The faculty of Sociology Department along with the 5th Semester Sociology Honours students from both Kohima and Sechu campus, undertook a rural trip to Mezoma village, on 13th October, 2023. The rural trip was undertaken as a departmental activity based on 5th Semester paper- Rural Sociology. Five (5) teaching faculty and fifty seven (57) students participated in the rural trip. The group was guided by three Mezoma local youth.
Mezoma village is located in Sechu Zubza circle of Kohima district in Nagaland, India. It is situated 10km away from sub-district headquarter Sechu-zubza (tehsildar office) and 20km away from district headquarter Kohima. Based on 2011 Census data, Mezoma has a total population of 2,177 peoples, out of which male population accounts for 1100, while female population is 1077. Literacy rate of Mezoma village stands at 76.44% out of which 81.27% males and 71.49% females are literate. There are about 340 houses in Mezoma village.
On reaching Mezoma village, the group had refreshment at a traditional rest house built by a village peer group called Tsakiezo. This rest house was located around a traditional forest land where more than 300 stones/pillars were traditionally erected by ancestors who conducted the Feast of Merit. It is known to be the largest area with traditionally erected pillars/stones in Nagaland. This historically significant land also consisted of a traditional bathing place called Dzulubou where youth on returning from hunting or fields would take bath.
The group then visited another famous spot in Mezoma called the Lovers path. A terrain with thirty two turns (32). The thirty two turns bear the idea that a person sees his/her lover’s face at each turn. This was followed by an observation of the village and interaction with guides as the group walked to the village top for lunch.
After lunch, the group engaged in more sightseeing and interaction. The trip ended with a short formal program where Dr. Khobu Tsolo shared a few thoughts and conveyed gratitude to the local youth guides and Mezoma village.
The 5th semester students were divided into five (5) groups given specific topics with regard to the study of Mezoma village:
- Historical background and significance.
- Political system and governance.
- Socio-economic-demographic profile.
- Changing trends.
- Social issues and Challenges.
Based on the above mentioned topics, a brief report was prepared by the students and edited by teachers.
