Homepage     Newsletters 

Fransalian International

"Be what you are, Be at its best!"      - St. Francis de Sales

Editorial  Introducing the MSFS St. Francis de Sales  Fr. Peter Memier MSFS in St. Lucia  Fr. Louis Favre General Assembly 1997  Wellspring Fransalian Media Centre  Suvidya College     VISAKHAPATNAM PROVINCE Congress of the FRANCE-SWISS PROVINCE NAGPUR PROVINCE PUNE PROVINCE SOUTH-WEST PROVINCE NORTH-EAST INDIA TANZANIA Vol. 1  January 1999

Fransalian International

Umroi is a small village, just 30 km away from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. It is in Umroi the Shillong airport is situated. The majority of the people of this area belongs to Khasi tribe which is one of the major tribes of Megghalaya. It was a long cherished desire of the province to begin a Minor Seminary in North-East itself. It was the great desire to promote local vocations that enthused the Province to take the risk. After purchasing the land on 20 December 1996, a house was built and named Lum Mermier (Mermier Hill).

The people of the North-east India area are mainly Mongoloid race.  On the basis of certain commonalities like socio-cultural similarity, linguistic affinity, ethnic affiliation and common territory, these tribes are conveniently divided and settled in different regions.  The Boros, the Khasis, the Arunachalis, the Nagas, etc., are the major tribes of this region and they have a number of sub-tribes.

1. ANGAMI

Originally Angamis belong to the Tibeto-Burmese family of the Mongoloid race. They are mainly situated in the district of Kohima in Nagaland. The total population of Angamis as per the 1991 census is 604,845. Mainly they celebrate the festivals of Sekrengi, Gnongi, Thekrangi, Tsungo, and Thezukpfpu. The language spoken by the Angamis is called Angami. They have a village set up and these villages are situated on the top of the hills due to the wars in the ancient times. In the ancient times, before the arrival of Christianity in this area, they were great warriors and were known for head hunting. In the villages they live as a united family. Their houses are made up of wood, bamboos, tin or thatches. The Angamis are known for farming and cultivation. The traditional dress is called Shiini. They also wear shawls and ornaments.

2. THANGKHUL

Tangkhuls belong to the Ukhrul district of Manipur. In the ancient times they were living in thick forests worshipping trees and mountains. They were using bow and arrow for hunting. They also used them for fighting. They cultivate mainly paddy, maize and millet. Like Angamis their houses are also made of tin, thatches and bamboos. They speak the dialect Thangkhul. which has no script of its own. They live together in villages and the village headman is called Veo.

3. MAO

The Maos are said to be originated from the Mongolian race. Maos are a sub-tribe of Naga and they are found in Manipur especially in the district of Senapati. Physically they have medium heights, straight hair and brown complexion. The Maos speak the dia­lect, Mao. Pork is their delicacy and they take rice beer. They use symbols like spear, shield, buffalo head etc. They have a patriarchal system of family, and live in villages.

4. POUMAI

Poumai is another peculiar tribe that we find in the state of Manipur. Poumai is a sub-tribe of Mao Naga. The Poumais are mainly concentrated in the Senapati district of Manipur. They live in villages and each village has its own headman. The Poumai tribe is divided into three circles according to the geographical locations - Lepaona. Paomata and Chiliivai. The main occupation of this tribe is agriculture. They cultivate rice millet, potatoes, cabbage and some other food crops. Fishing is another great source of income for the Poumais. Their main food is rice and they also take rice beer. The important festivals are Paoki, Laoni and Dolouni. They have Pula as their dialect which has no script, but follow the Roman script. They live in villages, and the village headman is called Veo.

5. GARO

It is believed that Garos are migrated from Tibet. There they had a flourishing kingdom which was later destroyed by Chou, and that was the beginning of their diaspora. Today the Garos are found in the Western part of Meghalaya, in Garo Hills. True to the name, the area is full of mountains and high ranges. It is the matriarchal form of family that makes the Garos different from the other tribes of North-East. The Garos have a brown complexion. They seem to be rather tall. They also have flat nose and small eyes. The Garos speak Garo, but there is variation in dialect from one region to another. They cultivate mainly paddy, banana, vegetables and pineapples.

6. BORO

This is one of the major tribes of North-East India. The Boros are found in Assam, especially in the districts of Kokrajhar. But they are very much spread all over the state of Assam. The Boros have got many sub-tribes like Kachari, Laloong, Rabha, Sonual etc. The ladies wear a dress known as Dokhona (long and side dress woven in the loom). Men wear Gamsa. Their main food is rice and they follow a patriarchal system of family. Their dialect is Boro.

7. KHASI

Khasi is another major tribe that we find in the state of Meghalaya. They live mainly in the districts of West and East Khasi Hills. Physically Khasis are very short in stature and brown in appearance. The Khasi men wear overcoat, shirts and pants. Women usually wear 'kyrshah' and 'dhara'. Rice is the stable food of Khasis. Pork is a delicacy for them. They also take rice beer. Most of the Khasis are farmers and they cultivate rice and potato in abundance. The Khasis also have got a strong village set up. Each village is run by a village head known as ‘Rangbah Shang'. The Khasis, like Garos, follow a matriarchal system of family.

