Bamduan Reki
Concept Note
Since time immemorial, Luangdimai/Zeliangrong people are known to have built ‘Bamduan’ which is a construction of stone seats arranged in a circular or semi circular fashion. They are usually centrally located in the village, but also built along jhum/ terrace-field paths or inter village paths. The ones outside the village are built some distance beyond the village gate and they serve as a resting place for tired villagers returning from the field with heavy loads and for the weary travellers coming from afar so that they can rest and recover before reaching home.
Stones used for making the Bamduan are carefully chosen, taking into consideration their texture and longevity and are arranged in such a way that they would not be affected by the weathering elements.
Bamduan are built either by the village collectively or by an individual as a benevolent act. Such individual builders are highly respected and their benevolent act regarded as dignified. Thus, Feasts of Merit sometimes culminates with the completion and inauguration of such constructions.
A Bamduan inside the village is an integral part of a village life and serves as a Reki, a common gathering place for chit-chats and meetings of the male members of the village. Such Bamduan is also a recreational place for all during leisure time, regardless of age or gender. It is a place of sharing information. Bamduan, thus, serves as a common place of exchange of knowledge and ideas by the members of the village.
The Luangdimai people are now spread all over the world and a sizeable population are now living in towns and cities where Bamduan Reki culture is not practiced anymore. Some of the culture once practiced in the villages are lost due to the influences of dominant cultures and religions. However, though living miles away from their respective villages, most Luangdimai people long to connect to their roots and to the village life in one way or the other. It is felt that some of our good culture can still be practiced by suitably modifying some of the elements and keeping the essence intact. Therefore, Luangdimai Citizens Forum is launching the Bamduan Reki, which is a talk and discussion series for all Luangdimai people, both men and women, to once again come together for meetings and active discussions.
Bamduan Reki envisages connecting and meeting people from diverse backgrounds, professions and organisations, from different regions of Luangdiram and beyond. It seeks to share and disseminate ideas and knowledge for the common growth and success of the Luangdimai society.
Bamduan Reki is an online forum to discuss pertinent issues confronting the Luangdimai people today. The session shall be coordinated by a host and a guest speaker who will talk on the given topic which shall be followed by open discussion by the participating members of the Luangdimai community.The frequency of the meeting as of now shall be once a month and the timing is kept in the evening 18:00 to 19:30 Hrs IST.
Luangdimai Wiye
Luangdimai Ringtelou!