Meitei confederacy

Last updated
Classical Meitei language names of the 7 groups of Meitei race of Kangleipak in their respective 7 sacred colors Classical Meitei language names of the 7 holy clans (Yek Salai Taret) of ancient Meitei ethnicity (Meetei race) of Kangleipak civilisation (early Manipur), in the traditional Meetei Mayek script, in their respective 7 sacred colors.jpg
Classical Meitei language names of the 7 groups of Meitei race of Kangleipak in their respective 7 sacred colors

Meitei confederacy, also known as Meitei confederation, [1] [2] refers to a union of seven groups or clans (Meitei : Yek Salai 7) of the Meitei ethnicity. [3] [4] The 7 components of Meitei confederacy are Ningthouja (also known as Mangang), Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Moirang (Moilang), Khaba-Nganba (Kha-Nganba) and Chenglei (also known as Sarang/Salang/Salai Leisangthem). [5] [6] [7] [8]

Contents

Prior to unification and formation of the "Meitei confederacy," these groups were independent kingdoms ruled by their own kings. The Mangang, also called the Ningthouja group, defeated the other groups and the Ningthouja king became the supreme ruler. Initially, the name "Meitei" referred only to the Ningthouja group, but by the 15th century, it came to refer to all the groups. Over time, the seven groups united to form one nation but remained separate entities. Today, these 7 groups still play an important role in the social structure of Meitei society, especially in determining marriage patterns. The Meiteis do not marry within the same group or yek salai. [9] [10] [11] [12]

Historical territories

StatesRomanisationAssociated Meitei clansRomanisationNote(s)
ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ ꯀꯪꯂꯥImphal Kanglaꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)Ningthouja (Mangang) [13]
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡꯁꯪꯕꯝ ꯀꯪꯂꯥLuwangsangbam KanglaꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡLuwang
ꯃꯌꯥꯡ ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜMayang ImphalꯈꯨꯃꯟKhuman
ꯀꯣꯡꯕKongbaꯑꯉꯣꯝAngom
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯀꯪꯂꯥMoirang Kanglaꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)Moirang (Moilang)
ꯋꯥꯡꯆꯤꯡ ꯁꯪꯒꯥꯏ ꯀꯪꯂꯥWangching Sanggai Kanglaꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄKha Nganpa
ꯋꯥꯡꯒꯣꯏ ꯀꯪꯂꯥWangoi Kanglaꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)Chenglei / Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)

Number of families

Meitei sub-groupsRomanisationNumber of families/surnames (according to N. Monihar [14] )Number of families/surnames (according to Khomdon Lisam [15] )Number of families/surnames (according to T.C. Hodson [16] )Number of families/surnames (according to Manipur Mirror)Number of families/surnames (according to MASTEC) [17]
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)Ningthouja (Mangang)256234115254 [18] 125
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡLuwang1059356106 [19] 58
ꯈꯨꯃꯟKhuman176199103204 [20] 67
ꯑꯉꯣꯝAngom9610950103 [21] 62
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ (ꯃꯣꯏꯂꯥꯡ)Moirang (Moilang)1001106699 [22] 67
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄKha Nganpa42371743 [23] 21
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)62454165 [24] 35

Traditional ancestors

Generic term(s) [25] According to Neelbir Sairem [26] According to Lairenlakpam Bino Devi [27] & N. Tarunkumar Singh [13] Associated Meitei clansRomanisationNote(s)
Traditional ancestorsRomanisationTraditional ancestorsRomanisationTraditional ancestorsRomanisation
ꯃꯉꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯃꯉꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄMangang Pokpa/Mangang Apokpaꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ Pakhangba ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ Pakhangba ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)Ningthouja (Mangang)
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄLuwang Pokpa/Luwang Apokpaꯄꯣꯏꯔꯩꯇꯣꯟ Poireiton ꯄꯣꯏꯔꯩꯇꯣꯟ Poireiton ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡLuwang
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ Khuman Pokpa/Khuman Apokpa ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯟ (ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯔꯦꯟ) Thongalen (Thongaren)ꯈꯨꯃꯟKhuman
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯑꯉꯣꯝ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄAngom Pokpa/Angom Apokpaꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ Pureiromba ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ Pureiromba ꯑꯉꯣꯝAngom
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄMoirang Pokpa/Moirang Apokpaꯉꯥꯡꯍꯨꯟꯊꯣꯛ & ꯉꯥꯡꯅꯤꯡꯁꯤꯡNganghunthok & NgangningsingꯉꯥꯡꯅꯤꯡꯁꯤꯡNgangningsingꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)Moirang (Moilang)
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄKha Nganpa Pokpa/Kha Nganpa ApokpaꯈꯝꯆꯤꯡꯀꯣꯟKhamchingkon—Khamdingouꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄKha Nganpa
ꯆꯦꯡꯂꯩ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯆꯦꯡꯂꯩ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄChenglei Pokpa/Chenglei Apokpaꯅꯨꯡꯉꯧ ꯌꯨꯝꯊꯪꯕNung-ngou Yumthangbaꯅꯨꯡꯉꯧ ꯌꯨꯝꯊꯪꯕNungngou Yumthangbaꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)Chenglei / Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)

