Meitei people

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"Meitei" redirects here. For the predominant language of Manipur, see Meitei language.
Meitei people
Total population 1,648,000[1]
Regions with significant populations Manipur
Language Meiteilon (Manipuri)
Religion Sanamahism

The Meiteis are the majority ethnic group of Manipur, India, and because of this are sometimes referred to as Manipuris. Generally speaking, Meitei is an endonym and Manipuri is an exonym. However, 'manipur' is also a colonial term to identify the "other". The Meitei people are made up of seven clans, which trace their history back to 33 A.D (Written Record).

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[edit] Society

The Meiteis are regarded as non-tribal though tribal heritage does exist. The Meitei society has undergone change from tribal to feudal to modern. Meiteis are categorised as General Category population although the Nagas and Kukis with whom they share their origins and heritage as categorised as tribals. The Meiteis has had a feudal Kingdom since 33 AD under the Ningthouja Dynasty which still exist now. The term Meitei now refers to four social groups now-the Meitei marup(Believes only Meitei culture and God),Meitei goura(Believes both Meitei god and Hindu god), the Meitei Brahmins(locally called Bamons) and the Meitei muslims(called Meitei Pangal or just Pangal). All of them has Meiteilon as their mother-tongue.

Meitei women have always enjoyed high economic and social status in Manipur, and today they work in nearly every social and economic sphere of society. In particular, they control traditional retail, including the Meitei markets and the trade in vegetables and traditional clothing. 'Nupi Keithel' are markets run by Meitei women only, the most prominent one being the royal market, Sana Keithel (also known to tourists and non-Meitei Indians as Ima Keithel) in Imphal.

The traditional dress of the women folk is a sarong called "phanek". It is worn at the waist down to the ankles, or under the arms, covering the breasts and down to mid-calf. Traditionally women do not wear a blouse when the phanek is worn in the higher position. This is complemented by a blouse and a wrap. Men wear a "khudei" which is similar to the Thai and Khmer men's garment which is a knee-length cloth wrapped in folds at the waist. In recent years, men's formal wear is a longer and ankle-length version called a "pheijom" which is similar to the Indian "dhoti".

The Meitei people are well-known for their sporting prowess, hockey and polo are traditional and the Meitei form of martial art, thang ta, has recently been recognised as one of the official forms of international martial arts. 'Polo' which has well known place in international sports is known to be originated from Manipur which original name is 'Sagol Kangjei' a royal game used to be played by kings and royalty of Manipur

[edit] Religion

The major population is concentrated in the Imphal valley of Manipur, Cachar valley of Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Majority of the Meiteis are followers of Vaishnavite Hinduism without leaving their ancient Meitei religion, recently known as "Sanamahi Laining" (Sanamahism).

All the Meities belong to their native Religion Sanamahism as a part of their livelihood. A section to almost half of the total Meiteis follows Sanamahism without mixing with other religion. There are some individuals who follow religions like Christianity and the Bahá'í Faith. The original religion of the native Manipur is Sanamahism. It is still followed and worshiped by the valley and Hill based people even though they are partially converted to Christian and Hindu in recent centuries (1800 and 1700 A.D). Revivalism of this native religion is more or less started by the growing number of educated native people to stand themself stronger in the world of religion.

In the religious history of Manipur, the 14th of May, 1945, the Meetei Marup (Organisation of Meetei Body) was formed in Manipur unanimously. This led to the revival of Meetei traditional, cultures, scripts(Meetei Mayek), customary practices, and traditional religious ceremonies related to the Meetei society. At the en of the 20th century Sanamahism gained a strong foothold owing to the coming of modern education, increase in population and many other social factors. The gap between Sanamahism and Hinduism and Christianity became almost abandon. During this period the impact of Sanamahism became more and more embedded in the hearts and mind of the people at large.

As a result it gave a new hope and dimension in the process of the revivalist's movement of Sanamahism. Old beliefs and religious bindings were untied and the beliefs of emerging movement began to take their place. Many books on how to conduct religious ceremonies with rites and rituals are being published. Holy Books for Sanamahi religion were selected. All these are the advancement of the growth and development of Sanamahi religion. With the establishment of many religious organizations disposed to Sanamahism several interpretation of religious ceremonies, functions and prayers have come up.

