Mising Deka-chang: Morang / Morung / Mrirong / or Murang Akum

[Full title: Communities with Deka-chang (f): Mising Deka-chang: Morang / Morung / Mrirong / or Murang Akum]

The Misings also possess the tradition of youth dormitory, known as the Murang / Mrirong / or the Murang Akum, which is “an important feature in the Mising villages” (Thakur:1972). This institution is the heart of the social life of the Mising people, because of its prominent function in the society. The Murang is a platform structure, constructed 5 to 6 feet above the ground, without the enclosing walls. It is ideally located in the central position of a village, strategically keeping in view the defence of the village, in the east-west direction (Pamegam:1970). The platform is connected with two ladders-both in front and back.

For the construction of the Murang, special variety of materials, especially the woods, are collected ceremonially. Thus, the woods like taprid, takinang, tale, tagam are chosen which are favourites of the benevolent gods and goddesses while malevolent ones do not live in these trees or wood. On an auspicious day, they cut the tree for the main post and collect it subsequently. This post is planted through festive and ritualistic fervour such as begging of the plot from the mother goddess with betel nut (Medak:2009).

The architecture of Murang has some special features. Thus, the architecture possesses a central post, which is ornamentally carved in the shape of superimposed drums (dumdum). At a certain distance, uneven numbers of beam-bearing, side rows of posts are embedded lengthwise. Then after some gap, additional parallel rows of posts are embedded on each side that creates an aisle in the floor. Then the beams and king posts are attached over to fasten the roof. The architecture is topped with a single roof, which is bent in the middle, without any joint in the middle as in the other structure (Dole:2008). The construction of the platform is similar to their residential house. After the completion of construction, there invoke the soul of the noble hunter Nui and his friends to live in the Murang and offer ginger and wine for them (Medak:2009).

The posts and the beams of this structure is painted or carved with relief sculpture of different symbols, drawn from their religious belief. Thus, they draw or carve the picture of Sun (Doyi) and Moon (Polo) whom they regard as their mother and father respectively. Moreover, they also draw the representation of star (takar), a dolphin like fish (Biribig) with scale, and Heartleaf (machandari). Similarly, the sayings of renowned person or verse from a poem or Kirtan are also engraved in some instances. Some opines that the Murang developed out of the need of the festival of Porag (Narachiga Bihu) which happens to be a major festival of the community (Pamegam:1970). The indispensability of the architecture for this festival will ensure the continuity of the Murang. Inside the Murang, different traditional items such as musical instruments or weapon are kept.

Though the Murang is termed as the boy’s dormitory, there is possibility that both boys and girls used the structure, at least during a special season or time. Thus, Pamegam (1970) commented that the Murang is not the Deka- chang for the boys, but it is the chang (dormitory) of both boys and girls. Dole (2008,) also similarly opines that the Murang is a “deka- gabharu-chang’ (boys-girl dormitory). However, it can be assumed that the structure primarily meant for the young boys of the village as a strategic structure meant for the defence of the village. Similarly, like the similar institution of other tribal communities, the Murang is also a training place to acquire special skills as well as traditional arts of various kinds. Similarly, it is the education and recreation centre, a place for public gathering such as Kebang, and a centre of the administrative activities.

After coming down from the hills to the plains and subsequently coming under the rule of the Ahom kingdom, the necessity of the Murang gradually diminished. Similarly, the establishment of the Namghars in the villages also dwindled the necessity of the Murang (Pegu:1970). The Murang possesses many virtues and necessities in the traditional society of Mising.