Swords

Illustrations of the swordsNames of the swordsRomanisationAssociated Meitei clansRomanisationMaximum breadth (cm) [28] Maximum length (cm) [28] Note(s)
Mangang Dynasty Sword.jpg
ꯆꯛꯊꯥꯡChak Thaang [18] ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)Ningthouja (Mangang)6.259.6 [29] [30]
Luwang Dynasty Sword.jpg
ꯇꯣꯟꯗꯨꯝꯕTondumba [19] ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡLuwang5.758.7
Khuman Dynasty Sword.jpg
ꯇꯣꯟꯀꯛꯄTonkakpa [20] ꯈꯨꯃꯟKhuman6.657.2
Angom Dynasty Sword.jpg
ꯄꯨꯀꯛ ꯊꯥꯡPukak Thaang [21] ꯑꯉꯣꯝAngom6.350.1
Moilang Dynasty Sword.jpg
ꯌꯦꯟꯕꯥ ꯃꯇꯣꯛ ꯁꯥꯕYenbaa Matok Saaba/Matok Paanba [22] ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)Moirang (Moilang)7.254.2
Kha Nganpa Dynasty Sword.jpg
ꯂꯥꯏꯊꯥꯡ ꯆꯤꯅꯥꯏꯕLaithaang Chinaaiba [23] ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄKha Nganpa5.958.6
Salang Leishangthem Dynasty Sword.jpg
ꯈꯨꯟꯊꯣꯡ ꯊꯥꯡKhunthong Thaang/Khunthok Laaithaang [24] ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)5.959.1

Classical elements

Sacred waterSacred fireAssociated Meitei clansRomanisationNote(s)
Water of Nungseng (Nungjeng)7 flames of Meiyei Meithangꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)Ningthouja (Mangang) [18] [31] [32]
Water of LamphelFlame of KhoijuꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡLuwang [19]
Water of PumlenFlame of MeithangꯈꯨꯃꯟKhuman [20]
Water of Kongba MeironbiFlame of Meiba Chingba MeiꯑꯉꯣꯝAngom [21]
Water of Loktak3 flames of Meithangꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)Moirang (Moilang) [22]
Water of Leitang/Takna Kha Puruk shoubiFlame of Leikham Waimeiꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄKha Nganpa [23]
Water of Takna/Takyel5 flames of Leikham Waimeithangꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem) [24]

Totems

Sacred plantsSacred fishesSacred leavesSacred fruitsSacred flowersSacred woods/timbersAssociated Meitei clansRomanisationNote(s)
UrumSaareng Angaangba/NgaaheiThamlaa/ChangbilaaThamchet/Heijang/HeibiThambaal AngaangbaSayi/Uyungꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)Ningthouja (Mangang) [18] [33] [34]
Khok USaareng Luwaoba/NgaamuLaayaaiKihom/HeibaMelleiHeiku/UpalꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡLuwang [19]
PungphaiSaareng Mureinaba/NgaatinChangbilaa/Kwaaklaa/KhaanglaaHeibung/Heiku/HeibongLeisang/Kwaaklei/LeikhaamChaokhong/Sayi/WaaꯈꯨꯃꯟKhuman [20]
TairelSaareng Angouba/NgaraaLaarong/LeihoulaaHeibong/HeibaTharo/Thambaal (Angouba)Upal/SayiꯑꯉꯣꯝAngom [21]
NauhingSaareng NaapuKhaanglaaHeiyitYerum Lei/LaangthreiKuhi/Khanglaa/Touꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)Moirang (Moilang) [22]
Napu NasenSaareng Ngaangna LaangbaLeihoulaa/LaaronglaaHeiba/HeibungHaorei/Yerumlei/Mellei/LeisangChing Yensinꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄKha Nganpa [23]
Naapi SingbiSaareng Sangbaannana Laangba/NgaarenChangbilaa/ThamlaaHeijang/Heibung/HeitupLeisang/Leikham/SangbreiNongleisangꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem) [24]

