Shirui Lily - Myths of Shirui Lily

Contributed by

R. A. Ngasaiphung

Principal
Pettigrew College, Ukhrul.

Ukhrul district of Manipur lies in the extreme North-East of India bordering Myanmar. The district constitutes the hilly region in habitat by the Tangkhul Nagas.

Ukhrul as best introduce by Lilium Mackliniae discovered by Mr. Frank Kingdon Ward in 1948. The lily is endemic to Manipur and in Ukhrul district it is confined to Shirui peak. Shirui peak is known as “Shirui kashung” to the Tangkhuls. The name is called so, as the creation of the mount is so high among many mounts in Tangkhuls (“Varena phungpha mida mashonshei eina shongmihaiya”). The peak lies at an elevation of 2500m. In fine weather Specially in the month of April and October the peak offers a magnificent view of Myanmar (Burma) and Imphal valley. Shirui hill has beautiful grassland on top and thick forest at the foothills.

Shirui kashung has three peaks. The highest is called “Shongrei” – where lily grows, the middle one is called “Sarum kateng” – here lies a spring where all the wild animal comes for drink. A hole is also there which is believed to reach “Ongshim ngayi” in Pushing village. The lowest one is called shongrã. Further apart from shongrei there is a small peak called shongshangh. The sides are steep like precipice. This is a home for many Blythii trapogon, one of the most threatened pheasant species.

It is belief that if hailstone falls on shongrei by January or February noblemen get good harvest. If the hailstone falls on shongrã the common men get good harvest. If the hailstone falls on both shongrei and shongrã both the noble men and common men get good harvest.

According to myth, the Shirui peak fairy “Shirui kashung philava” is the greatest among all fairies. The big lions are her dogs; all the wild boars are her pigs; stag and deer are her cows and buffaloes. All the birds are her chicken. Thus all the wild animals are her domestic animals. The saying goes on, as the hunters who are pleased with philava will kill the animals.

Few years back the lily is found growing and blooming in “Chingchui matha” a hill in Chingjaroi village. It is belief that the “Shirui kashung philava” marry the fairy of “Chingchui matha” and so the philava take the lily along with her and bloom there.