[[File:Hornbill Festival-2018.Tribal Dance.JPG|thumb|Khiamniungans dance outside their morung at the Hornbill Festival]]
'''Youth dormitories''' are a traditional institution among several tribal societies of the world including the various tribes of India, the tribes of South-East Asia, and the native Americans.{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=216}}
Among many tribes, the youth dormitory is a now declining or defunct institution. For example, among several tribes of North-East India, the traditional dormitories (called '''morung''') became dysfunctional in the 20th century, with the advent of modern educational institutions and Christianity.{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=37-38}} However, among some tribes, such as the Nagas, it has continued to exist as a socio-cultural institution.{{sfn|Tiasunep|2019|p=265}}
== Names == [[File:Naga Morung entrance Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival 2019.jpg|thumb|Entrance of a Rengma Naga morung at the Kisama Heritage Village]]
Different tribes have different names for their youth dormitories:{{sfn|Tiasunep|2019|p=265}}{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=85}}
* '''Arichu''' or '''Areju''' among Aos;{{sfn|Sultan Ahmed Ansari|1991|p=131}}{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=38}} the Ao girls slept in a separate house called '''Tsuki''', which was chaperoned by a widow.{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=89}} * '''Bukumatala''' in Trobriand Islands{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Buonzawl''' among Hmars{{sfn|Sultan Ahmed Ansari|1991|p=131}} * '''Calpule''' in Guatemala{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Champo''' among Lothas{{sfn|Sultan Ahmed Ansari|1991|p=131}} * '''Chu''' or '''Chupang''' in the Yangpi village of Nagaland{{sfn|Tiasunep|2019|p=265}} * '''Dai''' in Palau{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Dekha Chang''' among Semas{{sfn|Sultan Ahmed Ansari|1991|p=131}} (only for males){{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=216}} * '''Dhangarbasa''' or '''Dhangarbassa''' among Bhuyans{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}}{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=160}} * '''Dhumkuria''' among Oraons, including '''Jonkh-erpa''' for boys and '''Pelo-erpa''' for girls{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Ghotul''' or Gotul among Gonds, common for both males and females{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}}{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=160}} * '''Giti-O''' or '''Gitiora''' among Mundas such as Birhors and Hos; separate for boys and girls{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}}{{sfn|Neeti Mahanti|1995|p=50}} * '''Hangseuki''' (boys) and '''Leoseuki''' (girls) among Zeme{{sfn|B. N. Bordoloi|1988|pp=100-101}} * '''Ikhuichi''' (boys) and '''Illoichi''' (girls) among the Mao Nagas (Memis){{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Imieum''' in New Hebrides{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Khangchu''' / '''Khangchiu''' (for boys) and '''Luchu''' / '''Liuchiu''' / '''Kailiu''' (for girls) in Rongmei language{{sfn|Sultan Ahmed Ansari|1991|p=131}} * '''Khangchiuky''' (for boys) and '''Liuchiuky''' (for girls) in Lianglad<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rongmeiencyclopedia.wordpress.com/2024/09/18/khangchiu-the-youth-dormitory-of-liangmai-naga/|title=Khanchiu: The Youth Dormitory of the Liangmai Naga|website=Rongmei Encyclopedia|access-date=21 November 2025}}</ref> * '''Kichuki''' among Angamis{{sfn|Sultan Ahmed Ansari|1991|p=131}} * '''Kwod''' among the tribes of Torres Strait Islands{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Lochii''' among Maos{{sfn|T. G. Kipgen|2010|p=130}} * '''Loho''' in Sulawesi{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Longshim''' among Tangkhuls, including '''Mayarlong''' for boys and '''Ngalalong''' for girls{{sfn|A. S. W. Shimray|2001|p=153}}{{sfn|Khashim Ruivah|1993|p=95, 104}} * '''Louchizii Fii''' among Poumais{{sfn|T. G. Kipgen|2010|p=130}} * '''Maro''' or '''Terang''' among Mikirs{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=85}} * '''Morung''' (boys) and '''Yo''' (girls) among the Konyaks{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=216}} * '''Moshup''' or '''Mosup''' among Adis / Abors{{sfn|Neeti Mahanti|1995|p=50}}{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=85}} * '''Nedrong''' or '''Nodrong''' among Dimasa Kacharis{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=85}}{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=39}} * '''Nokpanti''' among Garos{{sfn|Neeti Mahanti|1995|p=50}} * '''Raliiki''' among Marams{{sfn|T. G. Kipgen|2010|p=130}} * '''Rang-bang''' among Bhotiyass, common for both males and females{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Rensi''', '''Azughu''', or '''Awikhu''' among the Rengmas{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=86}} * '''Roemah Kompani''' in Kai Islands{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Romaluli''' in Flores{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Sochem''' (boys) and '''Shemshimang''' (girls) among the Changs; the Changs also have another morung-like institution called ''haki'', but it is not a bachelor's dormitory.