Zeliangrong

Last updated

Zeliangrong people
Languages
Zeliangrong languages
Religion
Christianity (majority), Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak, Paupaise and Heraka.
Related ethnic groups
Other Naga tribes

Zeliangrong people are one of the major indigenous Naga communities living in the tri-junction of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in India. They are the descendants of Nguiba. The term "Zeliangrong" refers to the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei Kindred tribes combined. [1] Earlier, the term also covered the Inpui tribe. [2] The descendants of Hoi of Makuilongdi (Makhel) were divided and were made peripheral appendages to three political entities - Nagaland , Manipur and the Dima Hasao (N.C Hill district) of Assam. The Zeliangrong may be classified as an ethno-cultural entity. The Zeliangrong belong to the larger Southern Mongoloid population and their language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. [3]

Contents

Etymology

The ethnonym ‘Zeliangrong’ is derived from 3 words ZE-LIANG-RONG. ZE from Zeme, LIANG from Liangmai and Rong from Rongmei. It traced back to the three kindred tribes. The three tribes are the 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).

The word Zeliangrong was first coined on 15 February 1947 at Keishamthong Imphal. [4] The terminology Zeliangrong was coined in coherence with the solidarity movement after India's independence.

Population

The population of Zeliangrong in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland is estimated to be around 4.9 - 5 lakhs (approx). According to 2011 census data of India. In Nagaland state; Zeme and Liangmai numbers around 84,877. Whereas, In Manipur holds around 186,158. Hence, Rongmei holds a number of 197,908 in Manipur. Zeme Liangmai and Rongmei also settled in Dima Hasao District of Assam and other parts Assam which holds to be in between 50 and 60 thousands.

Religion

When it comes to religion, majority of Zeliangrong follow Christianity.

At present, the non-Christian Zeliangrongs follow three faiths, namely the the Heraka, Poupei Chapriak (in Assam) and Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (in Manipur), all venerating Tingkao Ragwang (Tingwang in short), the supreme deity of the Zeliangrong pantheon.

Distribution

The Zeliangrongs have been living in the present location of their 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, Senapati district, Kangvai subdivision of Churachanpur district, Jiribam subdivision of Imphal district, Imphal valley and Cachar district along with various villages and its adjoining slopes in Manipur.

Earlier Manipur had only 9 districts but due to administrative changes, it led to formation of 7 new districts namely Kamjong, Kakching, Noney, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl and Jiribam. [5]

See also

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rongmei people</span> Tibeto-Burman indigenous ethnic group in the northeast India

The Rongmeis are one of the Naga ethnic communities of North-East India. They are recognised as a scheduled tribe (STs) in the Constitution of India.

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Lianglad is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by Liangmai Naga community in India. It has been called Kwoireng and is particularly close to Zeme and Rongmei.

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Lui Ngai Ni is the seed-sowing festival celebrated by the Naga tribes of Manipur India. The festival heralds the season of seed sowing and marks the start of the year for the Nagas and the festival was declared a state holiday since 1988.

Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (TRC) is one of the two traditional religions followed by the Zeliangrong people of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland states in North Eastern India. It is a polytheistic religion based on the fundamental belief of Tingkao Ragwang, the supreme god or almighty and other smaller brotherly gods.

<i>Gaan-Ngai</i> Festival in India

Gaan-Ngai is a festival of the Zeliangrong people of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland states in North Eastern India. Gaan-Ngai is a festival of light, celebrating the victory of light over evil and the commemoration of the coming of light or fire. It is a post harvest festival celebrated to thank the God Tingkao Ragwang for a good harvest season and heralds the beginning of a new year. The festival is celebrated for five days with various rituals, prayers and festivities such as music, dance and feast accompanying the same.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hill tribes of Northeast India</span> Indian ethnic group

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme</span> Indian social worker

Ramkuiwangbe Jeme Newme is an Indian social worker from Assam. He is a retired Elementary Education Officer from Dima Hasao district of Assam. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2023 for his lifelong efforts to promote education, eradicate sacrifice and protect and preserve the Heraka movement of the Naga people.

References

  1. ↑ G. K. Ghosh, Shukla Ghosh (1997). Women of Manipur (illustrated ed.). APH. p. 4. ISBN   978-81-7024-897-2.
  2. ↑ Richard Kamei, Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee, and Pradip Phanjoubam. Tribalism Without the Tribes. 8 August 2017.
  3. ↑ "'Salt' of the Soil-The Zeliangrong Story". FOOD FOR THOUGHT. 29 March 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  4. ↑ "Bill 108 of 2011 and need to understand the words Naga Zeliangrong and balkanization". e-pao.net. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "7 new districts formed in Manipur amid opposition by Nagas".
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