The Lusai tribe is a small group of people who live in the eastern regions of Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. They are descendants of the Mongolian people and are known for their jump training in the highlands. They are named after the Lusaids’ Lusai Hills and are referred to as “Kugi” by the Chakmaras, “Langi” by the Marmaras, and “Shikam” by the Tripuras. The Lusai are one of the 45 small ethnic communities in Bangladesh.
The Lusai people are followers of the Christian faith and live across three hilly regions in India, with a significant population residing in Mizoram. They celebrate Navanna with a festival called Chapchar Kut. Unfortunately, their language, culture, education, and economic well-being face serious challenges. The Lusai social structure is mostly patriarchal.
The Lusai ethnic group in Bangladesh is facing the threat of extinction, with a total population of less than two thousand. Most live in Mizoram’s Lusai Hills, and many reside in the Sajek Valley of Baghaichhari Upazila, Rangamati Sadar and District Sadar, and Ruma of Bandarban, Bangladesh. They recognise themselves as descendants of Mongolian people.
Marriage:
After converting to Christianity, observance of Christian customs was made mandatory in Lusai marriage ceremonies. The choice of the bride and groom does most marriages. However, the marriage ceremony is completed with the consent of the parents of both parties.
In the Lusai society, the pre-requisite for accepted marriage is the ‘Inneihoyna’ ceremony. Through this ceremony, the Lusai are married. A couple acquires the right to live together civilly and beget children through physical intercourse. Following the above procedure, Except in the Lusai society, the physical union between a man and a woman and the birth of a child are considered illegal as they are not socially acceptable.
According to the social conventions of marriage, the betrothed proposes to the bridegroom’s guardian through ‘Palah’ (ghatak). If the bride’s guardian agrees, the bride’s grandfather or father (depending on the bridegroom’s request) needs to be informed. The betrothed is responsible for paying cattle or an appropriate substitute as the bride price. If the bride cannot pay the bride price, she will incur a debt that her child or grandchild must pay. The bride’s party is held on the day when the bridal price is paid (known as maran in Iran), which also determines the innehayna. This is when the groom arrives to conclude the innehayana, and the bride and groom meet one month after the ceremony, after which the bride moves to the groom’s home. Nowadays, Lusai brides and grooms follow Christian traditions and get married by disclosing the ‘Ban’ in the church. In the Lusai culture, marriage (inneih) is mandatory at puberty, and the Christian tradition does not allow multiple marriages.
Social Customs and Festivals:
The Lusai community celebrates social and religious events, including three major festivals each year: Chapcharat (Spring Festival), Meembhuta (remembrance of the deceased), and Palakrit (harvest festival), as well as Chapchar Kut, Minkut, and Pal Kut. They have developed unique music and dances related to their farming practices. Additionally, after concluding the Jum rice harvest, they celebrate Monkat Utsava after completing grass mowing in Bharum and Chapchar Kut.
After conversion to Christianity, the body was buried. Young people are grave Prepares and bury the dead person’s name, date of death and village etc., on a stone in the ground over the grave. The Christmas festival lasts for about a week. Prayers, cake cutting, dancing and singing are the joys of the festival Lusai community. Lusai Palliguru becomes joyful around the big day. The churches are decorated in different ways.
In the morning in the church in, the church’s big day festivities begin with prayers. Lusai Bari Church in Bandarban City, Fatima Rani Catholic Church, Kalaghata Tripura Morning prayers in honour of Jesus Christ are organised at various places, including Para-Church and New Bridge ECB Church. Chimbuk near the city On the big day, there is a flood of festivals in the neighbourhoods of the Bam community, including Farooq Para, Laimi Para, and Gasmoni Para in the hills. Everyone wears new clothes and goes to church, and participates in prayers. Feasts are organised in every neighbourhood.
Modernity has also come in the dress of the community.
According to Margaret Lusai, the Lusai people were once vegetarians and believers in animism. They believe in ghosts, evil spirits etc.
Used They worshipped the head and worshipped the river by giving animals to the ghosts and deities. In the past, the Lusairs lived in different villages according to their own rules.
He worshipped gods and goddesses. Later Christianity spread among the Lusaids. Currently, 100% of Lusai are Christians.
Folk Beliefs:
William Lusai told Sukhbar Bangla that the Lusai people believe that after someone’s death, the deceased’s soul is called ‘Mithikhua’. They live in Mritpuri. Everyone’s karma will be judged during his stay in Mithithua. According to karma, they are in gold (pial ral). Can go The month of August is considered to be the standard for leaving the world and going to Mithikhua (Thi Tin Thala). So in August, in Lusai society, No marriage ceremonies or entertainments are held.
The Lusai is a modest community. They reside in the eastern parts of Bangladesh, northeastern India, and Myanmar. This is the Mongolian population. Identifies as descendants. The majority of them perform leap training in the mountains. Their name is derived from the Lusai Hills of the Lusaids.