Tripuri Culture - Death Rituals

Death Rituals

The Tripuri practice for disposal of a dead body is by cremation except for that of a newborn or for a cholera death in earlier days. When a death occurs in a Tripuri family the relatives are first informed by the members of the deceased family. The cremation is deferred until most of the mourners arrive. First the dead body is bathed with hot water and dressed in new or clean clothes. The dead body facing north. Mustard oil and Tulsi leaves are put on the eyes of the dead body. The relatives who come to pay homage to the dead person place paddy, cotton, and flowers at the feet of the dead body. Some persons place coins, according to their means, on the chest of the dead body, with the left hand. A cock is killed at the feet of the corpse. Cooked chicken and rice in a newly made bamboo basket is offered up to the dead body.

The funeral procession proceeds towards the cremation ground, generally at the bank of river or stream. The adult sons have the right over anybody else to lift the dead body. The sons-in-law, nephews, lift the bier upon their shoulders uttering 'Hari hari bol' three times. Woman are also allowed to attend the cremation. A person carries the basket containing paddy, cotton, sesame and used chopper(damra). He sprinkles it onto the road ahead of the procession.

Fire-wood is arranged one over another and the dead body is placed onto the pyre with the head facing north. More fire-wood is placed over the body.

The eldest son reserves the right of touching the fire to the mouth of the dead body, it is called Hortanlaio. He takes a bamboo stick, the top of which is wrapped with a piece of cloth, dips it in oil and lights it. He moves three to seven times around the dead body taking the fiery stick in his left hand and carrying water in an earthen pitcher in his right hand. After encircling once he touches the mouth of the deceased with the burning end of the bamboo stick. Thereafter all persons attending the cremation place the fire to the dead body turn by turn.