Traditional Dormitories of Assam

The institution of Deka-chang is said to be an Indo-Mongoloid feature that once existed among all the tribes belonging to race. Thus, it is said that the Bodos also once had the institution of youth dormitory separately for boys and girls known respectively as No- Chabada and Thaphri Falla. The No- Chabada was constructed in the entry point of a village, which was a platform architecture , constructed on tree top. The boys used to live there to guard the village and acquire different skills and education. On other hand, the girls, after the attainment of puberty till their marriage, used to stay in the Thaphri Falla where the old ladies used to give them lessons on cooking, weaving, singing and dancing and so on (Medhi:2016).

However, the institution gradually lost its original glory, relevance, and functionality in changing situation and condition. Therefore, the institution is in a decaying state at present. In some societies, the institution is already either extinct or mutated to different institution. However, some societies are still maintaining the tradition of the institution, though with a varied function and character. There are the evidences of the prevalence of this institute in many tribal societies of Assam and North East as a whole. The institution is continuing in some societies but as instances, which gradually lost the original function and importance.

The Deka-chang is the generic term that refers a youth dormitory while the Morong is another term commonly used. The institution is however, known by different names in respective tribal communities of the state. Thus, the Misings call it Morang or Murang Akum, Deoris as Eleng-ghar, Karbis as Jirkedam, Garos as Nokpante, Dimasa as Nodrung, Tiwas as Chamadi, and so on. Though there is no prevalence of the institution among the Rabhas and Nocte of Assam, they also traditionally have the institution known respectively as Naksa-Nagou and Pang or Morong. Though known by different names, the institute is identical in respect to its functions and general features. As mentioned earlier, the concept of the institution perhaps developed out of the necessity of providing protection and defence. The general nature and positioning of the architecture hints to such possibility.

The Deka-chang is usually a platform architecture of conspicuous height, sparsely enclosed or without the enclosing wall. It is erected at a crucial position, ideally in the middle or at the extremity of village. Nevertheless, the structure may appear as a walled, earth-fast architecture. Thus, the Eleng-ghar, the dormitory architecture of the Deuris used to be an un-walled or sparsely walled structure of some 20 to 25 feet high. Similarly, the Mising Murang Akum is a walled stilt architecture. Contrariwise, the Nodrung of the Dimasa is a centrally located, walled architecture of earth-fast variety while the Garo Nokpante is a partially walled architecture. On the other hand, the Tiwa dormitory of Chamadi, which is an un-walled structure exist both as a stilt and as earth-fast variety.