Back to Folkways: Folkways and Institutions of Zeliangrong Naga

Who are they? Where did they come from? What are their traditions and beliefs? Back to Folkways is a wholesome book about the Zeliangrong Naga tribal people as told by our forefathers who have gone before us and by those who live to tell the stories of the days of old. With exclusive illustrations, the book delves deeply and meticulously recounts the ancient beliefs and cultural practices of the four kindred tribes of the Zeliangrong people (Zeme, Liangmai, Ruangmei, and Inpui) that are slowly dying in this fast changing age of technology.

The book provides a brief account of the migration story of the Naga people as a whole from China to South East Asia and finally to the present northeastern region of India, and traces the origin and history of the Zeliangrong people. It discusses in great detail village settlement, the customary housing styles, and the rites and rituals associated with it. It also covers childbirth and death, and the rites and rituals practiced through different stages of life.

The book further describes the Zeliangrong Naga kinship system, its classification and terminologies, and discusses related issues such as adultery, fornication, alimony, widowhood, the value of a daughter, adoption of one’s household at another village, and the practice of hospitality towards guests or strangers. It also describes sin as per the ancient belief and the associated ablution ritual, and the status of the eldest male member of a clan.

The book also discusses the major institutions of the Zeliangrong Nagas, such as marriage and family and their types, the practice of teknonymy, office of the village headman, and the land holding system. It then touches upon one of the most significant festivals of the Zeliangrong people called ’Gaanh Ngai’, and several other topics.

The author is a Sociology lecturer at a Secondary School at his hometown Tamenglong, in Manipur, India. He is also the editor of a local daily called ’The Tamenglong Times.’ An enthusiast in art and music, he plays the violin and teaches music. He loves to observe human ways of life, especially the ’folkways’ of the common people. His love for simple human ways of life prompted him to write this book ’Back to Folkways’ to tell about the almost forgotten beautiful human elements of a society, as the world is fast changing and gripped by the age of technology.