DongXqz408: made some article w/ sources.

2025-12-14T11:14:26Z

made some article w/ sources.

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{{Short description|Traditional bachelorsʼ quarters of the Mizo people}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
[[File:Zawlbuk.JPG|thumb|right| A reconstructed model of Zawlbûk at [[Reiek]]]]

'''{{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}}''' ({{IPAc-en|z|ɔː|l|ˈ|b|uː|k|,_|z|ɒ|l|-}}; {{ety|lus|zâwl|flat||bûk|hut}}) was a traditional [[bachelors]]ʼ quarters of the [[Mizo people]], predominantly of the [[lushei tribe|Luseis]] living in [[Mizoram]], [[India]].<ref name=Bhat>{{cite book|author= Bhatia L |title=Education and Society in a Changing Mizoram: The Practice of Pedagogy |year=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6iyPrnkHAcC |isbn =978-1136198052 |publisher= Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, New York, US }}</ref> It was prominently the largest house in the [[tribe|tribal]] village, and it was customary for every village to have it constructed in the middle of the habitation. Even though its basic use was as a [[tribal youth dormitory|dormitory]] for all unmarried men of the village, it was much more a [[social institution]] where [[education]], [[entertainment]], [[professional development|skill]] and [[personal development]]s, and [[security]] of the tribal community were (almost) entirely centred. It also served as a resting place for guests, travelers and visitors.<ref name=parr>{{cite book|author= Parry NE |title= Lushai Custom: A Monograph on Lushai Customs and Ceremonies |year= 1928 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ZZsJAQAAIAAJ |pages=8–12 |edition=1988 reprint |asin=B0000E866X|publisher= Tribal Research Institute, Aizawl, India}}</ref><ref name=chat>{{cite book|author= Chatterji N |title= Zawlbuk as a Social Institution in the Mizo Society |year= 1975 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=VcQJAQAAIAAJ |pages=1–35 |asin =B0000D5MQN |publisher= Tribal Research Institute, Aizawl, Mizoram, India }}</ref><ref name=pill>{{cite journal|author=Pillai SK|year=1999 |title= Winds of change in the bamboo hills: Learning from a Mizo way of life| journal= India International Centre Quarterly |volume=26|issue=2 |pages=125–137|jstor=23005664}}</ref>
[[File:An image of a Zawlbuk.jpg|thumb|An image of {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} between 1890 and 1913]]

==Architecture==
[[File:Zawlbuk interior.JPG |thumb|right| An interior design of {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}}. A big log of wood at the bottom is ''bawhbel'', a fireplace is at the centre, a horizontal opening at far end is ''bahzar'' just above ''dawvan''.]]
{{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} was always located at the centre of the village, in close proximity to the [[Tribal chief|chief]]'s residence. Since its basic purpose was to house all the bachelors of the village, it was dominantly the largest house. The size did vary from village to village depending on the size of the community. It was constructed through [[community service|social work]] using [[timber]]s and [[thatch]] from the nearby forest.<ref name=pach>{{cite book|author=Pachuau R |title= Mizoram: A Study in Comprehensive Geography |year=2009|pages=5–6|isbn = 978-8172112646 |publisher= Northern Book Centre, India}}</ref> The timber forming the central pole is especially large to support most of the structure and is called ''tlung''. From this were extended a sloping roof and floor with support structures. The floor and walls were made of cracked [[bamboo]], and the roof was made entirely of thatch. It had no special entrance as the entire front was open. However, the front had a small platform or [[verandah]] with a bamboo wall hanging from the roof up to about 5 ft, making the entrance quite low. Usually to the right of this area was reserved for the stockpile of [[firewood]].<ref name=sen>{{cite web |author=Sena T |title=Zawlbuk leh mipa naupang |language=lus |trans-title=Zawlbuk and the boys |date=15 November 2012 |url=http://www.vanglaini.org/articles/14806-zawlbuk-leh-mipa-naupang |work=Vanglaini |access-date=2013-04-20 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The space around this verandah was called ''awkpaka'', which was delimited by one (or two) massive log of wood, at about 2 ft high, spanning the whole breadth of the entrance. This was known as ''bawhbel'' (or ''pawmpual'' to the southerners) and was an off-limit to the rest of the population, women, children, married men, and even the [[royal family|royalty]] and the council. The interior was simply a spacious empty room practically without any furniture, other than a [[fireplace]] at the very centre. The back wall was made into a small platform known as ''dawvan'' about 6 ft wide and 1 ft high from the floor. The entire floor served as a [[wrestling]] (which was predominantly the nightly activity) arena and the sleeping area, and is called ''buanzawl''. Just above was the ''bahzar'' which could be opened towards the outside as a big window.<ref name=deka>{{cite web |author= Deka, Ankur |title= Zawlbuk, the pillar of modern Mizo society |url= http://www.india-north-east.com/2012/06/zawlbuk-pillar-of-modern-mizo-society.html | work=North East India |publisher=India-north-east.com |access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref>

