DIPHU, July 28: A three-day international conference on ‘Oral tradition of the Karbis: Memorising Kajir Ronghangpi – The Rhinoceros lady’ is being held at the conference hall of Arboretum-cum-Craft Centre, Matipung.
The conference is organised by the Art & Culture department of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) in association with Assam University (Central University), Diphu Campus, and Diphu Government College. The event is part of the annual commemoration of ‘The Rhinoceros Lady’ on December 5.
The work of this meeting is auspiciously started with the chanting of the mantra of Puva Bhagat Karbi Kuruchara (Purehit) on Thursday. Thaka Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council chief executive member Tuliram Ronghang was the chief guest and inaugurated the international conference.
According to Janib Para, researchers and scholars from different parts of the world are expected to participate in this conference. I will submit a research paper on the existence of Kazi Ranghangpi and related issues.
According to the legend, she was taken from the earth and raised in the abode of gods and goddesses. After attaining divinity and being bestowed with certain powers, she returned to earth in search of her earthly parents and brother Khoi Ronghang. She brought paddy seeds and a rhinoceros to plough the earth, and she is believed to be the daughter of Harpokang or Hok Ronghang. Kajir Ronghangpi is said to have rebuilt her father’s territory in and around present-day Kaziranga National Park.
Prominent figures such as director of the Centre for Karbi Studies, Dharamsing Teron; litterateur Elwin Teron; Dr Vulli Dhanaraju; executive member (EM) of KAAC, Surjya Rongphar, among others, were present at the conference.
In an interview with the journalists, Tuliram Ranghange, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council gave a detailed explanation about the origin of Kaziranga and the significance of the legendary Ramani Kazi Ranghapi. The organizers are quite optimistic about this meeting