These are songs commonly sung by children. The narrator recollects some songs he used to sing as a kid.

These are songs commonly sung by children. The narrator recollects some songs he used to sing as a kid.

These are songs commonly sung by children. The narrator recollects some songs he used to sing as a kid.

When a village girl is to get married, her peers and friends will gather at her house and spend a day singing and dancing with her. This narration is about the songs and dances performed during such gatherings.

When a traditional grand house is built, old men will stand beneath the house and perform a ritual. This narration is about ritual songs sung during construction of kakuki 'the grand house'.

This narration is about songs that are sung while working on field. Some of the first songs sang while going to the field and while working on it are recorded here. Such songs are usually short, and their themes are numerous.

This narration is about the practice of house visitation and songs sung while visiting houses of the village. A group of singers will walk through the village and stop at certain places in intervals and sing songs.

This narration is about the songs of praise sung for someone who has achieved wealth and prosperity, or someone who has done great deeds.

Phiangaobo is the coming together of friends or peers to celebrate after a season of hard agricultural work. This group of friends, usually younger people, would gather at one house where they sing, drink, and eat the whole night.

Youth dormitory played a vital role in village life. It was an institution that maintained tradition and culture of the village. At the same time, traditional knowledge and oral literature are transferred to the younger generation through this institution. The members of a male youth dormitory formed a workforce and defense system of the village.

When festive time comes, elderly women will sleep over in their dormitory. They will spend their time together drinking, singing, and celebrating. This narration is about songs sung by old women when they come together to have fun.

This narration is about the importance and role songs played for communication in the traditional life of the Liangmai. Songs were employed in various situations, and they are expressions of different kinds of emotions. Liangmai ancestors used songs to express and convey their feelings and thought. It is a medium to express pleasure and pain, sorrow and joy, spiritual and moral values, and traditional and cultural knowledge. It is a rich form of cultural heritage that contributes towards maintaining the history of the people and plays vital role in connecting generations, establishing cultural identity and helps transmit cultural values, beliefs, knowledge, etc. When one is not happy or angry with another person, songs were used to express the feelings instead of talking and using explicit words. Angry facial countenance was not used; rather, a person used a song as a means to express his feelings or wishes. Then the other person would understand that the one singing the song is not happy or sad or angry. One would listen to the lyric of the song and understand the intended meaning.

This narration is about the importance and role songs played for communication in the traditional life of the Liangmai. Songs were employed in various situations, and they are expressions of different kinds of emotions. Liangmai ancestors used songs to express and convey their feelings and thought. It is a medium to express pleasure and pain, sorrow and joy, spiritual and moral values, and traditional and cultural knowledge. It is a rich form of cultural heritage that contributes towards maintaining the history of the people and plays vital role in connecting generations, establishing cultural identity and helps transmit cultural values, beliefs, knowledge, etc. When one is not happy or angry with another person, songs were used to express the feelings instead of talking and using explicit words. Angry facial countenance was not used; rather, a person used a song as a means to express his feelings or wishes. Then the other person would understand that the one singing the song is not happy or sad or angry. One would listen to the lyric of the song and understand the intended meaning.

A description of village administration. Smooth functioning of a village life requires certain people to execute certain roles. The two oldest men in the village, known as singko and tingko, provide the mechanism of the social and religious systems. It was their duty to declare prohibitions, taboos, and so on. Kamu, the village shaman, performs funeral for the dead and attend to sick. He would perform all the rituals in the village. Apai, the village council, comprising old men from every clan in the village, look after the village administration.

Guarding of village is one of the most important duties of able-bodied young men. While on duty, young men usually sing songs to assure the villagers that they are in good hands.

The narration is about the songs of the village youth. Back in the days, on some auspicious occasions the youth will gather at a place, sing songs teasing each other, drink rice beer, and celebrate the whole day. The speaker narrates what kind of songs were sung on this day.

This song talks about fleeting moments of life. It says, like new buds grow, flowers bloom and whither, so is human. New generation replaces the old one. This cycle of life can be avoided by none.

The message of this folk song is to strive for goodness, and live for equality. Sharing is very important in village. Villagers share good things as well as bad things, which creates unity. The goal of the village is to pursue goodness.

This song is about when autumn comes and the mothers get busy in the field. Young girls look for a child to babysit whose mother is generous.

This folk song is about a gentle mother teaching her trade to her child. A gentle mother who asks her child to go to field with her. She says, I ask my child not to work the whole year but only for few days and it will be good for your future. I am calling you so that you learn how to farm.

This song is about a dual personality of a wayward woman. It says, I court a wayward girl. The girl would not stay with me till day break. Norengbungna had a relationship with a wayward woman. She would spend time with me in dark, but during the day, she acts as if she doesn’t know me. This wayward woman.

The song is about a man who has an affair with a wayward woman. They will meet in the dark, but will not reveal about their relationship during day. It has the meaning that no one is perfect, but there are some who are worse than others. The performer has since passed away on 22 March 2018 at age 74.

Langmei (Tiang) villagers perform a war dance 'Chari lem'. It was performed when the villager waged war against a neighboring feuding village. The warriors of the village gathered for this dance believing that it would sanctify them and make them stronger, more courageous and more effective while engaging in a fight with the enemy.

Makui (Liangchi) Villagers perform a war dance, Chariu taobo lem. It was performed in the olden days when a Liangmai village went to war. The able-bodied men of the village gather and move in two rows led by two war heads experienced in warfare using spears, shields and daos. Men will make a polyvocal sound called magubo as they move in circle. Magubo begins in slow rhythm as the men move slowly. Magubo, as well as their movement, will pick up speed and during the peak moment various war cries will be made.