Officials and participants of “Living Morung & Traditional Knowledge” programme at Old Showuba on April 18.
Niuland, April 18 (MExN): The Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland organised a one-day programme on “Sharing of Concept on Living Morung & Traditional Knowledge, and Traditional Agricultural Knowledge and Practices” on April 18 at Bethel Baptist Higher Secondary School, Old Showuba, Niuland. The event was held to document and promote indigenous knowledge systems.
The programme commenced with a prayer by Rev B Tochumong, Pastor, SBC, followed by a folk song presented by Shorih Cultural Club.
In keynote address, Teisovikuolie Therie, Deputy Director, Art & Culture, highlighted the concept of Living Morung as a traditional institution where youth are taught indigenous knowledge, social discipline, and agricultural practices by elders and community experts.
He stated that the Department is documenting such living traditions to safeguard intangible cultural heritage.
The programme showcased sustainable, organic, and community-led agricultural practices of Naga communities, with emphasis on how festivals, rituals, and the Morung system are integrated with the farming calendar. Documentation from the event will be archived as part of the Department’s ongoing initiative to create a digital repository of indigenous knowledge. The Department of Art & Culture is conducting documentations programmes to promote, preserve and propagate the diverse cultural traditions of Nagaland, Therie stated.
Y Hopung Kussun, who attended as special guest, appreciated the Department’s efforts to bring traditional knowledge into public discourse and encouraged youth to learn from community elders.
The cultural segment included a folk tale narration by R Tokam GB, and a folk dance by Loyilo Cultural Club.
K Kehoto, GB, presented a narration on the role of the morung in transmitting agricultural knowledge across generations.
The main session on traditional farming was conducted by resource persons, Nokrunba who shared insights on seasonal and ecological indicators used in farming. S Shokum explained traditional crop selection and practices. W Lakiumong, M Luyanba, K Hilumong and H Thrunso gave live demonstrations of traditional methods including slope-based cropping, use of indigenous tools, and seed preservation techniques.
A hands-on demonstration of traditional farming practices was held in the afternoon, followed by an open discussion where participants shared their experiences.
Certificates were distributed by Teisovikuolie Therie while vote of thanks was proposed by Visezolie Paphino, LDA.
