Diphu :  A three-day conference on ‘Oral tradition of the Karbis with a focus on the legendary character Kajir Ronghangpi – The Rhinoceros lady’ began at the conference hall of Arboretum-cum-Craft Centre, Diphu yesterday.

The symposium has been organized by the department of Art & Culture, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in alliance with Assam University Diphu Campus and Diphu Government College. The event is part of the annual celebration of ‘The Rhinoceros Lady’ that is observed on 5th December each year.

On the second day around a number of scholars presented their paper on this subject matter, the majority of the speakers tried to establish the phenomenon from some realistic findings to shed light on the subsistence of Kajir Ronghangpi from various interrelated matters. Professor Romesh Kathar presented a video of the supposed birth place and the water area where Kajir Ronghangpi ended her earthly existence.

Tuliram Ronghang, Chief Executive Member of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council in his inaugural speech spoke about the parables of Kajir Ronghangpi.

Oral tradition of the Karbis has to say that Kajir Ronghangpi was raised by the divine powers; she was taken by God from the earth and she grows among Gods and Goddesses. After achieving spirituality and being conferred with divine influence; she comes again to earth to look for her parents and Brother Khoi Ronghang.

She carried paddy seeds and a rhinoceros to toil the earth, oral history says that she is the daughter of Harpokang or Hok Ronghang. Kajir Ronghangpi is said to have restructured her father’s province in and around present-day Kaziranga National Park.

Well-known educationists Dharamsing Teron, Director of Centre for Karbi Studies; Elwin Teron; Dr Vulli Dhanaraju of Assam University, Executive Member of council Surjya Rongphar were present at the opening ceremony of the symposium.