| Total population |
|---|
| 450 thousand |
| Languages |
| Related ethnic groups |
|
Naga tribes: Makhel, Angami, Chakhesang, Rengma, Mao, Poumai, Maram, Thangal Tangkhul |
Zeliangrong people are one of the major indigenous mongoloid communities living in the tri-junction of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in India. The term "Zeliangrong" refers to the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei Naga tribes combined together.[1]
The descendants of Hoi of Makuilongdi (Makhel) were divided and were made peripheral appendages to three political entities - Manipur, Naga Hills (Nagaland) and the North Cachar District of Assam.
The Zeliangrongs number around four hundred fifty thousand according to 2011 census. Zeliangrong can be classified as an ethno-cultural entity. Racially they are Southern Mongoloid and linguistically Tibeto-Burman.[2]
The Zeliangrong have been occupying the present land since time immemorial in a compact and contiguous geographical setting of approximately 12,000 km2 lying between 93 degrees E and 94 degree E longitude and 94.40 degrees and 24 degrees N latitude in N. C Hills of Assam; Peren district of Nagaland; Tamenglong district, Sardar hills of Senapati district, northern part Henglep subdivision of Churachanpur district, Jiribam subdivision of Imphal district, Imphal valley and Silchar Town and its adjoining slopes in Manipur.
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The ethnonym, or term ‘Zeliangrong’ is a break up that can be traced to the terms Zeme (dwellers of the warmer) or Mejahme (lower region), Liangmai (men of the North) the original Northerner; on the other hand the term Rongmei (people settled in the south) and finally Puimei (of Puichei). A new terminology Zeliangrong was coined in coherence with the solidarity movement after India’s independence. The Zemes, Liangmais and Rongmeis dominate the demography in the district of Peren.[3]