Morung Express News
August 30
DIMAPUR: The Morung (bachelor’s dormitory) of the Nagas, is perhaps one of the most endearing and significant traditional institutions that symbolized the values of ownership, tradition, societal resilience and independence of the bygone Naga society.
Resource persons at the two-day seminar on the Morung organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre which got underway at the NEZCC office at 4th Mile today acknowledged the inherent strengths of the ancient institution and the need to preserve its values as they revisited the principles and components of the pastoral institution.
In the first session, scholastic papers were presented by three noted personalities analyzing the nature and apparatus of the Morung. Dr. Pangjung, retired DHS, in his discourse titled ‘Aruju’ (Morung in Ao Naga) pointed out the Aruju as being a social institution where male youths were taught the values of hard work, respect for elders as well as provide education focusing on discipline. He said that it enforced strict discipline like that of modern military academies and also instilled in youths appreciation for their own societies. Dr. Pangjung however said that a sudden and sustained exposure or contact with external influences had brought about a decay, disappearance and eventual extinction of the primitive institution and culture.
Father William Nepuni, presenting his paper stated that the Morung contained all the ingredients of modern understanding of education which can be taken as one of the best forms of schooling even in the modern contexts because human behavior was taught and learnt. He elaborated on ‘Spinster’s dormitory’ the feminine equivalent to bachelors’ dormitory. Fr. Nepuni affirmed that the institution concerned with human relationships, community living and imparting human values for life. Dr. Orestes Rosanga from Mizoram presenting his paper drawing similarities with ‘Zawlbuk’ (the Mizo’s morung) to the Naga morung also shared on the values of community living and its role as a model for learning ethical principles.
“The Zawlbuk as a traditional institution had a far reaching impact on the Mizos. All that had been learnt from it could have been handed down through oral traditions” he said.
In the second session L Among Phom elaborated on the functions, observance, construction, memberships as well as ritual performances of the ‘Bang’ (Phom Morung).
Rabinesha Kishore from Tripura also shared on Tripura’s Morung ‘Jainok’ drawing similarities with the Morung system of the Nagas saying that the Jainok was not only a place of learning but also an institution where youths learnt different trades and activities. The last paper for the day was presented by Sahana Marak who elaborated on the social and religious functions of the ‘Nokpante’ of the Garos.
The resource person elaborated on the Nokpante as being a religious, cultural, agriculture and a community centre as well as for providing training on arts and defense.
Earlier in the day Talinokcha Deputy Director NEZCC delivered the welcome address. The keynote address was given by Professor A Lanu, NU while the first session was moderated by Dr. Ninghorla Zimik. The moderator for the session was Fr. William Nepuni. The seminar will be winding up on August 31 with two sessions.
