Zawlbuk is the dormitory for the youth in a typical village in
Mizoram. In case a village is big, the area is divided into smaller parts called as Veng, with each part having a Zawlbuk of its own. These dormitories form an important component in the culture of the people, helping to shape the youth into a responsible citizen of the society. A boy reaching the age of 15 is considered eligible to join the dormitory. This dormitory system is similar to the Ghotul maintained by the central Indian tribes.
A Zawlbuk is made up of a large building with enough space for the youths to sleep. These youths are taught the art of wrestling, hunting and village governance. The training session is intensive and requires discipline. Apart from the basic skills in self-defense, a positive attitude toward life, along with the basic values is imparted on the young minds.
Apart from shaping the minds of the youths, Zawlbuk also serves as a rest house for the travelers and visitors to the village.
