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Mompunga, a Lushai chief, and Mr. Murray, political agent, taking the oath of friendship
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Mompunga, a Lushai chief, and Mr. Murray, political agent, taking the oath of friendship
Mompunga, a Lushai chief, and Mr. Murray, political agent, taking the oath of friendship, which appears to involve spearing an unsuspecting cow. Date: 1890
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Media ID 19885664
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Agent Burma Burmese Chief Diplomacy Feb20 Friends Friendship Killing Murray Myanmar Oath Ritual Spear Lushai
EDITORS COMMENTS
Mompunga, a revered Lushai chief, and Mr. Murray, a British political agent, engage in an unusual yet symbolic gesture of friendship in this photograph taken in 1890. The setting is the lush, verdant landscape of what is now Myanmar, during the height of British colonial rule in Burma. The ritual, steeped in tradition and diplomacy, involves the two men taking an oath of allegiance and unity. The intriguing image portrays them standing side by side, each holding a spear, with a seemingly unsuspecting cow in the foreground. The cow, a significant element in Lushai culture, represents peace and prosperity. The spearing of the cow is not an act of violence but rather a symbolic gesture, signifying the unity and bond between the Lushai people and the British administration. The act of spearing the cow together represents their shared commitment to maintaining peace and order in the region. Mompunga, dressed in traditional Lushai attire, and Murray, in his formal British uniform, stand as equals in this moment, demonstrating the potential for peaceful coexistence between the indigenous population and the colonial power. The photograph offers a unique glimpse into the complexities of diplomacy during the British Empire, where cultural differences were bridged through understanding, respect, and mutual agreement. This image, filled with history and symbolism, serves as a reminder of the intricate web of relationships that existed during the colonial era, and the importance of diplomacy and understanding in fostering peace and unity, even in the most unexpected of circumstances.
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