On the other hand the influence of other religion like Hindu, Christian, Islam are increasing day by day in the Hill and Valleys which is simply indicated by the growing number of Hindu Temple, Church, Mosques etc. For Meetei/Meiteis it can become a strong threat to the native religion as Native worship places are not taken care of by the Govt. and Local people like other religions.

[edit] Language

The language used is called Meitei-lon. It belongs to the Tibeto-burman family of languages. Literally it means the "language of the Meiteis". But for some time now, it has been known as Manipuri. Since 1992, the language is in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution. Commonly the text is written in the Bengali Script. The original script, called Meitei-mayek, has been out of use for a long time but revived recently. The script and language is taught in the schools and colleges at this time in Manipur.

This much improvement was strongly gain after the Meetei leader Mr. Chingshubam Akaba, who was murdered in connection with the development and popularity of his name in the state on the 31st midnight of December 2006 at his resident gate in Imphal.

People are trying to bring this script up to the international standard as it is the only lone script of NE India.

[edit] Food

The favoured food among the Meiteis is rice, fish and a lot of vegetables. Food stuffs include "Ngari" meaning "Fermented preserved fish" in the native tongue. Due to the fermentation involved, Ngari has a sharp smell and taste, and is principally used in a delectable dish called 'Eromba'.

Manipur valley Meitei has a tradition of keeping ponds at every resident has enough preservation of water and fish as a tradition. So, when they like to eat fish dishes they can just fish from their own ponds. A huge water accumulation in low-lying areas (swamps) as well as number of tributary streams received enough water during the rainy days mainly in the monsoons which helps fish migration and breeding. A huge varieties of fishes bears in this mentioned water bodies including paddy fields and canals. During the flood fishing is very popular in most part of the valley where fishes are wash out from private fish firms and ponds to the shallow lands surfaces but this water and fishes ultimately goes to rivers and then to the “Loktak Lake” a world famous wetland at the south western part of the Valley.

Landscape, climate and vegetation, environment of the valley gives an ultimate food habit of eating fish with different varieties with time to time. For example Dry-fish “Nga Ayaiba” generally prepared drying in sun as well as on fire to preserved in earthen pots to eat during other seasons where enough fish is not available in fresh in part of the valley and foothill regions of Manipur. Examples of Nga Ayaiba are Ngamu, Ukabi, Ngachou, Ngakrijou, Fabounga, Pengba, Ngakup etc. Nga Ayaiba means a lot for Meitei food as it can give a good taste to a kind of curry called “ Kangsoi” prepared by simple boil with vegetables and peaces of Nga Ayaiba or Ngari along with salt, chilly, ginger, onion, green corianders etc. This is most popular cook food among the Meitei family as it controls overweight and fatness with good digestion capacity.

The Meitei people living outside Manipur i.e., other state and Countries import Ngari and Nga Ayaiba when they feel homesick and miss home food. Due to the dry and fried without oil involved, Nga ayaiba has a distinct smell and taste. It is found in low quantities in many Meitei dishes.

Another dish contains "Hawaizar", meaning, "preserved Soya-beans". Soya-bean is boiled on low heat for a time, washed, packed in leaves and let to cool down for several days where it ferments. It is wrapped in banana leaves and distributed. Both the food forms are a cottage industry in Manipur.

Other world distinct dishes of Meiteis include Eromba, a generic name of the dish prepared with crushed boiled vegetables, fermented fish with chilly. This taste is different depending on the type of vegetable used, for example with Bamboo shoot it is called “Soibum eromba ” with Giant bean “Yongchaak eromba” with young banana stem “Laphu eromba” and so on. Where “Ametpa or Morok Metpa and Singju” meaning dry crusted with Ngari with chilly, Chilly with fresh vegetables is even used in the fast food in the local restaurants, it is a hot and tasty preparation. Eromba by its nature is usually on the higer side of hotness when it comes to the amount of chilly used. Oo Morok is a special type of chiily that enhances the taste and it is known to be the hottest chilly in the world. The size of this chilly ranges from one to two inches with pista green colour that turns into orange/red when ripe. Although available round the year, Oo Morok has a preserved version called Oo Morok Akangba, prepared simply by exposing to sunlight.

