The origin of the word ‘Morung’ used by the Nagas to mean the traditional educational institution of early Nagas’ bachelors dormitory, has been traced to the Konyak Nagas and not an Assamese word as hitherto widely believed. This significant finding was first reported by this news-daily in its August 31 issue under the news item “Morung returns to its rightful place; ‘Morung’ a Konyak word”. This significant finding surfaced from a research by a cultural scholar A. Yanang Konyak from Tizit, Mon district. Konyak had presented his paper ‘Morung of the Konyaks’ at a two-day seminar, which was organized by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) Dimapur, and accordingly put into a resolution by scholars and researchers from across the northeastern States who had deliberated for two days from August 30 to 31 on the theme ‘Morung’ or bachelor’s dormitory. The resolution adopted formally declared that the word ‘Morung’ is not an Assamese term but originating from the dialect of the Konyak Nagas.
Many scholars have tried to bring out the root-word of Morung. Noted Anthropologist Haimendorf suggests that the word Morung was an Assamese origin while Naga writers, like Horam, Takatemjen and Rev Yamyap suggest it to have been of Ahom origin.
The scholar A. Yanang Konyak while presenting his findings has stated that the word ‘Morung’ was derived from an inadvertent misinterpretation which gave rise to the word. According to the findings based on documentary proof, following close matrimonial alliance, the Ahoms of Sivasagar frequently visited the Konyak villages and settlements. The Ahoms in their visits observed Konyak dormitories resembling the ‘Rangghars’ (out buildings or dormitories) in Sivasagar, Assam. The Ahoms then enquired if the dormitories belong to the Konyaks to which the Nagas answered “Mor-rang hoi” (“yes, my dormitory” [or house). The Konyaks thought ‘Rang’ in Ahomia meant ‘dormitory’ while the Ahoms on the other hand thought ‘Mor-rang’ (‘Mor’-My, ‘Rang’ -dormitory/ house) was the actual term Konyaks used to call their dormitories. Hence, the word ‘Morung’ took root and since then became the common word for bachelors’ dormitory in Naga. A.Yanang Konyak in his paper presentation has stated that he contacted representatives of different Naga tribes to find out if any of them uses the word Morung for their respective dormitory.
Yanang’s paper observes that all of them had their own specific name for it. For example, the Aos call it ‘Arju’, the Angamis-Kichuki, the Wanchos-Ban, the Phoms and Noctes-Bang and so on. The paper also states that the word Morung is used by the outsiders coming from the plain area only, particularly by the Assamese for Naga word. It is also observed that Assamese do not have Morung (system), and the word Morung is not found in their dictionary.
What could lend credibility to this latest finding is that the scholar from Tizit had undertaken research and contacted people from the other states particularly of the plains. While deliberating on the origin of the term Morung, it is also a opportune time to remind ourselves that the Morung system still remains relevant despite the dwindling of this traditional institution with the advent of westernization. The spirit of the Morung can still be embibed which can contribute towards harmony, welfare and peace of the community. The Morung can remain as a reference point for the history and existence of the Nagas in particular and also to mould every one of us as a responsible citizen and to give Nagas a sense of identity.
