Preserving Mizo Culture: Women’s Contributions
Image Credit: Scroll
Mizo women play a vital role in preserving and contributing to local knowledge in various domains, ranging from culinary traditions to the richness of their language.
Pi Nuchhungi is an example of a woman whose contribution as a keeper of stories is invaluable. Her collection of folktales in Mizo language Serkawn Graded Readers (1940) was used for a long time in Mizo-medium schools. It consisted of a Primer and three volumes meant for Classes I, II, and III. They were used to teach the Mizo language and at the same time, they introduced young Mizo students to the folktales of their ancestors, thus creating a link between their present and their past.
The Mizo language is a unique and significant aspect of their identity, and women play a crucial role in its protection. They impart the language to their children, ensuring its transmission to future generations.
Their expertise in recipes and language serves as a bridge between different cultures, promoting cultural exchange and appreciation. Through culinary events, language workshops, and social gatherings, Mizo women create spaces where their knowledge can be shared, celebrated, and protected.
Re-reported from the story originally published in Scroll
