Description :The traditional technique of evaporating salt in Manipur is deeply endorsed with culturally assigned norms and social values. It is prepared in the form of a circular plate with five different sizes according to the nature of their uses. This traditional salt cake is locally known as Meitei Thumpak is used not only for domestic consumption but also for social ceremonies and rituals. Meitei believe that the site of salt spring is guarded by a goddess – Thum Lairembi who is the giver of these natural resources. Meitei salt is traditionally prepared by women under a shed called Thumsung-shang. The shed is traditionally designed with three sided wall and a longitudinal hearth (Leirang) with multiple holes for convenient use of evaporating salt. By collecting salt water from the site in a wooden reservoir (Thum Ukrong) it is evaporated on the pan and shaped like plates from the crystal powder. Shaping is executed at the rear holes of the longitudinal hearth by using traditional tool called Chilel (a brass made device).
Received From :Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya
DC Field
Value
dc.coverage.spatial
Manipur
dc.date.accessioned
2019-08-02T11:51:53Z
dc.date.available
2019-08-02T11:51:53Z
dc.description
The traditional technique of evaporating salt in Manipur is deeply endorsed with culturally assigned norms and social values. It is prepared in the form of a circular plate with five different sizes according to the nature of their uses. This traditional salt cake is locally known as Meitei Thumpak is used not only for domestic consumption but also for social ceremonies and rituals. Meitei believe that the site of salt spring is guarded by a goddess – Thum Lairembi who is the giver of these natural resources. Meitei salt is traditionally prepared by women under a shed called Thumsung-shang. The shed is traditionally designed with three sided wall and a longitudinal hearth (Leirang) with multiple holes for convenient use of evaporating salt. By collecting salt water from the site in a wooden reservoir (Thum Ukrong) it is evaporated on the pan and shaped like plates from the crystal powder. Shaping is executed at the rear holes of the longitudinal hearth by using traditional tool called Chilel (a brass made device).
Government of India
