Zeliangrong

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Zeliangrong people
Total population
450 thousand
Languages
Zeliangrong language
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] zeliangrong is not a tribe but a Union, the apex body of the said tribes.

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.

Etymology

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 Inpui(Puimei). 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]

See also

References

  1. ↑ G. K. Ghosh, Shukla Ghosh (1997). Women of Manipur (illustrated ed.). APH. p. 4. ISBN 978-81-7024-897-2. 
  2. ↑ "‘Salt’ of the Soil-The Zeliangrong Story", North East and Me (Food For Thought), retrieved August 23, 2011 
  3. ↑ "A brief account of the Zeliangrong People", Zeliangrong Identity: (Makaam Foundation), retrieved August 23, 2011 

External links

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