People of Manipur: Know About The Major Tribes of Manipur

According to the 2011 Census of India, it has a total population of 28, 55,794 people living in an area of 22,327 square kilometres. The population of the valley accounts for 58.9% of the total, while the population of the hills accounts for 41.1 per cent.

Tribes:

In Manipur, there are 33 recognized tribes that either belongs to the Nagas or the Kukis, two separate conglomerates of Manipur tribals. The biggest differences between the two populations are their separate accents, clothes, customs, and traditions.

The Meiteis and Nagas are the only two indigenous communities known to have lived in Manipur since the beginning of time. Kukis, on the other hand, has just lately begun to settle in Manipur, and they have arrived in waves, according to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland.

Thadou is the most populous ST in Manipur, with 1.8 lakh people, accounting for 24.6 percent of the state's total ST population, followed by Tangkhul (19.7%), Kabui (11.1%), Paite (6.6%), Hmar (5.8%), Kacha Naga (5.7%), and Vaiphui (5.7%). (5.2 percent ).

The recognized tribes who made their home in Manipur for years now are Aimol, Anal, Chiru, Chothe, Gangte, Inpui, Hmar, Kharam, Khoibu, Koirao, Kom, Lamkang, Liangmai, Mao, Maram, Maring, Mate, Monsang, Moyon, Paite, Poumai, Purum, Ralte, Rongmei (Kabui), Simte, Suhte, Tangkhul, Tarao, Thadou, Thangal, Vaiphei, Zeme and Zou.

Among the many tribes that inhabit Manipur's territory, the following are a handful of the more well-known:

1. Meitei:

The dominant and most important ethnic group in Manipur is the Meitei, who settled in the central plains of the state and make up the bulk of the state's population. Manipur's native language, Meitei, is the most widely spoken in the state.

2. Aimol

Aimol belongs to the Kuki tribes, which may be found in both Assam and Manipur. Aimol translates to "crab mountain." They speak the Aimol language, which is classed as Kuki-Chin-Mizo.

3. Anal

The Anal tribe is one of the oldest in the Tengnoupal district's southern highlands. They used to be known as one of the earliest Kuki tribes, but they now refer to themselves as a Naga tribe.

4. Chiru

Chirus are one of Manipur's and Assam's first residents. Their demeanor, customs, and language look to be Kuki, however their body, habits, hairdo, and other characteristics are Naga.

5. Chothe

They are also known as Purums since they settled in the Purum region of Chandel. The word "chothe" comes from the word "kachohte," which means "to bring or hold a boy."

Despite the fact that landforms and the number of tribes divide Manipur geographically and politically, the common lifestyle followed by different tribes, such as the food they eat, the core reason for the festivals they celebrate, and the bright colors in the clothes they wear, has a strong unifying effect. It's fascinating to observe how so many cultures can coexist with so many similarities while still standing apart in some manner. As a result, it's no surprise that Manipur is known as the "Land of the Jewels."

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