Sacred colors

Yek Salai 7 Flag, representing the 7 sacred colors of the 7 groups Salai Taret Flag, 2017.jpg
Yek Salai 7 Flag, representing the 7 sacred colors of the 7 groups
Sacred colours [a] Associated Meitei clansRomanisationNote(s)
Red [18] ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)Ningthouja (Mangang) [35] [36]
Light blue/White [19] ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡLuwang
Black [20] ꯈꯨꯃꯟKhuman
White/Yellow [21] ꯑꯉꯣꯝAngom
Yellow/Dark Red [22] ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)Moirang (Moilang)
Green (striped)/Sweet potato colour [23] ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄKha Nganpa
Green/Sky colour [24] ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)

References

  1. ↑ Variations exist based on different contexts as per different sources
  1. ↑ Biswas, Prasenjit; Thomas, C. Joshua (2006). Peace in India's North-East: Meaning, Metaphor, and Method : Essays of Concern and Commitment. Regency Publications. p. 68. ISBN   978-81-89233-48-8.
  2. ↑ Economic and Political Weekly. India: Sameeksha Trust, 2003. p. 2035
  3. ↑ Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 1328. ISBN   978-81-269-0705-2.
  4. ↑ Ghosal, Soma (2003). The Politics of Drugs and India's Northeast. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata. p. 47. ISBN   978-81-7975-065-0.
  5. ↑ "The People - Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC)". mastec.nic.in. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  6. ↑ "The Evolution of The Meetei State By K Manikchand". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  7. ↑ "Evolution of Meitei Society". www.ijaresm.com. Retrieved 2024-10-27. The confederacy was formed by the union of seven clans viz; Ningthouja, Angom, Khuman, Luwang, Kha-nganba, Moirang and Sarang-Leishanthem...
  8. ↑ "Chieftainship among Meiteis Mizos 5". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2024-10-27.
  9. ↑ Devi, Nunglekpam Premi (2018-04-14). A Glimpse of Manipuri Literary Works. FSP Media Publications. p. 41.
  10. ↑ North-East India: Interpreting the Sources of Its History. India: Indian Council of Historical Research, 2008. p. 145
  11. ↑ Ghosh, Subir. Frontier travails : Northeast, the politics of a mess. India: MacMillan, 2001. p. 25
  12. ↑ Journal of the Assam Research Society. India: Kāmarūpa Anusandhān Samiti, 2007. p. 106
  13. 1 2 Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. p. 10. ISBN   978-81-7099-853-2.
  14. ↑ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  15. ↑ "Who are the Indigenous People of Manipur Part 2 By Khomdon Lisam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-02-15.
  16. ↑ Hodson, Thomas Callan. The Meitheis. India: D. Nutt, 1908.
  17. ↑ "The People - Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC)". mastec.nic.in. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 "MANGANG YEK SALAI – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 "LUWANG SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 "KHUMAN SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "ANGOM SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 "MOIRANG SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 "KHABA NGANBA SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "SALANG LEISHANGTHEM – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  25. ↑ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  26. ↑ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  27. ↑ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. pp. 49, 50. ISBN   978-81-7099-849-5.
  28. 1 2 "Singh N. A. , Bezbaruah D., Gourachandra M. / Antrocom Online Journal of Anthropology, vol. 18, n. 2a (2022) 349-356" (PDF).
  29. ↑ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  30. ↑ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  31. ↑ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  32. ↑ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  33. ↑ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  34. ↑ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  35. ↑ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  36. ↑ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.

Other websites

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.