KSC anthropology students on study tour to Mopungchuket

Kohima, November 23 (MExN): Thirty three students of anthropology from Kohima Science College under the guidance of two teachers are currently camping at Mopungchuket village on a 5-day study tour. The 6th semester students under the supervision of Dr. David Tetso and J. Konyak, Assistant Professors at Department of Anthropology, Kohima Science College arrived to the village on November 20.  

The students are divided into five groups to study five specific subjects during their stay in the village – the village’s political structure, land holding system, impact of tourism, body mass index and blood pressure. The body mass index and blood pressure are part of studying the village’s physical index where they collect sample data of height, weight and blood pressure to determine the physical index. On the subject of political structure in the village, they study the hierarchy of the Putu Menden, its powers and functions and comparative study of the three ‘khels’ in the village. Their study also includes studying the cycle of 5 Putus namely Medemsanger Putu, Mejensanger Putu, Mopungsanger Putu, Kosasanger Putu and Riongsanger Putu.  

On the subject of land holding system, the visiting anthropology students are studying the land use pattern in the village including private land ownership, community owned land and clan land ownership. They also study about the ‘pok’ or cycle of jhum cultivation system of the village and whether the land is used for commercial activities or agro based activities.  

The tourism group meanwhile is studying the impact of tourism and future prospects of tourism in the village. They have so far visited tourist spots like Longrangtenem Park, Sungkotenem Park, Sashimeren Aier Tea Park, Morungs, Jina and Etiben memorial towers, museum and other sites of tourism interest in the village.  

This was stated in a press release issued by Akumyanger Lemtur, President, MALT (Mopungchuket Students Union).