{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=86}} It is used as a guard house, a council hall, a religious institution, a drum house, and a repository for war trophies.{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=89}} * '''Ti''' in Marquesas Islands{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} * '''Zawlbuk''' among Kukis{{sfn|Neeti Mahanti|1995|p=50}}
In north-east India, '''morung''' is a common name for the traditional tribal youth clubs or bachelors' dormitories.{{sfn|B. N. Bordoloi|1988|pp=100-101}}{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=85}} It is an Ahom{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=85}} or Assamese language word.{{sfn|Tiasunep|2019|p=265}}
== Functions ==
Traditionally, after attaining a certain age (as young as 4-5 years among the Oraons), the tribal youth would attend the dormitory. Generally, they ceased to be a member of the organization when they married.{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} In some cases, as in Ghotul, widowed people were admitted to the dormitory.{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} The dormitories' affairs are usually managed by senior members, including elected office-bearers.{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}}
The functions of the youth dormitories vary from tribe to tribe,{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=90}} and may include:
* Teaching conjugal duties{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=216}} * Teaching social duties{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=216}} * Teaching clan lore{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=216}} * Impart training in tribal art, music and dance{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=37}} * Providing workforce for the community efforts such as shifting cultivation, house-building, elder care, and festival organization{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=37}} * A sleeping place for young tribals in villages that had very small homes without much privacy{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=37-38}} * Defence of the village (for example, among the Dimasa Kacharis){{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=88}}
Among some tribes, the dormitories also served as a place for courtship among young men and women.{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=37}} These dormitories admitted both men and women. For example, among some Gond tribes (such as Asurs and Marias) and Khonds, boys and girls sleep in the same dormitory.{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=85}} These functions have changed with times; for example, according to a 1966 survey, the traditional ''Areju'' dormitory had largely disappeared from the Ao Naga village of Waromung. In its place, there were two Church-controlled gender-specific dormitories, whose main function was to ensure segregation of unmarried boys and girls.{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=38}} Some tribal dormitories traditionally accept only males, and some have separate dormitories for males and females.{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=216}} For example, among the Mundas, the boys and girls would sleep in separate dormitories at night; in the villages that did not have a dormitory for the girls, the girls would sleep in the house of old women.{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=161}}
Among some of the Naga tribes, such as the Angamis, the dormitory was an insignificant institution.{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=86}} Among others, it was an important institution and the nominees of the dormitory (''morung'') served on the village council.{{sfn|R. S. Mann|1993|p=37}} {{cquote |quote = The morung plays vital role in preparing younger generations for posts in the village council. The morung is the club, the public school, the military training centre, the hostel for boys and meeting place for village elders. It is as well the centre for the social, religious, and political activities. |author = V. K. Anand |source = Nagaland in Transition{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=87}} }}
Among some tribes, the dormitories had additional special functions. For example, the Lothas used to keep their sacred stones in the dormitory. The Aos used to hang the heads of their headhunting victims and rewarded the headhunters at the dormitory during the Moatsu festival.
