A Yek Salai or a Yek or a Salai refers to one member group within a union of seven groups, predominantly in the traditions of the indigenous communities with origins in Kangleipak (present day Manipur state of India). The most notable example of such a union of 7 yek salai groups is that of the Meitei confederacy ( Meitei : Meitei Yek Salai Taret). Each yek salai group contains numerous families ( Meitei : yumnak ). [1] [2] [3] Initially, "yek" means "lineage", and "salai" means "clan". [4]
It also exists in other ethnicities, including but not limited to Aimol people, Anal people, Chiru people, Chothe people, Inpui people, Kabui people, Kharam people, Koireng people, Kom people, Lamkang people, Liangmei people, Mao people, Maram people, Maring people, Moyon people, Monshang people, Paomai people, Purum people, Rongmei people, Tarao people, Thangal people, Tangkhul people and Zemei people. [5]
| Ethnicities | Groups | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anal (Anan) | Murchal | Masum | Pasen | Chantung | Runlal | Yasha | Hrangpung |
| Chiru | Samia | Ashou | Achi | Sonam | Anam Bahai | Hua | Achon |
| Chothe, Kom | Yurung | Thao | Marim | Parpa | Rrangsai | Makal | Rakhung |
| Inpui | Riamroi | Bariam | Khumba | Inka | Bariamtak | Bariampaan | Balang |
| Kabui | Kammei | Gangmei | Golmei | Lomgmei | Maringmei | Palmei | Paomei |
| Koireng | Yaite | Sonthu | Leison | Tumtin | Tente | Walbe | Mikle |
| Kharam | Sheiphu | Sheichel | Rangla | Rakhou | Seilou | Mareeyam | Kailam |
| Lamkang | Suwngnem/Sankhil | Khular | Dilbung | Shilshi | Tholung/Jangvei | Kangten | Leivon, Surte |
| Mao | Ahui | Amei | Sinmarei | Akonglei | Asus Anem | Khote Lamei | Anui |
| Maram | Akhanosum | Soute | Ahongnu | Asom | Luklei | Lusae | Hakup |
| Maring | Dalla | Raj | Dingthoi | Chongdur | Sampur | Thoitak | Thangnga |
| Moyon and Monsang | Ruin Wangran | Chinir Numgohin | Sason Hungam | Songahir Khartur | Nguru Langrom | Sirbum Turip | Bungehir Charu |
| Poumai | Alui | Akhet | Ahim | Atao | Amei Hutae | Amei Hutei | Aman |
| Purum | Haonam | Puinae | Seo | Louten | Hounae | Haotuk | Henttaogh |
| Tangkhul | Duidang | Sadang | Khodang | Khapudang | Choudang | Sithudand | Kingdang |
| Tarao | Akheng Lentae | Atoilu | Puinae | Lourrei | Lanchi Siru | Alikleiill na | Alek |
Heirem Khunjan, Hao-rok Konthou and some other ancient Manipuri text and archaeological findings. N. Birachandra, Meitei Leipakta Yek Salai Hourakpa. Amasy Chaokhalakpa