Meitei confederacy

This article is about an alliance of seven Meitei groups. For the overall Meitei language-speaking populace, see Meitei people. For the similar septet system of other indigenous communities of Manipur, see Yek Salai. For the ancestor of each yek salai, see Ancestors of Meitei confederacy.

Meitei confederacy, or Meitei confederation,[1][2] is the union of the seven Meitei clans (Meitei: yek salai).[3][4] The seven clans of the Meitei confederacy are[5][6][7][8]

  • Mangang (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) or Ningthouja (ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ)
  • Luwang (ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ)
  • Khuman(ꯈꯨꯃꯟ)
  • Angom (ꯑꯉꯣꯝ)
  • Moilang (ꯃꯣꯏꯂꯥꯡ) or Moirang (ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ)
  • Kha Nganpa (ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ)
  • Chenglei, Sarang Leishangthem (ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ), or Salai Leishangthem (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)

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

Historical territories

Yek Salai States Romanisation Note(s)
Mangang ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Imphal Kangla [13]
Luwang ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡꯁꯪꯕꯝ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Luwangsangbam Kangla
Khuman ꯃꯌꯥꯡ ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ Mayang Imphal
Angom ꯀꯣꯡꯕ Kongba
Moilang ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Moirang Kangla
Kha Nganpa ꯋꯥꯡꯆꯤꯡ ꯁꯪꯒꯥꯏ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Wangching Sanggai Kangla
Chenglei ꯋꯥꯡꯒꯣꯏ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Wangoi Kangla

Number of families

Main article: Yumnak
Romanisation Number 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]
Ningthouja 256 234 115 254[18] 125
Luwang 105 93 56 106[19] 58
Khuman 176 199 103 204[20] 67
Angom 96 109 50 103[21] 62
Moilang 100 110 66 99[22] 67
Kha Nganpa 42 37 17 43[23] 21
Chenglei 62 45 41 65[24] 35

Traditional ancestors

Main article: Ancestors of Meitei confederacy
Clan According to Neelbir Sairem[25] According to Lairenlakpam Bino Devi[26] & N. Tarunkumar Singh[13]
Traditional ancestors Romanisation Traditional ancestors Romanisation
Mangang ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ Pakhangba ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ Pakhangba
Luwang ꯄꯣꯏꯔꯩꯇꯣꯟ Poireiton ꯄꯣꯏꯔꯩꯇꯣꯟ Poireiton
Khuman ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯟ (ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯔꯦꯟ) Thongalen (Thongaren)
Angom ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ Pureiromba ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ Pureiromba
Moilang ꯉꯥꯡꯍꯨꯟꯊꯣꯛ & ꯉꯥꯡꯅꯤꯡꯁꯤꯡ Nganghunthok & Ngangningsing ꯉꯥꯡꯅꯤꯡꯁꯤꯡ Ngangningsing
Kha Nganpa ꯈꯝꯆꯤꯡꯀꯣꯟ Khamchingkon — Khamdingou
Chenglei ꯅꯨꯡꯉꯧ ꯌꯨꯝꯊꯪꯕ Nung-ngou Yumthangba ꯅꯨꯡꯉꯧ ꯌꯨꯝꯊꯪꯕ Nungngou Yumthangba

Swords

Further information: Meitei traditional weapons
Romanisation Illustrations of the swords Names of the swords Romanisation Maximum breadth (cm)[27] Maximum length (cm)[27] Note(s)
Mangang ꯆꯛꯊꯥꯡ Chak Thaang[18] 6.2 59.6 [28][29]
Luwang ꯇꯣꯟꯗꯨꯝꯕ Tondumba[19] 5.7 58.7
Khuman ꯇꯣꯟꯀꯛꯄ Tonkakpa[20] 6.6 57.2
Angom ꯄꯨꯀꯛ ꯊꯥꯡ Pukak Thaang[21] 6.3 50.1
Moilang ꯌꯦꯟꯕꯥ ꯃꯇꯣꯛ ꯁꯥꯕ Yenbaa Matok Saaba/Matok Paanba[22] 7.2 54.2
Kha Nganpa ꯂꯥꯏꯊꯥꯡ ꯆꯤꯅꯥꯏꯕ Laithaang Chinaaiba[23] 5.9 58.6
Chenglei ꯈꯨꯟꯊꯣꯡ ꯊꯥꯡ Khunthong Thaang/Khunthok Laaithaang[24] 5.9 59.1