The activities of the dormitories varied from tribe to tribe. They included education, story-telling, singing, dancing, sex, festive celebrations, religious ceremonies, and socio-political activities. The dormitories may train the members in hunting-gathering, fishing, wood-cutting, arts and crafts, agriculture, and other jobs.{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|pp=217-218}} Among some tribes, the members were expected to help in the village activities such as agriculture and house-building.{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=218}}
The dormitories were generally located near the village chief's house (as among the Oraons), in forest away from the village (as in Bastar district), in the centre of the village, or among the fields (as among the Konyaks).{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}} Typically, the dormitories were located in distinctive building structures, and were decorated with totemic emblems.{{sfn|V. R. Reddy|1997|p=217}}
Some villages had multiple dormitories, such as for each section (''khel'') of the village among some Naga tribes. The Semas built miniature dormitories as a fertility rite.{{sfn|B.B. Kumar|2005|p=89}}
== References == {{reflist}}
=== Bibliography === {{commons category|Morung}} {{ref begin}} * {{cite book |author=A. S. W. Shimray |title=History of the Tangkhul Nagas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E1MwAQAAIAAJ |year=2001 |publisher=Akansha |isbn=978-81-87606-04-8 }} * {{cite book |author=B. N. Bordoloi |title=Tribes of Assam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iWFLAAAAYAAJ |year=1988 |publisher=Tribal Research Institute }} * {{cite book |author=Braj Bihari Kumar |title=Naga Identity |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CM7uC2W58wcC&pg=PA85 |year=2005 |publisher=Concept |isbn=978-81-8069-192-8 |ref={{harvid|B.B. Kumar|2005}} }} * {{cite book |editor1=Bhupinder Singh |editor2=Neeti Mahanti |title=Tribal Education in India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XZzkAAAAMAAJ |year=1995 |publisher=Inter-India |isbn=978-81-210-0345-2 |ref={{harvid|Neeti Mahanti|1995}} }} * {{cite book |author=Khashim Ruivah |title=Social Changes Among the Nagas (Tangkhul) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aCFuAAAAMAAJ |year=1993 |publisher=Cosmo }} * {{cite book |author=Rajendra K. Sharma |title=Indian Society, Institutions and Change |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBOh24IJ9t8C&pg=PA161 |year=2004 |publisher=Atlantic |isbn=978-81-7156-665-5 |ref={{harvid|R. K. Sharma|2019}} }} * {{cite book |author=Rann Singh Mann |title=Culture and Integration of Indian Tribes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a7BBAYDfoAIC&pg=PA40 |year=1993 |publisher=M.D. |isbn=978-81-85880-03-7 |ref={{harvid|R. S. Mann|1993}} }} * {{cite book |author=Sultan Ahmed Ansari |title=Manipur, Tribal Demography and Socio-economic Development |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ECBAAAAMAAJ |year=1991 |publisher=Daya|isbn=978-81-7035-100-9}} * {{cite book |author1=Tiasunep |author2=Neingusanuo Solo |chapter=Yangpi Morung: An Expression of Ideals and Identity |editor=Maguni Charan Behera |title=Tribal Studies in India |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rVS9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA265 |year=2019 |publisher=Springer Singapore |isbn=978-981-329-026-6 |ref={{harvid|Tiasunep|2019}} }} * {{cite book |author=Tingneichong G. Kipgen |title=Women's Role in the 20th Century Manipur |year=2010 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sIEOy8SRLv8C |isbn=9788178358031 |ref={{harvid|T. G. Kipgen|2010}} }} * {{cite book |author=V. Rami Reddy |chapter=Problems and Perspectives of Tribal Education in India |editor1=Georg Pfeffer |editor2=Deepak Kumar Behera |title=Contemporary Society: Developmental issues, transition, and change |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TZOvYPBrxl0C&pg=PA217 |year=1997 |publisher=Concept |isbn=978-81-7022-642-0 |ref={{harvid|V. R. Reddy|1997}} }} {{ref end}}
Category:House types Category:Tribes Category:Indigenous culture