Other food stuffs are well cook with Masalas i.e., Athongba as generic term Cook with oil and masalas for example Fish dishes cooked with fresh fish with oil and proper masalas are famous for example, Sareng thongba. Ooti thongba (Peas and green leaves with soda (oot), Chagempomba (fine fractions of rich with Hawaizar and green vegetables” makes Meitei food have a distinct taste. Ataoba is also a generic name where every vegetables or meat are fried then we call as Ataoba. Nga-Ataoba (Fried Fish) is most popular food items among Meiteis.

The word “Thakpa “ means to drink any kind of liquids and smokes.

[edit] Martial Arts

The Meeteis introduced two Martial arts in the human society i.e., " Sarit Sarak" and "Thang-Ta" which are still exist in the Manipur. The self defence Martial arts "Sarit -Sarak" is a martial art which is very important among the Meetei people who love to defend themself from any stranger's attack. The Sarit Sarak art of unarmed combat, is quite distinct from other martial art forms. It is simply flawless in its evasive and offensive action, as compared to any other existing martial art of the same school.

Thang-Ta is most popular Meetei Martial arts which is at present seen in most part of theThe Meeteis introduced two Martial arts in the human society i.e., " Sarit Sarak" and "Thang-Ta" which are still exist in the Manipur. The self defence Martial arts "Sarit -Sarak" is a martial art which is very important among the Meet world through demonstration in cultural programs. Fight with the equipment including sword, spear, Axe,etc.

The history of Thang - ta and Sarit - Sarak can be traced to the 17th century. Thang - ta involves using a sword or spear against one or more opponents. Sarit - Sarak is the technique of fighting against armed or unarmed opponents, but on many occasions there is a combined approach to the training of these martial arts. These martial arts were used with great success by the Manipuri kings to fight against the British for a long time. With the British occupation of the region, martial arts were banned, but post - 1950s saw the resurgence of these arts.

Thang-ta is practiced in three different ways. The first way is absolutely ritual in nature, related to the tantric practices. The second way consists of a spectacular performance involving sword and spear dances. These dances can be converted into actual fighting practices. The third way is the actual fighting technique.

Legend has it that Lainingthou Pakhangba, the dragon god - king, ordained King Mungyamba, to kill the demon Moydana of Khagi with a spear and sword, which he presented to the king. According to another such legend, God made the spear and sword with creation of the world. This amazing wealth of Manipuri martial arts has been well preserved, since the days of god king Nongda Lairel Pakhangba. The fascinating Manipuri dance also traces its origin from these martial arts.

[edit] Games and Sports

Meetei Introduced Horse-Polo to the world of game which is originated from the Manipur Valley of NE-India almost more than 1000 years back.The original name of the game is Called Sagol Kangjei sagol stand for Horse and Kangjei stand for hockey stick.

Mukna-Kangjei wrestling-with hockey stick is also a game which is much older game still playing in Manipur.It is a big competition with a group call "Pana" where clubs like body compete this game.

"Kang-Sanaba" it is an indoor game play in every locality at present too.


"Khong Kangjei:"[1]

Like polo, Khong Kangjei, is also a very popular game for the Manipuris. The game is played with seven players on either side and each player is equipped with a bamboo stick about 4ft. in length made in the form of modern hockey stick. The game is started with a throw of the ball made of bamboo root in the field of 200 x 80 yards in area. A player may carry the ball in any manner to the goal, he may even kick it but he has to score the goal only by hitting the ball with his stick. There is no goal post and a goal is scored when the ball crosses the goal line fully. A player often encounters with an opponent in his attempt at carrying or hitting the ball towards the goal. The encounter may develop into a trial of strength which is indigenously known as Mukna. The game requires much physical stamina, speed and agility. In the olden days players excelling in the game received royal favours and prizes.

Hiyang Tannaba:[2]

The sport, which arouses most enthusiasm among the audience with an "apparent lack sporting interest", is the Hiyang Tannaba (The boat race) in which the different Pannas often compete. It receives direct royal patronage with the king once sitting in the boat. The royal boats, two in number, carry the symbols of Chinglai (dragons) at the helm. To see this race with spectacular audience on both sides of the ditch where about seventy rowers display their skills is indeed an experience. The object of the race is for one boat, to foul the other and bore it into the bank. The boats are thus close together and the race is generally won by a foot or two only. This kind of game is patronaged by the kings of Manipur and is regarded as one of the greatest popular sport in Manipur. Thang Ta & Sarit Sarak (Manipuri Martial Arts)[3]

These are the Manipuri Martial Arts, the traditions of which had been passed down over the centuries. It is a very energetic and skillful art and is a way to hone one's battlecraft during the peace time in the olden days when every Manipuri was a warrior who is required to serve his country at the time of war. Long and precise practices is required and only the brave and athletic could excel. The art as seen today observe elaborate rituals and rules which are strictly observed by the participants. Besides, the above, there are other games like Lamjel(foot race), Mangjong (Broad jump) etc.

