Under the 37th series of its online exhibition by Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, on Thursday presented the “Rahanki” the Boy’s Dormitory of the Maram Naga Tribe of Manipur situated in the Tribal Habitat open air exhibition of Manav Sangrahalaya has been presented online with its basic information and photographs and videos.

About this exhibition, Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS said that the Maram Naga is largely distributed in the Senapati District of Manipur. According to the 2001 census their population in the state was 37340 (Manorama Yearbook 2012). Out of the many villages inhabited by the Maram tribe, the Willong Khullen village is considered to be the second-largest village. Traditionally, each village was ruled by their respective chieftains and the post of a village chief was purely hereditary and is chosen by the rule of primogeniture i.e. the eldest son successively inherits the post of the father. In the olden days, taxes were levied to the revered chief in the form of Mpak Pai (shawl), paddy, etc. but these systems are no more in practice today. Thus the present-day chief is just a nominal head of the village but the village council/ elders decide whom to give tax.

However, as a traditional chief, he still holds authority over religious rights and it is under his permission that the traditional religious observances commenced.

About the Rahanki, Surya Kumar Pandey, Assistant Keeper told that – The Willong Khullen village is approximately 116 northwest of Imphal and it is reached via NH 39 turning to the west from the Maram Khullen Lamkhai (Junction). The Barak River meanders the route on its northwesterly and provides a breathtaking view of its scenic river basin.

The village is located spur of a hill giving an enchanting view of the village from a distance. It is said that the name of the village is derived from an indigenous flowering tree called Maguilongi which were abundantly available on the hill slopes around the village. Later, it became connoted with a corrupt word as Uilong or Willong. The village is well known for its large assemblage of more than a hundred megalithic monuments in the village land. It serves as an important center for traditional sport, and also links with the institutional practices of the boy’s dormitory.