Sopfünuo : The mother and child who turned to stone | Angami folktale | Northeast India

Summary

This story from Angami land recounts the tale of Zenna, a devoted wife who, after being mistreated by her husband, leaves home and tragically dies. As she turns into stone, her spirit guides her father to find her, and with the help of villagers, they bring her back. A mysterious storm and a small stone left by Zenna’s chest signify the child she had to leave behind, believed to have been injured by her mother’s ribcage. The narrative blends love, betrayal, and mystical transformation, highlighting Zenna’s unwavering maternal bond.

Takeaways

• 😀 A man from Panay travels to a village and sees a girl named Zenna weaving, deciding she would be a good wife for his son.
• 😀 Zenna agrees to the proposal and moves to her husband's village, becoming a loyal and perfect wife.
• 😀 Zenna's marriage is envied by many women, who urge her husband to leave her, but she remains faithful.
• 😀 Zenna is blessed with a child, and her paternal relatives visit her, calling her Sopo.
• 😀 Despite her devotion, Zenna's husband begins to mistreat her and forces her to leave the home one day.
• 😀 Zenna quietly leaves with her baby, deeply hurt, without disturbing anyone around her.
• 😀 Zenna's father, worried by her long absence, travels to Panay and discovers his daughter's mistreatment.
• 😀 Zenna's husband reveals that she left after an argument, but her father later finds her dead body with her head turning into stone.
• 😀 Zenna's spirit appears in a dream to her father, telling him that she will turn into stone, not wood, and remain in the village.
• 😀 Zenna’s father and villagers try to move her stone body but struggle until they place a small stone near her chest, clearing the storm and allowing them to bring her back home.

Q & A

What is the main story about?

The story revolves around Zenna, a woman from the Angami land, who faces mistreatment from her husband after initially being a loyal and loving wife. Eventually, she turns into stone after a tragic event, and her father attempts to bring her back home.

What does Zenna’s name symbolize in the story?

Zenna's name symbolizes the central figure of the narrative. She is portrayed as a model of loyalty and devotion, but her transformation into stone represents the ultimate sacrifice and sorrow.

How does Zenna's husband mistreat her?

Zenna's husband mistreats her by forcing her to leave their home after an argument. This decision leads to her eventual death and transformation into stone.

What was Zenna’s role in her marriage before the mistreatment?

Before the mistreatment, Zenna was a devoted wife who showed unwavering loyalty, dressing her husband in beautiful clothes and making their marriage admired by the villagers.

Why did Zenna’s father go to visit her in Panay?

Zenna's father became worried when she had been absent for a long time. He traveled to Panay to check on her and find out what had happened.

What did Zenna’s father discover when he arrived at her home?

When Zenna’s father arrived, he found that Zenna’s husband was leaving with another woman and learned that Zenna had disappeared after their argument.

How did Zenna’s father realize that the body he found was his daughter’s?

Zenna's father recognized that the body he found was hers after Zenna appeared to him in a dream, explaining that her body had turned into stone. He understood the significance of the transformation after seeing the body.

What did Zenna’s transformation into stone signify?

Zenna’s transformation into stone symbolized her suffering and sacrifice. It was a way for her to remain eternally loyal and close to her village, even in death.

Why was the small stone left behind when Zenna was moved?

The small stone, which was found near Zenna’s chest, was believed to represent her child. It played a crucial role in allowing the villagers to successfully bring her back to the village, as moving it cleared the storm that hindered their efforts.

What is the significance of the spirit 'terot' in the story?

The spirit 'terot' is believed to have struck Zenna, causing her injury. The exact nature of the injury remains unknown, but it is a key element in the tragic end of Zenna's life and journey.