Zawlbûk was a traditional bachelorsʼ quarters of the Mizo people, predominantly of the Luseis living in Mizoram, India. It was prominently the largest house in the tribal village, and it was customary for every village to have it constructed in the middle of the habitation. Even though its basic use was as a dormitory for all unmarried men of the village, it was much more a social institution where education, entertainment, skill and personal developments, and security of the tribal community were (almost) entirely centred.
A reconstructed model of Zawlbûk at Reiek
An interior design of Zawlbûk. A big log of wood at the bottom is bawhbel, a fireplace is at the centre, a horizontal opening at far end is bahzar just above dawvan.
Youth dormitories are a traditional institution among several tribal societies of the world including the various tribes of India, the tribes of South-East Asia, and the native Americans.
Khiamniungans dance outside their morung at the Hornbill Festival
Entrance of a Rengma Naga morung at the Kisama Heritage Village