Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching and another speaker discuss the Lamkang origin story of coming out from the cave (Duti Pardii)

Elders who are experts in traditional songs and dance, including Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpi, Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching, Shangwar Dilbung of Khuibung, and Beshot Khullar of Phaidaam, give instructions to the dancers on the dance steps [kardaam] in the Charangching Khullen village.

Shekarnong Sankhil and Tholung Beshot of Thamlapokpi discuss Tchaan Yamluung, a musical instrument used by the Lamkangs and the Kachin people in Myanmar, who are also called red people and can be our people.

Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpi shares a song a man without sister would sing and the other woman from the same clan would be there to console him as the sister would do. Then he shared how the giving of “Saa Khuu” to the sisters were done in some eastern parts.

Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpi and Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching discussing the Chalong village's celebration of “Dilkoor” and how the first Lamkang meetings were held. They discuss how students union were started in the 1950s and the chief association-Law commission Yuman saa maan.

Elders who are experts in traditional songs and dance, including Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpi, Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching, Dilbung Shangwar of Khuibung, and Beshot Khullar of Phaidaam sing a traditional song called “Saa Kraang K’aai Laa", a song sung in celebration when a fierce animal, such as a tiger, is killed.

A discussion with Suungnem Bunghon of Leingangching, Tholung Beshot and Shekarnong Sankhil of Thamlapokpi about the names of villages which the Lamkangs abandoned and Kukis resettled there using the same names (Charangching Khullen-Khunkha). This was recorded at the seminar on culture and origin of the Lamkangs at Charangching village.

A discussion about how the “saakhuu” was given to a particular “Yur”, a sister from the animals they hunt. The sister can be one’s own sister or clan sister with whom they share the meat (saa khuu). The sisters in return would give the brothers a potful of wine called "Yu”, but nowadays they can give milk and sugar or anything that they can afford to show appreciation to the brother.

A discussion of the names of the months in Lamkang with Thamnung Sankhil Tholungnu of Thamlakhuren, for example how in the month of Purdun, the cows came home from the jungle. They were discussing how some say or name them differently in some cases. Later they discuss the elders from different villages trying to see who is from which village.

Dancers from various villages were invited to perform during the Lamkang Student Union [Lamkang Kurchuknao Kunpun] seminar. This a special dance called Likhaa Kardaam (The Drumming Dance), where the drumming is different from the other types of dance, a faster drum beat which allows the dancers to take their steps faster. All the dancers are requested to join the dance and they perform the Yaangkaa Kardaam, at Charangching Khullen village.

Elders from various villages who are experts in traditional songs and dance, including Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpi, Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching, Shangwar Dilbung of Khuibung, and Beshot Khular of Phaidaam discuss the tingtou, a bamboo mouthpiece musical instrument that one can use to compose any song or play any of their known songs. It is also mentioned that this particular musical instrument is given by men to woo the women they love.

Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching, Shangwar of Khuibung, Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpi, and unknown women discuss Tlingkhup, is the son Sinthling Arkoi Chapa named Rengpu is the young guy belonging to a Sankhil clan who shot at the Umpii Doon. Today when one takes a name for strength they take the name of Rengtlung. They also discuss the sound of the bird called “Vakpa ke Kuk” and how it originated. A lady shares about her grandparents who were caught by the Kukis they are still there.

Recital presented at the UNT College of Music Main Auditorium in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Elders Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpo, Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching, Shangwar Dilbung of Khuibung, Daniel Tholung of Thamlakhuren, and Beshot Khullar and Sankhil Belun of Phaidaam discuss Cheldep, the Lamkang hero. Cheldep was a young man who was brought by Shenoi. As for Shenoi, we are not so sure, but he was arrested during the war they heard. Sankhils claimed the “Yamluung”, a musical instrument, as their property. But, later the Dilbungs claimed it as Vangkhiin, who is the owner of the musical instrument. They discuss a Dilbung man who was lost during the war.

Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching, Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpi, and Daniel Tholung of Thamlakhuren discuss the names of the months in Lamkang. He explains how some of the months were named differently by the Lamkang Council, which he finds incorrect and wants them to make corrections. He shares the different names given by people from different villages like the Mantri Pantha, which is different to what he knew. He shares how he requested the Lamkang Kver Kunpun to make the necessary corrections for future purposes. This was recorded during the Seminar on Culture and Origin of the Lamkangs.

Bunghon Suungnem of Leingangching, Beshot Tholung of Thamlapokpi, and Bu Ringo Dilbung of New Chayang tell the story of how Shenoi was kept by the captives. A messenger was sent to bring him with two “dingduu” and on top chilly were tied together to identify he is carrying an important message to convey and no one will disturb him. “Cheldep” thir sun dat pdainu mkuul k’am pii. And today it was kept with the people. Bu Ringo Dilbung tells the story of Chbuphei and Haikaa. They also named the names of some Lamkang heroes, and heroes who have their story with songs ascribed to them.

Recital presented at the First United Methodist Church in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree.

Paul Leo of Senapati, former President of the United Naga Council, shared how important culture, tradition and identity is. As Nagas, we are taught through oral teachings by our parents and a man or woman who knows the story and about anything pertaining to the society. These elders performed and shared the stories and the dresses and ornaments that we are showcasing. They say we need to document and make it available to the community not just Lamkang, but also to other Nagas in Chandel and in Manipur and Nagaland. We have elders who are willing to transmit their knowledge to the community. Let us also preserve the animals that are around us so as to survive in symbiotic relation with our environment. We can also make resolution to preserve our materials like dresses and other items we used to keep it more authentic and valuable. Example the “Kaang" that the use in the dance or “Puulraang kooi”.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with George Cross. Cross joined the Navy in August of 1944. He was trained as a yeoman. Cross served on a destroyer in the Atlantic. He describes how his ship screened convoys by disrupting an air attack by German planes and depth charging a suspected submarine. Cross also talks about his duties as a phone talker during general quarters and the type of work performed by a yeoman. He was discharged soon after he returned to the US.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Don Sumner. Born in 1927, he was inducted into the Navy in June 1945. As an apprentice seaman, he was trained in the Aviation Midshipman Program. He was in training when the war ended. He received his wings in 1948 and was assigned to fly PB4Y airplanes in a Bat guided bomb squadron. With the outbreak of the Korean War, he was sent to North Africa. He retired from the Navy after twenty-five years of service.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Robert Mullen. Mullen joined the Army Air Forces in January of 1943. He served as a nose gunner aboard a B-17 with the 2nd Bomb Group, 429th Bomb Squadron, 15th Air Force. He deployed to Italy in June of 1944, and completed 35 missions, including one over marshalling yards in Salzburg, Austria. Mullen received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Irving Newton. Newton joined the Army Air Forces in mid-1941. He completed school for weather forecasting. He served as the forecaster at Marshall Field, Fort Riley, Kansas. In 1943 he was transferred to Hickman Field in Hawaii, and later to Tarawa, Okinawa, the Philippines and Japan.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Peter Hammersen. Hammersen was born at the end of WWI and grew up in California. While going to school for premed in Pasadena, Hammersen joined the California Army National Guard and became a charter member of Company A, 115th Medical Regiment. He worked as a surgical technician in various hospitals until he was assigned to the 48th Station Hospital at Vila, Efate, and later to Henderson Field at Guadalcanal and finally to the 37th Portable Surgical Hospital in New Guinea. Hammersen shares a number of anecdotal stories.

Recital presented at the UNT College of Music Concert Hall.