8. ADI

Arunachal is known as the land of the rising sun. It is completely surrounded by beautiful hills and valleys. Arunachal is a state with thick forest spread all over the state.  There are almost 25 major tribes in Arunachal.  Adi, Tayim, Nyinyong, Apatani, Mishing are some of them.  Adi is one of the major tribes in Arunachal.  They are mainly concentrated in the West Siang district of Arunachal.  Physically they have medium stature, strong and stout body and brown complexion. The Adis are educationally very competent compared to some other tribes. They are excellent in the field of art, science and handicrafts. Adi is the main dialect of the Adis. All the major tribes have got their own dialects. But there is similarity among all the dialects. The Adis are a developing tribe with a lot of progressive men­tality and a great desire to progress in their culture and civilization. They also live in villages and the houses are made up of thatches and bamboos. The houses are usually made on a raised platform. They take rice three times a day and Mithun is their delicacy. Men wear tango (coat made up of wool), sabi (dothi made up of cotton) and bolup (cap). Women wear gali (shawl) and blouse.

9. MISHING

Mishings belong to the Indo-Tibetan group. Today they are found in the Maguli district of Assam. Their original home­land is Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishing tribe has got a great deal of similarity with the Adi tribe of Arunachal. Physically Mishings are very strong, medium in stature, and brown in complexion. Agriculture and cattle rearing is their main occupation. They also cultivate paddy, and take rice three times a day. They also eat pork in abundance. They sit in the centre of the house and eat together. Bow and arrow is the symbol of Mishing tribe. Mishing is the official dialect of the Mishing tribe and they follow the Roman script. Like all other tribes they also live in a very vibrant set up and the head of the village is known as Dolung.

10. NEPALI

Nepalis are immigrants to the North-East India in the early part of the 19th century. Nepalis are also engaged in agriculture and cattle rearing. The symbol of Nepali is a knife called "khukri'. Physically they are medium in stature and brown in complexion. Nepali is their language and it has got a script similar to that of Hindi.  But other than Nepali they also have many other dialects. Their houses are made up of thatches, tin and wood.  The structure of the house is two-sided roof, but two-storied. They take rice three times a day and mutton is their delicacy. They also take rice beer in abundance.  Men wear kurtha and women, sari.

11. ADIVASI

The original meaning of the term Adivasi is ‘original inhabitants’ or the first people.  Adivasis are found mainly in the Chotanagpur area or the Jharkhand region.  In Assam they are mainly situated in the districts of Dibrugarh, Darang and Nowgong.  Among the Adivasis there are a good number of Christians and the rest of them remain in their own traditional religions.  Adivasis consist mainly of groups such as Oraon, Dhan, Khadiyas, Munda, and Santals. The Adivasis are mainly farmers.  They are a very hard working group. They take rice and drink rice beer known as Hadiya. Men wear dhothi while women, sari. They follow the patriarchal system of family.  At present they are given better facilities in the field of education and social living. In the course of time they will be able to make greater contribution to the society.

12. LOTHA

Lotha is one of the major tribes in Nagaland.  The Lothas live in the Western part of Nagaland bordering Assam.  There are about 130 Lotha villages, Wokha being the headquarters.  Each village is on the top of a hill, and formerly ruled by a headman. Lothas are divided into many clans such as Humtsoe, Ovung, Chettry, Patton, Merry, Ezung, Tungoe, and Ngullie. The marriage is strictly between the clans and usually there is no intermarriage with the same clan. Lothas are one of the most charming people and very fair in their complexion, well built and very friendly in their approach. Formerly Lothas were animistic. They believed in the supernatural power which was beyond their understanding. The harvest festival, known as Tokhu Emung, is the prominent festival of the Lothas.  Rice beer known as Soko, is the favourite drink of the Lothas.  At present Lothas belong to one or the other Christian denominations.

Geoge Thomas Poovathunkal msfs

Fransalian youth mission believes that an empowered youth can transform the world. The youth need to have a clear aim for their life. The darkness of fear and uncertainty has to be dispelled. To serve this purpose Fransalian youth mission undertakes different activities like leadership camps, youth conventions, youth retreats, music class and specific 'reach out' programmes of catechises to the interior villages of the region.

The initial aim of the Fransalian youth mission was to cater to the needs of the Fransalian Schools and Parishes only. Now it has been extended to other dioceses and congregations too. Leadership camps are conducted at regular intervals in the schools and parishes with the aim of making the students aware of their innate goodness and qualities, to become effective and authentic leaders at the service of the society. Together with this, there is a clear need for giving spiritual orientation (education) for youth. Therefore retreats are also conducted for them. Fransalian youth mission has been undertaking special ministries in view of the 'Jubilee 2000'. It has already undertaken 'Faith Formation" programmes to the interior villages of the region. These programmes involve the participation of the local people and are conducted by the youth of the place in their own dialects by way of the Bible skits, role plays, tableau, songs, etc.

Fransalian youth mission stresses a value-based life. It is hopeful of achieving its targets with the support of the Fransalian Family.

Fr. Jimmy Mathirampuzha msfs

St. Francis de Sales Church, Silapathar, was started by Fr. John Palathungal, a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco in the year 1970. Formerly this was a sub-station of St. Mary's Parish, North Lakhimpur. In the year 1975 Fr. John Palathungal left the Parish and Fr. Varghese Kalarickal a Priest belonging to the Diocese of Texpur was appointed in his place. In 1976, Fr. Abraham Kuttiankal MSFS was appointed as the parish priest, beginning our work here. In 1987 Bishop Robert Kerketta, SDB, Bishop of Tezpur, entrusted the Parish permanently to the MSFS.

From 1976 till today many of the fathers have worked here earnestly to build up a good Christian community. This is the mother parish of four other parishes in this area and a strategic centre of the Arunachal mission as it is on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Our Arunachal Missionary activities started in 1989. Arunachal is a state bordering Assam.  It is a state where the missionary activities are forbidden. We started our work over there with the help of our hostellers. The response of the people is very good.

Fr. Job Karikkampally msfs