MUROW MUNG & JAW RUM
MUROW MUNG:
Shaped like a palm of a hand (Haath Josto). What does Murow mean? Why is this one Mung?
JAW RUM: Shaped like a Talo (Mat) It flies like Batarnay jostai- like a carpet it would flap and twist continuously. What does Jaw mean? Why is this one Rum?
Both Jaw and Muro Mung fly and are especially active in the winters. They usually fly close to the land surface. Their area of origin is said to be from a black pond located somewhere in Naga, North Sikkim. Some say they come from the base of Kongchen Chu. It usually comes down hovering over the river on a clear night to drink water from the Teesta. They both fly with a loud sound (helicopter?)
Whenever one encounters this Haath jostai and Batarnay jostai, one should hide immediately. Since they travel at night, their victims mostly therefore are the fishermen who would be out at night or very early mornings. One should avoid touching the water when faced with such a sight, it is said that they would be paralyzed instantly. It is also advised to not look at them, run underneath a big boulder or a stone and hide immediately. Its also said that if caught in the middle of nowhere, the fishermen can wrap themselves with their fishing net and duck as these Rum fly by. The net would act as a protective tool or layer saving them from their wrath. One should also not walk on the early morning dew, barefoot. They should only do it after the sunrises. Apparently it could have effects from the visit of these two Rums.
Between the two, Murow Rum (Haath Josto) is less harmful.
Anum Ongcho Lepcha of Passingdang, also narrated an experience he encountered when he was fishing in the early hours, somewhere in Sangklang?
Anum Ongcho’s story: (Rough Account- I have recreated it out of my memory!)
On one of his fishing trips at night, he felt immense lethargy and with every step he took, it felt heavy. The pull of the earth was extra that night. He was a rookie, with a senior in front of him guiding and teaching him the tricks of the trade. As they both moved along the boulders of the river, the distance between the two increased. Anum Ongcho was unable to maintain the pace, all he could faintly see was a silhouette of his master fading in front of him. He is trying very consciously to catch up but his steps felt heavier and heavier. This is when he heard a loud sound which he claims to be the Jaw Rum. It came from a distance and very swiftly it was nearby and above him. He felt the heaviest, all energy was sapped out of him and he felt drowsy. Everything slowed down, and a deep fear came from within his being. He in spite of this, remembered the protective powers of his fishing net and flung it over him before going into a full shutdown collapse.
He says he woke up much later, when his partner or teacher, who was more experienced, came back looking for him. He knew the danger of this and hid himself well. When he thought it was safe to come out, he came back looking for Anum Ongcho. They both waited for the sunrise and went about their ways. Also when the light came, they realized that a big graveyard was right next to the area of the incident.
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