Transcription of a retelling of Smang yur kk'on txhii paomin (The Story of the Marriage of Smang-yur), as narrated by Sankhil Thampol Khular. Part of Daniel Tholung collection on Lamkang Culture and Origins stories.

Sumshot Khular, noting down the Lamkang word list on the white board at the Lamkang Orthography Workshop at Don Bosco Institute, Guwahati, Assam.

Recording of Rev. Daniel Tholung reading the Titus in Lamkang. He translated from English to Lamkang as part of the Evangel Bible Translation project of the Lamkang Bible.

Recording by Daniel Tholung of a retelling of the traditional story The Squirrel and Rongnu.

A photograph by Daniel Tholung taken during the dance performance by the Paraolon dancers at the seminar on Culture and Origin of the Lamkangs. This steps are of the Khuu kthun steps in this video illustrating Lamkang specific dance steps.Organized by the Lamkang Kurchuknao Kunpun in Charangching Khullen-Khunkha.

Guests dancing with the dancers during the seminar on culture and origin of the Lamkangs, organized by the Lamkang Kurchuknao Kunpun at Charangching Khullen-Khunkha village in 2006. A lamkang students union iniative of documenting the origin and culture of the Lamkangs. Videographer by Daniel Tholung.

Guests dancing with the dancers during the seminar on culture and origin of the Lamkangs, organized by the Lamkang Kurchuknao Kunpun at Charangching Khullen-Khunkha village in 2006. A lamkang students union iniative of documenting the origin and culture of the Lamkangs. Videographed by Daniel Tholung.

Saaraang Saa K'aai Kardaam video taken by Daniel Tholung, during the seminar on Culture and Origin of the Lamkangs at Charangching Khullen-Khunkha. Organized by the Lamkang Kurchuknao Kunpun in 2006. As part of documenting the Lamkang origin stories and culture, a student union initative of the Lamkangs.Motit Dilbung of Paraolon is seen leading the dance here in this video.

A photograph by Daniel Tholung illustrating Lamkang culture during the Khujing laa. The invited guests joins the dancers along with some community members during the seminar on Culture and Origin of the Lamkangs at Charangching Khullen-Khunkha.

A khu kthun kardaam performed during the seminar on Culture and Origin of the Lamkangs. Organized by the Lamkang Kurchuknao Kunpun held at Charangching Khullen-khunkha in 2006.

Motit Dilbung of Paraolon village is seen here depicting the piercing of the Saaraang during the Saa K'aai kardaam. Performed during the seminar on culture and origin of the Lamkangs, organized by the Lamkang Kurchuknao Kunpun at Charangching Khullen-Khunkha village in 2006. A lamkang students union iniative of documenting the origin and culture of the Lamkangs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

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.