- Sub-Tribes (Dafas) of the Halam Community
There is an argument regarding the number of Dafas of the Halam Community of Tripura. It is popularly accepted that there are 12/13 Sub-Tribes or Dafas of the Halam Community of Tripura. These Sub-Tribes are – Molsom, Hrangkhawl, Kaipeng, Ranglong, Sakachep, Chorei, Langkai, Bong, Dap, Bongcher, Marsaphang, Rupini, Kalai (Rupini and Kalai belongs to Kokborok speaking group).
The Molsoms claim themselves as No. 1 Halam in the long past and is believed to be true till today. In this respect, mention may be made that when the Halam tribe were invited to attend the “Hasam Bhojan” (Royal Feast) and other royal affairs, the seats of the different sub-tribes were serially arraged in the royal court. It is said that the seats of the Molsoms were placed first. Moreover, the Molsom Sub-Tribe alone makes 50% (Fifty percent) of the total population of the Halam Community.
It is also interesting to note that each of the Halam tribe is, however, consisting of some clans (Panchi). For instance the Molsom tribe also consist of 13 (thirteen) clans, such as – 1. Chhungphun, 2. Lengman, 3. Uisa, 4. Mapu, 5. Nawkham, 6. Nawmpawr, 7. Lorak, 8. Singar, 9. Achep, 10. Lungthung, 11. Dourai, 12. Tuisum, 13. Rawnte. All these clans (Panchi) are named after some natural objects. For instance, Chhungphun is named after trap; Nawmpawr is named after leaf; Nawkham after a fire; Achep after forceps; Lungthung after oven; Singar after a wild cat and so on.
As far as the habitation and settlement of the Molsom is concerned, they are found in different places of Tripura. Molsom settlement and population is found in almost all the districts except in Unakoti and Belonia districts of Tripura. Outside of Tripura few Molsom populations is also found in Cachar district of Assam, Mamit district of Mizoram and Chitagong of Bangladesh.
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Language history of the Molsom
There is neither written record nor other forms of written literature on the evolution of The Molsom language. However, hear says, folk songs and folk tales are the only sources of information on the evolution of The Molsom Languages. According to a Molsom folk tale, once upon a time, at the beginning of the human races, the supreme ruler of the earth allotted languages to each and every tribe of the earth. Some languages were written on stone plate, some on pulp, some on iron surface, some on leather and some on tree leaves. The Molsoms were gifted a language written on a green leave. It so happened that the careless chief of the Molsom forgot to take the language gift home and it was left outside the King’s palace. A goat came and ate up the leave on which Molsom language was written .Consequently, the Molsom language become unpopular and un-recognized.
The evolutionary roots of the Molsom language can be traced back to their original homeland and the environments they used to live in. in this connection, it is popularly believed that prior to their entry into the erstwhile Tripura Kingdom, the Molsoms lived in areas adjacent to Burma and Mizoram borders. It is believed that during their long period of habitation around those areas, and also as a result of their inter-action with the other tribes, the Molsom languages must have got shaped. Evidence to this assumption can be drawn from the wide ranges of language similarities present among the Lushais, Kukies and Molsoms.
Some similar vocabularies, between the Lushai and Molsom can be shown as Follows:-
Nu (Molsom)-Nu(Lushai)-Mother
Pã (Molsom)-Pa(Lushai)-Father
Lu (Molsom)- Lu(Lushai)-Head,
Kut (Molsom)-Kut(Lushai)-Hand,
Bu (Molsom)-Buh(Lushai)-Rice/Paddy
Kal (Molsom)-Kal(Lushai)-Walk,
Nãr (molsom)-Hnar(Lushai)-Nose,
Taksã (Molsom)-Taksa(Lushai)-Body,
Mẽl (Molsom)-Hmel(Lushai)-Face.
