Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland, organised a one-day programme on “Sharing of Concept on Living Morung, Traditional Knowledge and Traditional Healing Practices and Indigenous Medicinal Knowledge” on April 20 at Council Hall, Hovishe village, Niuland.
The programme, attended by 150 participants from Hovishe, Kuhoxu and Hokuto villages, was conducted to document, promote and safeguard the intangible cultural heritage of Naga communities.
The event began with an opening prayer by Kaliho Awomi, women pastor, followed by a folk song presented by Hovishe village. Deputy director, Art & Culture, Teisovikuolie Therie, in his welcome address, spoke on the concept of Living Morung as a vital institution for transmitting indigenous knowledge, including traditional healing and medicinal wisdom. He informed that the department was creating a digital repository to preserve such knowledge.
Special guest, Kasheto T. Holo, shared a Morung narration on the role of village councils and traditional institutions in preserving healing practices. The cultural segment featured a folk tale narration by Atoni Holo and a folk dance by Kuhoxu village.
The technical session on traditional healing and medicinal knowledge was led by Dr. Hokuto, GB, who spoke on identification of medicinal plants and traditional diagnostic methods, assisted by Anghukali Jimomi and Kihikali Jimomi. Vikheyi Awomi of Hukhayi village demonstrated preparation methods and practices, assisted by Botovi Awomi and Vikato Awomi. Post-lunch, a two-hour demonstration on traditional healing practices was conducted.
