Title: Mezhie Mere Numi (The Hardworking Orphan)
Language: Khezha – Chakesang
Description: Chakhesang Naga folklore is a rich and diverse collection of traditional stories, myths, legends, and cultural narratives belonging to the Chakhesang people of Nagaland, India. These folktales are orally transmitted from generation to generation, reflecting the history, beliefs, values, and way of life of the Chakhesang community. Folklore encompasses a wide range of themes, including creation myths, hero tales, moral lessons, and explanations of natural phenomena. These stories play a vital role in preserving the cultural identity and heritage of the Chakhesang people while offering insights into their worldview and traditions. In a small village, an orphan boy works on a wealthy landowner’s fields to earn his daily bread due to his lack of land. Villagers communicate through folk songs, and the orphan uses them to connect with his beloved. The village’s social life revolves around agriculture and labor, leading to the emergence of oral traditions.
The orphan’s life is entwined with folk songs, especially when communicating with his beloved. The tradition of folk songs symbolizes the villager’s emotional connection. A competition for social status arises through hosting feats, requiring labor from others. The orphan composes a folksong expressing his hardships and longing for home.
The orphan’s folk song serves as a poignant representation of his struggles and desire for freedom. It reflects his exhaustion, physical pain, yearning for rest. The song captures the essence of his life’s challenges, showcasing the conflict between his dreams and the reality of his laborious existence. The folksong highlights the social dynamics within the village, where the rich hold feasts to gain status, demanding labor from the community. This intensifies the labor disparities between the rich and the poor. The community becomes a microcosm of societal hierarchies and struggles.
The folktale unveils the intricacies of village life through the orphan’s story and his folk song. It portrays the aspirants, challenges, and interdependencies that shape the villager’s lives. The narrative showcases the yearning for a better existence and sheds light on the disparities and imbalances that exist within the community. In this portrayal, the resolution remains open-ended, reflecting the ongoing complexities of the villager’s lives.

Format & Duration: Audio: 4mins 45secs
Date of Recording: 23-Jul-2023
Date of Upload: 02-Nov-2023
Performer: Lhitsope Letro
Creator: Kechieteu Letro
Publisher: Tetso College, Dimapur
Note: NA

Cite this work

Letro Kechieteu. 2023. Mezhie Mere Numi (The Hardworking Orphan). (https://neiipa.in/audio/mezhie-mere-numi-the-hardworking-orphan/) NEIIPA,Tetso College. Accessed: (23-Jul-2024)