A story of a professional Karbi mourner.
My name is Kajir Rongpipi. My native place is Timung Village, Parokhua, Karbi Anglong District.
On the death of a person, the role of ‘Charhepi’ [professional woman mourner] is to guide the departed soul to the ‘Chom-rongso’ [lower part of the abode of the deads], which is also the abode of ‘Chomkuru Sarpi’ [‘abode of the old woman of the deads’]. On the death of a person, the ‘Cherhepi’ would begin the
ceremonial ‘death rites’ with an emotional mourning for the departed soul. The Cherhepi would sing and mourn with deep sorrow and anguish from time to time, and that reflected the emotional distress of the departed soul leaving the world, who is not allowed to look back towards the earth. The Cherhepi would guide the departed soul all the way to the Chom-rongso [lesser part of the abode of the deads], and the departed soul shall remain in the ‘lesser part of the abode of the deads’ until the final completion of the ceremonial rites called ‘Chomkan’ [dance of the abode of the deads], usually held at convenient times after the death of the person. It is with expectancy that, the living look forward for early conduct of the ‘Chomkan’ rites, because the ‘Chom-rongso’ or ‘the lesser abode of the deads’ is only a temporary resting place, and besides this place is said to be a place of terror and chaos, and unless, the Chomkan rites is completed, the departed soul cannot cross over to ‘Chom-rongme’ [blissful village of the deads or the Eternal resting place]. Unfortunately, only a few well to do can afford to conduct the ‘Chomkan ritual Ceremony’ because of the huge resources needed for this whole exercise.
ceremonial ‘death rites’ with an emotional mourning for the departed soul. The Cherhepi would sing and mourn with deep sorrow and anguish from time to time, and that reflected the emotional distress of the departed soul leaving the world, who is not allowed to look back towards the earth. The Cherhepi would guide the departed soul all the way to the Chom-rongso [lesser part of the abode of the deads], and the departed soul shall remain in the ‘lesser part of the abode of the deads’ until the final completion of the ceremonial rites called ‘Chomkan’ [dance of the abode of the deads], usually held at convenient times after the death of the person. It is with expectancy that, the living look forward for early conduct of the ‘Chomkan’ rites, because the ‘Chom-rongso’ or ‘the lesser abode of the deads’ is only a temporary resting place, and besides this place is said to be a place of terror and chaos, and unless, the Chomkan rites is completed, the departed soul cannot cross over to ‘Chom-rongme’ [blissful village of the deads or the Eternal resting place]. Unfortunately, only a few well to do can afford to conduct the ‘Chomkan ritual Ceremony’ because of the huge resources needed for this whole exercise.
During Chomkan or ritual ceremonial rites, the image of the death person is re-created symbolically with straw and brought back to the deceased house from the funeral ground and the death of the deceased is re-enacted again with complete ritual ceremonial rites.
I believed in many gods and goddesses. My husband was a pagan ritual priest, my mother was a Cherhepi or 'professional mourner' and I followed my mother's footsteps and became a 'Cherhepi'. I came to realise that I was not in a good place. I began to think deeply about my faith and beliefs and pondered the reason as to why there is death twice in human life and I wondered, why god doesn't stop the 2nd death, if there be any god.
After some years, my husband began to lose control over the pagan spirits when performing pagan ritual sacrifices. In the process many of our family members died within a short time; we are 8 (eight) children but most died, only 3 (three) of us survived and I had 5 (five) children but 2 (two) of them died. My life was full of pain and sorrow and fear. My life as a professional mourner or Cherhepi made my life miserable and sad.
During the deaths of any family members, the Hem-Angtar [baskets containing pagan ritual items] or ‘pagan ritual heritage’ need to be moved outside the house immediately or the evil spirits may hurt someone. I used to be scared with my faith and beliefs. Though I believed in many gods and goddesses, my daily life was filled with fears.
I heard about Jesus Christ from others, but I did not open my heart and went my own way. I learned that prayer has power and can do everything, if one believes in Jesus Christ.
In the course of time, I gave up my earlier beliefs and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. Fear was suddenly lifted up from me, and I was set free from all manners of generational curses and bondages of evil spirits. I also came to realise that, we need to pray for our leaders, pray to heal our land, ask forgiveness for our leaders and kings and bless them; pray for the sick people, and other needs. All of these teaching come from Jesus Christ.
Friends, if one believes in Jesus Christ, the condition of our departed soul will be different because the 'keys of life' and death and heaven is in the hands of Jesus Christ. Our only faith in Jesus Christ will take us to 'Paradise' after death. The Chomkan or ritual ceremonial rites need not to be a routine affair, and the soul need not be caught up with 'Chomkuru Sarpi' or 'The old woman of the abode of the deads'. Faith in Jesus Christ will eliminate both the fear of being caught up with 'chomkuru sarpi' and consequent burden of the Chomkan ceremonies, which can last for days accompanied with heavy financial burdens.
In Karbi mythology, the creator Lord, - the king to Karbi people came to earth with great pomp and gaiety but in contrast Jesus Christ came into the earth in a very lowly manner; He was born in a cow shed and so, I pondered as to how Jesus can bring peace and healing to the downtrodden people. But during my days of affliction, I faithfully sought Him and found out that Jesus Christ
healed the blind, the deaf and the lamed. He is friends of the helpless and blesses their life.
People might have rejected Jesus Christ but today, I have peace only because of Him and I have no word to express my joy. He set me free from all the bondages that chained me from generation to generation and He transformed my life forever. Jesus came to bless the helpless people and to save the soul of mankind and He is God in flesh. If you believe in Jesus Christ, He will always remain with you; we don’t need to carry a bottle of wine inside our bag for emergency propitiation rituals to dispel evil spirits or other calamities of life, but Just pray in Jesus name and we shall be delivered, because He will send The Holy Spirit to protect you and lead you the way you should go.
The Bible tells us in Hebrew 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart."
God knows what is inside of you and ready to deliver you from witchcrafts and all manner of generational curses. He is ready to heal you and transform your life and your family.
In Mark 16:17-18, the Bible says: “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover”.
Jesus saith ….. I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)
If we believe in Jesus Christ, we will inherit Eternal life in heaven with Jesus.
May Jesus Christ give you the strength and wisdom to understand His Truth.
Thank you.