Transformation Analysis
They saw that their old tribal deities and spirits had already lost much of their hold on the tribe, and could not protect them from economic woes. And then, they found their tribal deities and spirits were not a mach or parallel to the Christian God. And the children of Christian converts improved their education and economic status. The contribution of Christianity to Khongsos was freedom from the territorial spirits and demons. However, education destroyed much of their traditions that were part of the community living. Missionaries brought new individual way of thinking that was detrimental to community life. They forbade the people of the village to participate in the tribal festival and cultural activities which widened the gap between Christian and non-Christian in the community of Khongsos.
In the early stage after the coming of Christianity the Khongso people often lived a simple and practical life compared to the present sophisticated Christianity. As noted, earlier Christianity was brought to the people of Khongso in February, 1945 by Rev. That Dun, the Khongso Pioneer Mission of Thanthlang under Chin Hills Baptist Association and after that churches have been growing rapidly. With the advent of Christianity most of the traditional practices and beliefs have been stopped and forgotten.
But still there are some of the traditional practices rooted among the Christians even today. Smoking, drinking rice-beer and some of social practices are still upheld today. When a person visits another’s family, they usually give respect and welcome warmly by offering betel nut, tobacco, and rice-beer. These are a part of showing hospitality drawn from the former culture. These cultural elements were never considered to have any impact on spiritual growth, but are being practiced because of the traditional culture. Some people copy the example of the western culture on wine, which is being used in western countries as part of their culture. Even Christians do so due to their ill health and lack of self-satisfaction. It is for health reasons and as a cultural practice. Likewise, it is accepted that this traditional practice does not defile the body, and that it is not a hindrance for the spiritual growth in the Christian circles today.
In the , a lot of changes and developments can be seen both positive and negative, throughout her history. The coming of Christianity, along with the gospel brought many changes in their life-style, beliefs, ethical, moral, and religious thinking. At the same time, it also gave a negative impact to the Khongso such as dishonesty, corruption, and individualism. While the new generation has left some traditional customs, they also have adopted Western culture and life-style.
Before the advent of the gospel of Christ, the Khongso customary laws were strictly observed and maintained in the society. When they sacrificed animals to god or evil spirit, the priest would utter some words, and then rice beer would be served. But after the coming of the gospel of Christ, all misunderstanding and unforgiveness were taken over by peace, and harmony in the family as well as in the society. The cultural life of the Khongsos revealed that majority of respondents affirmed that Christianity has totally transformed the cultural life of the people, whereas some of them assumed that Christianity had changed partly but not entirely. The areas changed and unchanged can be seen in the following.
The chanting of some words by priest during the blood sacrifices offering was replaced by Christian prayer to a living God. Singing and dancing with the bottle of rice-beer was replaced by reading and praising song to eternal God with the Holy Bible and Hymnal books. Seasonal festivals and feasts with worldly pleasure were superseded by Christian occasions like Christmas, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and so on. The pre-Christian manner of social gatherings was replaced by Christian meetings; like Bible study, worship services, counseling etc. In pre-Christian era rice-beer or home-made liquor played an important role in the life of the people because it was used on every occasion. Quarrelling with one another and revengeful talking was substituted by praying, forgiveness and teaching one another. Marriage ceremony performed by local priest in the house was replaced by local pastor in the church together with congregations.
Despite the fact that Christianity brought about a near-total transformation in the Khongso life-style, some customary laws have been carried on. The efforts of the missionaries were not directed at changing the basic customs of the Khongso society presumably because they saw nothing much wrong with them. The customs and traditions found meaningless and harmful were replaced by persistent preaching. Thus, tea replaced rice-beer as a popular drink among the Khongso commonly. Animal sacrifices on ceremonial occasions, which were once an integral part of Khongso religious system, are now replaced by fellowship with God. But such tradition as the payment of bride price, making rice beer are still practiced and encouraged in some areas of the Khongso, and also other customs like smoking, chewing betel nuts, taking opium etc. are still prevalent in some areas.
The social fabric of the Khongsos, after Christianity entered into the land, has undergone tremendous change over the years. The gospel of Jesus Christ has changed most of the traditional beliefs and practices of the primal religious of Khongso. Some of the rites and rituals of the primal religions were replaced by the Christian rituals. The sacrifices to god or evil spirits were replaced by praying to God, and Christianity opened the eyes of Khongso to see the development of the world. But at the same time, the social living style of the West has replaced and influenced the people of Khongso today.
The traditional faith or religion of the Khongsos centered on the belief of a supreme God above all creation as the creator and sustaining God. In addition, they also believed in the existence and the powers of the spirits both benevolent and malevolent. As such, the religious life of the people is characterized by a number of ceremonial rituals and practices. The Khongsos observed a number of cultural beliefs and practices, which were a part of their day-to-day experience. These beliefs and practices were deeply imbibed into the lives of the people which regulated their activity and events. With the coming of Christianity in particular and other factors that followed thereafter, these beliefs and practices lost their significance, and are a past heritage now. And a new worldview led to the rejection of anything that was traditional and it conformed to the western Christian faith, and this ultimately led to the abandonment of animistic practices and beliefs. This new worldview made the people to understand Christianity as superior and more acceptable than their own primal religion.
The Khongso tribes received the Gospel through the mission work of Rev. That Dun after he came to Ngaleng Village, Matupi Township. Now, by the grace of God, most of Khongso tribals have become Christians. At present, there are more than 20 churches in Khongso area, with the motivation of spreading the Gospel message among the unsaved people.
The document is nuanced. It presents Christianity as both a transforming force and as part of a wider social shift that also introduced western patterns, individualism, and a loss of some traditional continuity.