This presentation discusses the MARC Content Designation Utilization (MCDU) Project. It presents information about the goals and scope of the project, the methodology and information about the process, and the implications of this project.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

This is the project website for the Needs Assessment Study of Texas Academic, Public, and School Libraries, funded by a grant from the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board. It contains information on project documentation and their Final Report.

Photograph of tradtional truh for trapping fish in the wet paddy fields.

Photograph of Lamkang traditional shawl known as [tkar buw kpool] in Lamkang. This shawl is woven by Tony Khular of Thamlakhuren village. This picture is taken as part of the Lamkang pictorial book project by Sumshot Khular.

Photograph of a Lamkang traditional thatch house with a smoke outlet known as [meikhuwt thuhna] seen in this picture. This is the house belonging to Bekoi Kangten of Teitok.kchiing Thamlapokpi village.

Photograph of yamlung a Lamkang traditonal gong used in any ceremonies and festivities, in living and death ceremonies. They are played during the celebrations.

Photograph of Donnu Sankhil making the firewood pile to dry firewood in Lamkang traditional way known as [dinghon tpurtuwn] in Lamkang.

Photograph of baskets called phangboor in Lamkang. It is used to store grains or clothes depending according to the needs of the families. Naga tribes and their used of the similar phanboor or baskets varies with design and patterns of the basket weaving.The right smaller basket belongs to Northern Naga tribes.

Photograph of a Lamkang traditional thatch house known as [vangpher inn] in Lamkang. The roof is made of thatch, walls and floor made of bamboo and the name vangher is given due to that. This house is built by Kobeng Tholung of Lamkang Wangjangloon. Underneath is floor is used to keep some wooden planks for building a house.In way it is used as a store house. The steps seen in this house is made of bamboo.

Photograph of traditional dining table known as tmaalna' krang in Lamkang. It is made of cane with some bamboo in the circle ring at the bottom and top ring for giving stronger grip at the base. This is the most commonly used dining table before the coming of modern dining table sets. This piece if from Tony Khular's house in Thamlakhuren village.

Photograph of Lamkang traditional hand spinning wheel known as [langthuk] made by Thamshi Khular of Thamlakhuren villlage. The wheel is made of wood for the base, frame and the spikes are made of bamboo and the string is made of rope from climber called rii nu'. All weaving before the yarn is spin in this wheel before that are made as cloth.