This paper discusses the Consortium for the Computer Interchange of Museum Information (CIMI)'s international effort to provide distributed search and retrieval of cultural heritage information. A primary aspect of CIMI's work utilizes ANSI/NISO Z39.50-1995, and American National Standard protocol for information retrieval. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently approved Z39.50 as ISO 23950. CIMI chose Z39.50 to enable uniform access to existing and emerging digital collections and the vast repositories of cultural heritage information resources. These resources include a variety of physical and digital objects--physical artifacts and digital derivatives of those artifacts, descriptive records designed for collection management, bibliographic records, full-text documents, online tools such as thesauri and authoritative lists of artists' names, and more. CIMI's application Z39.50 in the networked cultural heritage information environment is breaking new ground in distributed and integrated access to textual and non-textual digital collections.

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.

Recording of discussion on Lamkang grammar and orthography between Daniel Tholung, Tholung Swamy Ksen, and Sumshot Khular at Thamlakhuren village.

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.

Shekarnong Sankhil discusses a piece in the Souvenir magazine about the heroes of the Lamkang.

Shangchrek Tholung narrated the Raalngam story, Arthluk and Raangchal. The second story of Raapaa by Shetphong Sankhil. The third story by Swamy Tholung Ksen the story Arthluk and Raangchal.

A traditional folktale of Raapaa as told by Shetphong Sankhil at Thamlapokpi village in Chandel district, Manipur, India. Raapaa is a poor honest boy who killed the tiger. The best shooters tried killing the tiger but the poor Raapaa who shot the tiger with his grandmothers payaai and kling Khuu, which is a weaving implement, not an arrow, as he cannot afford to own an arrow and bow.

Recording of Shangchrek Tholung reciting a popular traditional narrative. Collected at Swamy Tholung's house who introduces the event and asks questions of the narrator.

A narration of Sumphaai and Raangleen as told by Shangchrek Jangvei of Thamlapokpi. This is the story where Raangleen has to sell his sister Sumphaai. After the story, she sings a song.

Sumshot Khular and Anudon Sankhil talk to Shobhana in their garden about uses of plants growing around the garden. The leaves used for wrapping and packing food packs in the Lamkang culture called Nthil arnaa. The uses of banana leaves, base, stem and fruits and its health benefits.

Tyler Utt elicits prefixed verbs from Sumshot Khular.

Recording of Sumshot Khular explaining and showing different types of traditional baskets. The discussion takes place in Swamy Tholung Ksen's workroom.

Recording of Swamy Tholung Ksen's family members as they move from the house to outdoor work area to demonstrate how to weave.