Traditional Life of the Moyons
Moyon tribe is located in the Chandel district of the state. Food and drink plays an important part in their social life. Rice is their principal food and they consume rice beer, which is obtained from fermented rice. The attires of the Moyons are of different colours and designs and they are related to their history and culture. They are all designed and woven by women from time immemorial. In ancient days, they prepared the yarn from certain plants and cotton they grew themselves. It took them time but they managed to prepare and weave for their needs. The traditional shawls worn by both men and women are called peen. During festivals, they adorned themselves with different types of ornaments. While performing the dance they would embellish themselves with beautiful ornaments and colourful dresses. Women decorated themselves with ornaments made of shells and animal bones. Men dressed up with headgear of tail feathers of hornbill which signified the promise made between their forefathers and the birds when they came out from the cave. There was also dormitory system only for the boys. One of the ways by which the customs and social values of the people are transmitted from one generation to the next is through folk tales and folk dances. Moyons have music and musical instruments which are used in different dances. Wrestling and hunting the mithun head are their main sports and games. They also had many Social Taboos.
