The Mystery of Elephant Foot (Rampwang Ket)

Ra-ah or Ijei river as it is known is an important tributary of the Barak river in Manipur. This river in the upper riparian area acts as a border between Tamenglong district (now Noney) and Senapati district. The river originates in Inpui territory and flows southward encircling Inpui land before joining Lingkwa at Noney. Important sub-tributaries of Ra-ah are Sensi kwa, Tuipui kwa, etc. Ra-ah since time immemorial has played as an important lifeline, in terms of its supply of fish and edible plants that grow on its river banks. Other rivers that run in Inpui area are Lingkwa and Tuilangkwa (Iring and Irang) and other sub-tributaries.

Inpui as a tribal society has certain sets of belief which are similar to other tribal’s worldview. The belief in a supernatural being can be exemplified by the existence of two stones known locally as Rampwang ket (Elephant foot), which resembles an elephant foot and the belief therein that touching or shifting the location of the stones knowingly or unknowingly brings forth heavy rain and often accompanied by thunder and lightning. These stones considered bad omen are believed to be male and female. 

No one knows who first stumbled upon such mystery but it is commonly understood by the locals that the stone was first to encounter during community fishing which is a common practice in Inpui society. And usually, so the most common experience of elephant foot sightings are during the annual community fishing. Among the two, the bigger one which is shown in the picture is considered to be dead and the other which is often elusive is smaller in size and is believed to be active.

Rampwangket which is believed to be dead.

Whenever people see this/these stone (s) much care is taken not to touch or shift its location as it will bring heavy rain until the river water covered the stone fully and ceded back to its normal flow after carrying away the stones to a different location. Information on the cause and effect after encountering this stone (s) can be gathered from the surrounding villages like Inthan (Waphong), Pungmon, Haochong (Pantong), Ijeirong (Tuilimon), Puichi (Inche/Oktan), etc. And those families who have wet water fields around the river basins have seen this phenomenon quite often. Some experiences shared can be real and horrifying if the case is true. This phenomenon has often eluded scientific explanation but can somehow be corroborated with myth and superstition of the society. 

Inpuis believe that some water sources or deep rivers are an abode of evil spirits. But this stone (s) though perceived to have enormous power is not worship or revered. It continues to haunt common knowledge and understanding as to how a normal stone can create fear and apprehension. These stones remain a mystery in itself and the question of belief in some existence of supernatural power loom large. The myth is yet to be debunked. In order to answer some basic questions, further study is being carried out.

NB: This article was published in Kala-Khwanbaang 2015, an annual magazine of Inpui Students'Union, Delhi (ISUD)