1. Review of the Paper
This paper explores the female dormitory system (Releiki) of the Zeme Naga community in Northeast India. Traditionally, Zeme villages maintained both male (Rehangki) and female (Releiki) dormitories, which were far more than sleeping spaces. They served as centers of education, oral traditions, storytelling, music, and cultural training, shaping the collective identity of the community.
The author highlights that while male dormitories have been widely studied, female dormitories remain undervalued in historical and anthropological accounts. Through folk songs, oral histories, and women’s narratives, this research restores the importance of Releiki as a cultural institution.
The paper also addresses the decline of dormitory institutions due to the spread of Christianity, modern schooling, and social change. This shift led to the erosion of women’s roles in oral history, folk singing, and traditional art forms. Yet, the memories of weaving songs, rituals, and collective life within Releiki demonstrate how women preserved identity, resisted gendered limitations, and contributed to knowledge systems.
👉 In sum, this is an important feminist re-reading of Naga traditions, showing how women’s spaces like the Releiki were central to community life, cultural continuity, and the preservation of oral heritage.
2. Extracting English-Similar Words for a Dictionary
From the paper, many Zeme words and phrases were used, often with English explanations. I’ve extracted the ones that can form a mini dictionary:
Zeliangrong–English Glossary (Rongmei, Zeme, Liangmai)
Tribe / Term English Meaning Cultural Context Rongmei – Gaan Ngai Winter festival Major Rongmei post-harvest festival; includes rituals, songs, dances, and honoring ancestors. Rongmei – Namthi Rice beer Traditional brew offered in festivals and rituals, symbol of hospitality. Rongmei – Napkaomei Village council Traditional governing body that handles justice, land, and community issues. Rongmei – Tingkao Ragwang Supreme God The creator deity worshipped by the Rongmei and other Zeliangrong tribes. Rongmei – Khangchiu Male dormitory Institution for young men, similar to Zeme rehangki, where training and socialization occurred. Rongmei – Luchiu Female dormitory Equivalent to Zeme releiki, where young women learned folk songs, weaving, and cultural duties. Zeme – Releiki Female dormitory Space for young Zeme women’s collective life, music, and oral traditions until marriage. Zeme – Rehangki Male dormitory Space for male youth training in warfare, rituals, and community leadership. Zeme – Bungtak Village founding ritual Sacred mithun ritual marking new settlements. Zeme – Kizeupui House mother Woman caretaker of female dormitories. Liangmai – Hega Ngi Seed-sowing festival Liangmai’s biggest festival, similar in significance to Rongmei’s Gaan Ngai. Liangmai – Marui Sacred feast Ritual feast involving mithun, performed for prosperity and social honor. Liangmai – Duilou Ancestral spirits Honored in rituals and oral traditions. Common – Tingwang / Tingkao Ragwang Creator God Worshipped across Zeliangrong tribes (Rongmei, Zeme, Liangmai) as the supreme deity. Common – Mithun (Bos frontalis) Semi-domesticated bison Central to rituals, wealth status, and village founding across Zeliangrong tribes.
| Tribe / Term | English Meaning | Cultural Context |
|---|---|---|
| Rongmei – Gaan Ngai | Winter festival | Major Rongmei post-harvest festival; includes rituals, songs, dances, and honoring ancestors. |
| Rongmei – Namthi | Rice beer | Traditional brew offered in festivals and rituals, symbol of hospitality. |
| Rongmei – Napkaomei | Village council | Traditional governing body that handles justice, land, and community issues. |
| Rongmei – Tingkao Ragwang | Supreme God | The creator deity worshipped by the Rongmei and other Zeliangrong tribes. |
| Rongmei – Khangchiu | Male dormitory | Institution for young men, similar to Zeme rehangki, where training and socialization occurred. |
| Rongmei – Luchiu | Female dormitory | Equivalent to Zeme releiki, where young women learned folk songs, weaving, and cultural duties. |
| Zeme – Releiki | Female dormitory | Space for young Zeme women’s collective life, music, and oral traditions until marriage. |
| Zeme – Rehangki | Male dormitory | Space for male youth training in warfare, rituals, and community leadership. |
| Zeme – Bungtak | Village founding ritual | Sacred mithun ritual marking new settlements. |
| Zeme – Kizeupui | House mother | Woman caretaker of female dormitories. |
| Liangmai – Hega Ngi | Seed-sowing festival | Liangmai’s biggest festival, similar in significance to Rongmei’s Gaan Ngai. |
| Liangmai – Marui | Sacred feast | Ritual feast involving mithun, performed for prosperity and social honor. |
| Liangmai – Duilou | Ancestral spirits | Honored in rituals and oral traditions. |
| Common – Tingwang / Tingkao Ragwang | Creator God | Worshipped across Zeliangrong tribes (Rongmei, Zeme, Liangmai) as the supreme deity. |
| Common – Mithun (Bos frontalis) | Semi-domesticated bison | Central to rituals, wealth status, and village founding across Zeliangrong tribes. |