Classical elements

Yek salai Sacred water Sacred fire Note(s)
Mangang Water of Nungseng (Nungjeng) 7 flames of Meiyei Meithang [18] [30][31]
Luwang Water of Lamphel Flame of Khoiju [19]
Khuman Water of Pumlen Flame of Meithang [20]
Angom Water of Kongba Meironbi Flame of Meiba Chingba Mei [21]
Moilang Water of Loktak 3 flames of Meithang [22]
Kha Nganpa Water of Leitang/Takna Kha Puruk shoubi Flame of Leikham Waimei [23]
Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem) Water of Takna/Takyel 5 flames of Leikham Waimeithang [24]

Totems

Further information: List of creatures in Meitei culture, Plants in Meitei civilisation, and Animals in Meitei civilization
Romanisation Sacred mythical creatures Sacred plants Sacred fishes Sacred leaves Sacred fruits Sacred flowers Sacred woods/timbers Note(s)
Mangang Urum Saareng Angaangba/Ngaahei Thamlaa/Changbilaa Thamchet/Heijang/Heibi Thambaal Angaangba Sayi/Uyung [18] [32][33]
Luwang Khok U Saareng Luwaoba/Ngaamu Laayaai Kihom/Heiba Mellei Heiku/Upal [19]
Khuman Pungphai Saareng Mureinaba/Ngaatin Changbilaa/Kwaaklaa/Khaanglaa Heibung/Heiku/Heibong Leisang/Kwaaklei/Leikhaam Chaokhong/Sayi/Waa [20]
Angom Tairel Saareng Angouba/Ngaraa Laarong/Leihoulaa Heibong/Heiba Tharo/Thambaal (Angouba) Upal/Sayi [21]
Moilang Nauhing Saareng Naapu Khaanglaa Heiyit Yerum Lei/Laangthrei Kuhi/Khanglaa/Tou [22]
Kha Nganpa Napu Nasen Saareng Ngaangna Laangba Leihoulaa/Laaronglaa Heiba/Heibung Haorei/Yerumlei/Mellei/Leisang Ching Yensin [23]
Chenglei Naapi Singbi Saareng Sangbaannana Laangba/Ngaaren Changbilaa/Thamlaa Heijang/Heibung/Heitup Leisang/Leikham/Sangbrei Nongleisang [24]

Sacred colors

Sacred colours[a] Associated Meitei clans Romanisation Note(s)
Red[18] ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) Ningthouja (Mangang) [34][35]
Light blue/White[19] ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ Luwang
Black[20] ꯈꯨꯃꯟ Khuman
White/Yellow[21] ꯑꯉꯣꯝ Angom
Yellow/Dark Red[22] ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ) Moirang (Moilang)
Green (striped)/Sweet potato colour[23] ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ Kha 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c d e "MANGANG YEK SALAI – Manipur Mirror". Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  19. ^ a b c d e "LUWANG SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror". Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  20. ^ a b c d e "KHUMAN SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror". Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  21. ^ a b c d e "ANGOM SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror". Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  22. ^ a b c d e "MOIRANG SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror". Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  23. ^ a b c d e "KHABA NGANBA SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror". Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  24. ^ a b c d e "SALANG LEISHANGTHEM – Manipur Mirror". Retrieved 2025-02-16.
  25. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  26. ^ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. pp. 49, 50. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  27. ^ a b "Singh N. A. , Bezbaruah D., Gourachandra M. / Antrocom Online Journal of Anthropology, vol. 18, n. 2a (2022) 349-356" (PDF).
  28. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  29. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  30. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  31. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  32. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  33. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  34. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  35. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.

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