==Social structure==

Lodging in {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} was a type of [[conscription|compulsory commitment]] in which male members of the community above 15 years of age must enter and remain there until they get married. However, residence was limited to night life only, and residents had their meals at home, and performed all personal and family chores during the day. All internal management and activities were highly democratic and entirely decided by the lodgers, and no external interference was allowed, even from the chief and the village council.<ref name=parr/><ref>{{cite book|author=Sinha H |title=Bureaucracy and Rural Development in Mizoram |year=2012 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iX3-_ZG2ElwC |pages=63–64 |isbn = 978-8180698309|publisher=Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi, India}}</ref> Only bachelors, visitors, guests and the Val Upa were allowed.

===Organisation===
{{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} had a structured organisation. The residents were entirely of young men, typically of above 15 years of age, properly titled ''tlangvâl''; and the leader of the members was ''vâl-upa'' who monitored all the activities. The ''vâl-upa'' was specifically appointed by the village chief and council.<ref>{{cite journal|vauthors=Tiwari BK, Tynsong H, Lynrah MM, Lapasam E, Deb S, Sharma D |year=2013 |title= Institutional arrangement and typology of community forests of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland of North-East India| journal= Journal of Forestry Research |volume=24|issue=1 |pages=179–186|doi= 10.1007/s11676-013-0337-x|bibcode=2013JFoR...24..179T |s2cid=5795017 |url=http://dspace.nehu.ac.in/handle/123456789/12820 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>
In the evenings they were accompanied by boys, generally of age between 6 and 15, who were known as ''thingfawm naupang'', or simply ''thingfawm'', which means their sole responsibility was to collect firewood for the {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} the ''thingfawm naupang'' had to report themselves each time they collected and placed them at the ''thingfawm bawm while saying "Hei, ka keuh aw."'' because each of them were assigned specific amounts of firewood, and they had to know that they fulfilled their tasks.The ''thingfawm'' boys were restricted from participating in the main activities of the ''tlangval'', though they were allowed to play around and join their merrymaking. The ''thingfawm'' team had a designated leader referred to as ''hotu'', who was a young member of ''tlangval'' and whose duty was to record and report the services of each boy; absence or abstinence was a severe offence punishable by any measure.The most common punishment was doubling or tripling the amount assigned.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Hanjabam SS |year=2008 |title= The Youth Panorama of Northeast India| journal= Asia Europe Journal |volume=5|issue=4 |pages=557–571|doi= 10.1007/s10308-007-0151-1 |s2cid=154438273 }}</ref> A ''thingfawm'' boy, once found to have an adequate [[pubic hair]], would be inducted as a permanent lodger and would remain so until his marriage. However, a ''thingfawm naupang'' can be exempt from gathering firewood if he touches a shot animal for it requires enough bravery as the animal could have been faking death and attacked anyone near it. Another way is to cut off the tail of a shot tiger. Cutting off the tail of a shot tiger was the only way of proving its death, so it also required great bravery and courage, for if the tiger was still alive, the tiger would have mauled to death the nearest living being. For selection of lodging, as tradition went, the longest pubic hair was plucked from him and if it could coil around the stem of a traditional [[tobacco pipe]], the candidate was declared an eligible lodger, hence became a ''tlangvâl''.<ref name=parr/><ref name=eden>{{cite web |author= Edenthara |title= Kalchar leh tunlai |language= lus |trans-title= Culture and modern times |work= Mizo Khawvel |url= http://www.mizokhawvel.com/2009/03/kalchar-leh-tunlai.html |access-date= 2013-04-20 |archive-date= 5 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160305094420/http://www.mizokhawvel.com/2009/03/kalchar-leh-tunlai.html |url-status= dead }}</ref> Regular activities include singing [[folk song]]s, [[wrestling]], and [[narration|story telling]].<ref name=chat/><ref name=nun>{{cite book|author=Nunthara C |title= Mizoram: Society and Polity |year=1996 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Jksn3c85KOkC |isbn = 978-8173870590 |publisher=Indus Publishing, India}}</ref> In front of the {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} were three heavy round stones, each of varying weights called ''chawilung''. The first one weighs around 10-15 kg, the second one weighs 20-30 kg and the third one is approx. 50 kg or more. The young men would compete against each other in carrying the stones. To carry the stones, one has to hug the stone and use their forearm and wrists in helping them lift the stones. Another popular activity is the [[Insuknawr]] and the insai hrui pawh in which the participants try to drag each other by crawling while being tied to each other with a rope.

