Yumsharol I The Art of Building a House
Yumsharol is the art of building a house in ancient Meitei Culture
Yumsharol is the art of building a house in ancient Meitei Culture
The Meitei people believe that a person’s wellbeing, fortune, luck and fate depend on the way they build their house. Hence, it is of great importance to carefully study the art of building a house and also to consult the royal Maichou (scholars/prophets) to decide on an auspicious day and also to determine the design and materials.
Yumsharol also includes an interesting account of humans and the relationship with animals in ancient Meitei Beliefs. It is believed that human life is guarded by eight animal spirits, collectively called the ‘Phamlon’, who take it in turn each year until the end of a person’s life.
These animals are:
1. Tiger
2. Elephant
3. Tokpa (Wild cat)
4. Kakyel (mythical giant bird)
5. Cow
6. Lion
7. Mouse
8. Snake
It is believed that building the house in the eras of the elephant, tokpa, kakyel, cow, and lion brings good fortune. The rest is believed to be inauspicious. Yumsharol is a very detailed subject with several rules and traditional beliefs once recorded and followed in ancient society. It is still studied by some priests and priestesses today, just for ritual purposes, but not so much by the modern generation. However, the concept of traditional house building is sustainable in nature and is a valuable indigenous knowledge form besides the superstitious beliefs.
