Meitei people
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"Meitei" redirects here. For the predominant language of Manipur, see Meitei language.
The Meiteis are the majority ethnic group of Manipur, 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).
SocietyThe 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 whim 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 three social groups now-the Meiteis, 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 ReligionThe 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. LanguageThe 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. FoodThe 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. Martial ArtsThe 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 the 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. Games and SportsMeetei 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. "YUVI-Lakpi" Science and Traditional CultureMeeties are science lovers it is simply indicated by the number of Meeteis student preferring Science during Secondary schools and higher studies than the other subjects. Simply science is the culture of meetei community even though they don,t have the effort to implement good institution and research centre in their Hometown. Comparatively in the North East India, Meetei has stronger number of people and student working in the field of Science for both in Academics and Professionals. Only in Delhi (Universities and institutes) there are more than 70 research students in the field of Science who belong to Meetei community. In few Science journals Meeties occupies good contribution with good publication e.g. Meetei et al..... One of the Meetei Scientist A.R.Meetei has been publishing numbers of highly impact journals in the field of Biomedicals. In Physics numbers of researchers are coming up with strong objectives. Dressing StyleMeeties 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. External links
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