===Impact and value===

{{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} was much more than a simple dormitory for regular overnight stay, it was a centre of village education, defense, discipline and development. It was strictly a social institution where all forms of [[arts and crafts]], [[physical training]], and [[moral education]] were taught and learned.<ref name=pach/> It was practically a [[social network]] by which all sorts of information were conveyed, from news to family squabbles. It was a kind of oral [[library]] where [[indigenous knowledge]] was shared and inculcated to new generations.<ref name=zama>{{cite web |author= Zama MCh |title= The intangible as cultural heritage |date= 1 June 2012 |url= http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+intangible+as+cultural+heritage.-a0297337912 |work= Marg, A Magazine of the Arts |publisher= The Free Library |access-date=2013-04-20}}</ref> It also served as rendezvous in times of [[social conflict]]s, disasters and wars.<ref name=nun/> One of the principles behind such gathering is clearly for safety of the entire village, as all the most able men are readily called in action. Hence it was also a form of [[military barracks]]. It was particularly important as the village lives were frequently interrupted by [[wild beasts]] and [[invasion|enemy invasions]].<ref name=Bhat/> In addition, it was a convenient lodging for male guests of the {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}}-age from other villages. In fact it is now recognised as the cultural epitome in the Lusei society.<ref name=sai>{{cite web|author=Sailo L|title=Zawlbuk kha a va lo ropui em!|language=lus|trans-title=How significant was the Zawlbuk!|date=15 September 2011|url=http://www.vanglaini.org/articles/11145-zawlbuk-kha-a-va-lo-ropui-em|work=Vanglaini|access-date=2013-04-20}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Decline and dissolution==

Even though the advent of [[Christianity]] at the end of 19th century could be attributed as the major force in weakening of {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} stronghold on Mizo culture, the ensuing inevitable socio-political changes including the rise of [[education in Mizoram]] and [[politics]], compounded by the [[british imperialism|British rule]], caused cultural upheaval. The beginning of [[formal education]] and mass conversion to Christianity indeed changed the course of [[ethnic identity]] which ultimately led to the abandonment of {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}}.<ref name=sai/> The status of {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} suffered a fatal blow when the power of the traditional [[chieftainship]]s was stripped off and governmental administration was set up by the British.<ref name=pill/><ref name=eden/> For once in the Mizo society, [[social stratification|social division]] disappeared and religious activities no longer encouraged the bachelors' dormitories and their [[paganism|pagan]] lifestyle.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Strom D |year=1980 |title= Christianity and Culture Change among the Mizoram| journal= Missiology |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages= 307–317|doi= 10.1177/009182968000800304 |s2cid=145307476 }}</ref> Ironically enough, N.E. Parry, an [[english people|English]] Superintendent (1924–28) of Lushai Hills, realising its crucial role in the Mizo society, made an attempt to revive it in 1926 by compelling all villages to rebuild their {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}}, but to no avail. By then social and religious evolutions had already outpaced the usefulness or the need.<ref name=zama/>

