Department of Art & Culture organised a one-day programme on “Sharing of Concept on Living Morung & Traditional Knowledge, and Traditional Agricultural Knowledge and Practices” at Bethel Baptist Higher Secondary School, Old Showuba, Niuland, on April 18.
The event aimed at documenting and promoting indigenous knowledge systems.
Delivering the keynote address, Deputy Director, Art & Culture, Teisovikuolie Therie, underscored the concept of Living Morung as a traditional institution where youth are imparted indigenous knowledge, social discipline, and agricultural practices by elders and community experts.
He said the department was documenting such living traditions to safeguard intangible cultural heritage.
Special guest, Y. Hopung Kussun, lauded the department’s initiative to bring traditional knowledge into public discourse and urged youth to learn from community elders.
GB K. Kehoto narrated the role of the Morung in transmitting agricultural knowledge across generations.
The main session on traditional farming was conducted by resource person, Nokrunba, who shared insights on seasonal and ecological indicators used in farming, while S. Shokum explained traditional crop selection and practices.
They were assisted by W. Lakiumong, M. Luyanba, K. Hilumong, and H. Thrunso, who gave live demonstrations of 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 experiences.
The programme showcased sustainable, organic, and community-led agricultural practices of Naga communities, highlighting how festivals, rituals, and the Morung system were integrated with the farming calendar.
The department informed that documentation from the event would be archived as part of its ongoing initiative to create a digital repository of indigenous knowledge.