Sagol Kangjei (POLO)[4]

The Manipuri Sagol Kangjei has been adopted by the International Community as Polo and is now being played worldwide. The 'PUYAS' trace it to the mythological age when the game was played by gods. The game is played with 7 players on each side mounted on ponies which are often not more than 4/5 feet in height. Each player is outfitted with a polo stick made of cane having a narrow angled wooden head fixed at the striking end. The ball, 14 inches in circumference is made of bamboo root. The mounted players hit the ball into the goal. Extremely vigorous and exhilarating the game is now played in two styles - the PANA or original Manipuri style and the International style i.e. Polo. It is exhilarating to see the Manipuri players in their sixties and even seventies riding ponies at full gallop and playing Sagol Kangjei with gusto. The ponies are also decorated fully with various guards protecting the eyes, forehead, flanks etc. The British learned the game of Sagol Kangjei in the 19th Century from Manipur after refinement it was transplanted to the countries as Polo.

Yubi Lakpi (Manipuri Style Rugby played with a Coconut rubbed with edible oil)[5]

"Yubi" is the Manipuri for coconut and "Lakpi" for snatching. Played on the beautiful green turf of the palace ground, or at the Bijoy Govinda Temple Ground. Each side has 7 players in a field that is about 45 x 18 metres in area. One end of the field has a rectangular box 4.5 x 3 mtrs. One side of which forms the central portion of the goal line. To score a goal a player has to approach the goal from the front with his oiled coconut and pass the goal line. The coconut serves the purpose of a ball and is offered to the king or the judges who sit just beyond the goal line. However, in ancient times the teams were not equally matched but the players, with the coconut had to tackle all the rest of the players.

Mukna (Manipuri Wrestling)[6]

The game is the Manipuri style of wrestling played between two male rivals for trial of strength by sheer physical strength and skill. Athletes of the same or approximately the same physical built weight and, age are made rivals. The game is an absolute must for the closing ceremonies of the Lai Haraoba festival. Mukna is a highly popular and prestigious game. In the olden days the game enjoyed royal patronage.

Kang[7]

Played on the mud floor of a big out-house, fixed targets hit with "Kang" which is a flat and oblong instrument made of either ivory or lac. Normally each team has 7 male partners. the game is also played as a mixed-doubles contest. Played strictly during the period between 'Cheiraoba' (Manipuri New Year's day) and the Rath Yatra festival. Manipuri religiously adhere to its time-frame as popular belief holds that if the game is played beyond its given limit, evil spirits invade the mind of players and spectators.

[edit] Science and Traditional Culture

Meeties are science lovers as it is simply indicated by the number of Meetei students preferring science during schooling. Simply science is the culture of meetei community even though they have meagre resources for establishing science institutions and research centres in their hometown. Interestingly, from the North East India, Meeteis are the highest number of people choosing careers in the field of Science. Further, many science based academicians and professionals are working all over the World. One of the notable statistics is - only in Delhi (Universities and Institutes) there are more than 70 Meitei research students in the field of Science. Large number of Meitei researchers/scientists contribute in many of the peer reviewed high impact journals. Large number of physicians, nurses and engineers are also working in various parts of the world. These individuals are comendable for bringing good name to the state and region. Meitei's roles and contributions in the area of science and scientific teachings to other communities in the NE region is worth mentioning too. The scientific minds of meitei should be harnessed and proliferated for the advancement of the mankind in general and the region in particular.

[edit] Dressing Style

Meeties men and women use [Khamen Chatpa Phi] (a printed cloths with seven different colours)a traditionally very important cloth during the ritual ceremonies. This cloths are in form of Shirts -(kurta) and cloths- (kumis). There are seven different colours of Khamenchatpa with a single colours in each Cloths based on the colour code of seven clan of the Meetei. These types of cloths are rare and keep with care.

And for the casual Meetei women created their designs in the form of Wangkhei Phi, Moirang Phi etc.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ethnologue.com