of Khamsom (Kisumai) in Manipur, India. It uses ethnographic methods to understand how these place names reflect the village's cultural, geographical, and linguistic contexts, providing insights into the worldview and daily lives of its inhabitants.

Source: Tezpur University

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Key Aspects of the Paper

Toponymy as a Historical Depository

The study emphasizes that

toponyms serve as a rich source of information about settlement history, culture, ecology, belief systems, and topography.

Microtoponyms, specifically, are crucial because they primarily exist in oral tradition and are often unknown to outsiders, offering unique insights into specific communities. They are filled with meaning and values, acting as a window into the world of the people who inherit them.

Place Names and Identity

Place names are not merely labels but are imbued with meaning, values, and are constructed by people rooted in their culture, tradition, and knowledge of the land. They convey cultural and geographical information such as landform topography, historical events, religious practices, and migrations. These names reinforce a strong bond between the people and the land, serving as an essential medium to pass on information, emotions about their history and legends, and a means to educate the youth.

Khamsom (Kisumai) Village as a Case Study

The paper focuses on Khamsom (officially known as Kisumai Village), a Poumai Naga village situated in the Senapati district of Manipur, Northeast India. According to the 2011 Indian Census Report, the village has 255 households with a total population of 1772. Traditionally, the Poumai Nagas reside in three administrative zones: Paomata, Lepaona, and Chilüvai, with Kisumai falling under the Lepaona administrative area. The village lacks proper written historical documentation, making oral traditions and place names vital for understanding its past. The village name "Kisumai" itself is descriptive; in Poula (Poumai language), "Kisu" means ladder and "mai" means people, translating to "the people who established their village by climbing ladders". This refers to early settlers using ladders to cross huge and high rocky terrains, which later served as a fortress.

Methodology

The research employed

ethnographic fieldwork to investigate and explore socio-cultural and geographic elements of place names. Data collection exclusively relied on fieldwork due to a lack of archival sources. The primary method of data collection was through.

individual interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted between December 2024 and January 2025. Thirty informants (20 male and 10 female), aged between 20-80 years, were selected using purposive and snowball sampling techniques to gather diverse perspectives. The interviews were semi-structured, allowing flexibility to obtain insights into what interviewees deemed relevant and important. The researcher, being an inhabitant of the village, ensured initial contact was smooth while maintaining an objective research approach to avoid preconceived notions.

Significance of Microtoponyms in Khamsom (Kisumai)

Geographical Reflection

Many place names in Khamsom (Kisumai) village describe various physical features such as vegetation, landscapes, and waterbodies. Examples include:

• Ngaphü: Refers to a residential locality meaning "clear and bright site," situated on an open hilltop that receives early sunlight.

• Khuhouzi: A hill (zi) named for its similarity to the nose (hou) of a stag (khu).

• Houchu: Another hill named after the comb (chu) of a rooster (hou).

  These names also serve as mnemonic devices for navigation, reflecting knowledge about wild animals, vegetation habitats, and soil types.

  Paohurei (elephant stream) and Zaikhaolurei (saline spring stream) are examples where names evoke memories of past interactions with the environment, even if the features (like elephants or saline water collection) are no longer present today. Names like

  Laichitao (bee/wasp hanging on rocky cliffs) and Haobitu (hollow with gooseberry trees) indicate the presence of specific habitats and vegetation important for consumption or medicinal purposes.

Cultural Reflection

Place names are influenced by the social practices, belief systems, and moral norms of the people who named them. For instance:

• Kisumai Huphü: The name for the new settlement area established in 1960, signifies "site where Christians and indigenous believers reside together" (Hu = together, phü = plot/site). This reflects the integration of Christianity, introduced to Kisumai in 1940, with the traditional belief system as the village expanded.

• Bühu: This place name commemorates a legendary hero named Bü, one of the founding fathers of Kisumai, known for his bravery and strength. The story associated with Bühu, the site where Bü faced his final moment after being chased and killed by an elephant he vowed to bring an ear from, serves as a moral lesson about humility and respecting all beings, regardless of one's greatness.

• Savaphii: A locality within the village, named for its open space used for the celebration (Sava) of festivals and other public gatherings.

• Douluphü: The area where the village school is situated, meaning "learning (Doulu) site (phü)," indicating the purpose and importance of education.

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Conclusion

Microtoponyms are vital elements of local cultural heritage, containing geographical information on landscapes and historical accounts of the community. They act as linguistic and community identity markers, transferring memories, legends, and educational teachings through oral narratives. These place names are not only meaningful to the people who named and used them but also act as keepers of knowledge and constant reminders of their past, purpose, uses, and significance. Understanding their meaning is crucial for navigating the local natural environment, preserving language and culture, and promoting sustainable development and conservation.

Source: Paper