On 1 January 1938 the successor Superintendent, Anthony Gilchrist McCall, convened a public meeting at Thakthing, Aizawl, on the subject of continuing the official order of reviving {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}}. The public decided that the institution was no longer compatible with formal education, Christianity and government system. Hence, McCall resolved to end {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}}.<ref>{{cite web |author= Lalthangliana B |title= Zawlbuk tawp dan|language=lus |trans-title=The end of Zawlbuk|date= 21 July 2010 |url= http://zotuithiang-thulehhla.webnode.com/news/zawlbuk-tawp-dan/| work=Zotui Thiang Thu-Hla |access-date=2013-06-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= Lalthangliana B |title= Zawlbuk tawp dan|language=lus |trans-title=The end of Zawlbuk|date= 2010 |url= http://lawrkhawm.com/index.php?page=4920| work=Lawrkhawm |access-date=2013-06-07}}</ref>

==In other cultures==
{{Main|Tribal youth dormitory}}
The origin of {{lang|lus|Zawlbûk}} is clouded in uncertainty and is not exclusive to the Luseis. A close [[clan]] [[Hmar people]] of [[Manipur]] used to have exactly the same, which they call, ''Buonzawl'' or ''Sier''.<ref name=pul>{{cite web |author= Pulamte JH |title= Buonzawl - A Youth Dormitory |work= hmar.org |url= http://www.hmar.org/article/buonzawl-a-youth-dormitory |access-date= 2013-04-20 |archive-date= 2 October 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131002022035/http://hmar.org/article/buonzawl-a-youth-dormitory |url-status= dead }}</ref> In fact the dormitory institution is quite common among the different tribal communities of India, but with slight variations, and not as prominent or influential as those in Mizo society. In the [[Northeast India]], [[karbi people|Karbis]], the [[Tiwa (Lalung)|Tiwas]], the [[mishing people|Mishings]], and the [[dimasa people|Dimasas]] of [[Assam]], various tribes of [[naga people|Nagas]] of [[Nagaland]], the [[Tangkhul Naga people|Tangkhul Naga]] of Manipur, some other ethnic tribes of [[Tripura]], the [[garo people|Garos (Nokpanti)]] of [[Meghalaya]] and the [[Galo tribe|Abors (Nosup)]] and [[Mising people|Miris (Torang)]] [[Arunachal Pradesh]] had this type of dormitory institution. Other Indian tribals such as the [[oraon people|Oraon (Dhumkaria)]] and [[munda people|Munda (Gitic or Gittera)]] of [[Jharkhand]], and the [[Kalari]]s of [[Kerala]] also had similar system.<ref>{{cite web|author=Krishna M|title=The Zawlbûk was similar to the old 'Kalaris' of Kerala|date=27 September 2012|work=Ground Report|url=http://www.groundreport.com/Opinion/The-Zawlbuk-was-similar-to-the-old-Kalaris-of-Kera/2948267|access-date=2013-04-21}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://zawlbuk.wordpress.com/hringnun/ Welcome to Zawlbuk: What is Zawlbuk?]
*[http://mizoram.nic.in/about/zawlbuk.htm Zawlbuk by National Informatics Centre, Mizoram State Centre]
*[http://www.neblog.in/2012/06/zawlbuk-pillar-of-modern-mizo-society.html North East India: Zawlbuk – Pillar of Modern Mizo Society]{{Dead link|date=December 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}
*[http://mizobamboo.nic.in/people.htm Bamboo Development Agency] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502165758/http://mizobamboo.nic.in/people.htm |date=2 May 2012 }}
*[http://buonzawl.blogspot.in/ Buonzawl blog]

{{Lushai frontier}}

[[Category:Culture of Mizoram]]
[[Category:House types]]
[[Category:History of Mizoram]]

Zawlbûk - Revision history

DongXqz408: made some article w/ sources.