Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial Contd. from previous issue , Thursday June 15, 2017 Mr. CM, it should be : The Boiling Bowl of Ethnicity By: Dr. Aaron Lungleng Rivers in Imphal and not The Meities attend his coronation ceremony to pay neighbors. Several times, neighboring up till the beginning of the 20th century. According to Iboongohal Singh, “The homage to him. Marjit refused to attend kingdom men and royals pay a visit to Whereas, the Nagas and Meiteis at that only Imphal River original inhabitants of Manipur were the the coronation, which offended the the friendly Naga villages; they were time had already set up a proper village Kiratas (some tribes of Nagas), by that Burmese king. Thus, he sends a large treated as an honored guest due to state on the other hand the Meitie had Chief Minister N. Biren Singh’s serious concern to time, Manipur valley was full of water” force under the command of General generations’ contacts through trade established their own kingdom. the flash flood, which had breached River Banks at (Singh, 1987:10). The present valley Maha Bandula to humble Marjit. Has even in the time of headhunting. Their The probability of the Kukis migrating many places, is indeed the need of the hour. There inhabitants (Imphal valley) were known human grateful attitude learnt sympathetic treatment cannot therefore upward from the Burma cannot be may be many reasons of the flash flood which had by different names by their neighbors Meetrabak/ would never face such be taken as conquest in any sense. amenable. But the genesis of the word inundated many homes in valley area but one common prior to being called the Meitei. catastrophe as that brought about by the Today the dynastic princely subjects ‘Kuki’ is woven into confusion and Shans or Pongs, and the Keratis called Burmese conquest and brought under the called the Kangleichas the central valley complexity. It is best guess that the notice is the constructions of structures on the river the area Cassay, the Burmese Kathe, and rule of Awa for the seven years between (Imphal valley), which is made up of term ‘Kuki’ must be given by the bank. the Assamese Meklee. Mythological 1819 and 1826, which is known as Chahi only 700 square miles (Singh, 1980). outsiders. ‘Mora’ Cyclone was considered reasons for heavy origin dates back to 1500 BC begin with Taret Kuntakpa in the history of The origin of the Meiteis cannot The precise description of rains in NE states particularly in Manipur and the reign of the “Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Meitreibak until the British East India be precisely determined from the Kuki by G. A. Grierson reveals in his subsequent floods and Mudslide in the state during Athoupa Pakhangpa” (Pakhangpa was Company’s interest to conquest the literature available. Horam observed Linguistic Survey of India, Voll-III, the name given to him meaning “The one southeast Asia surface in 1834 (Anglo that the origin of the Meiteis is obscure Part-III, Culcutta, 1904, P. 23 that, the June first week. who knows his father”). He gave birth Burmese War). Then on, Meitreipak (Horam 1990, 4). Scholars differ Kukis, are migrants, shifting their When the impact of the Mora Cyclone flood is yet to to seven clans. 1. Mangang, 2. Luwang, fought for British Suzerainty during the sharply in their opinion on whether the village sites every 4 or 5 years and be recovered Monsoon Rains started sprinkling to 3. Khuman, 4. Angom, 5. Moirang, 6. Battle of Yangon (May–December Meiteis are Aryans or Mongoloids. never take to permanent irrigation and neutralize the summer hit. The nature’s cycle turns Khapa-Nganba, and 7. Salai-leisangthem. 1824), Battle of Danubyu (March–April There are those who claim that the terraced rice cultivation by means of devastation. Overnight torrential rains overflow According to , the 1825), Arakan campaign (February– Meiteis are descendants of Arjuna of irrigation. Their cattle are invariably royal chronicle, Nongda Lairen April 1825), 17 September 1825, Mahabharata and are therefore Aryan ‘Methun’. On the other hand, Nagas almost all major Rivers in Imphal. Several homes were (33–154 AD) was the first an armistice and the Battle of Prome in origin. But the journey of Arjuna to had permanent village sites and inundated living many homeless as River water over ruler and the creator of Meeteileipak or (November–December 1825) until the Manipur by the sea cannot be Manipur/ permanent irrigated and terraced rice flows and breached at many places. Kangleipak (possibly could refer to Burmese were forced to accept the Kangleipak found in the Mahabharata. fields and they keep ordinary Indian Construction of infrastructures on the bank of rivers mosquitoes, ‘kang’=mosquitoes, British terms to end the war, signing Referring the folk tales, the mitei cattle. While Miri, Mrinal (2003) is also one reason for the uncontrolled flash flood . ‘leipak’=land as mentioned in the Nagas the Treaty of Yandabo in February is the younger brother of the Nagas. states that there is no historical folklores that the mosquito menace cause 1826. Therefore, without the representation information about the Kuki before the When Mr. Chief Minister said that his govt. is all set to migrate at a higher altitude). He was Humiliation was not learned yet, of the Nagas, Leiharaoba/Haojongba 19th century. Likewise, Johnstone, for clearing up all construction along the River banks the first historical ruler whose reign he fled from Meitreibak to Cacahar. cannot be observed. This tradition is states that, Kuki settlement in of Imphal River, he did really showed his concerns. began in 33 AD according to Seeing the kindness of the Chachari still practiced till today. “There can be Manipur was started from 1830 But what about other structures that are constructed, the Cheitharol Kumbaba. prince and weaknesses too, the fleeing little doubt that some time or other the (Manipur and Naga Hills, 1896, p. 25) giving obstacle to the river flow at Nambul, Iril, Contradictions surface when recorded prince starts vying conquest to the Naga tribes to the north made one of which affirms that Kukis are the last historical facts are referred. The Cachari territory. In 1819, three brothers their chiefs Rajah of Manipur, and that immigrants into the present northeast Thoubal, Wanjing river etc. Ningthouja/royal dynasty recorded occupied Cachar and drove Govinda his family, while, like the Manchus in states of India. It is has been discussed time and again that the Panheiba (1720-1751) as the first Chandra out to Sylhet. Later, China and other conquerors, adopting Earlier, this Tibeto-Burman massive deforestation that has been taking place in monarch and Bodhchardra Singh (1941- Meidingngu Gambhir Singh (1826– the civilization of the country, retained language speaker Kuki spread catchment area of rivers flowing in Imphal is the 1949) as the last king of the 16 monarchs 1834) with help from the British East some of their old customs. This is throughout northwestern Burma, and cause of this artificial flood. Why don’t our Chief of Kangleipak. Therefore, Horam India Company expelled the Burmese shown in the curious practice of Ranee the Chittagong Hill Tracts of observed that the origin of the Meiteis of Awa from Meitrabak beyond the appearing in Naga costume; also in the Bangladesh. Now in Northeast India, Minister think of some long lasting plan to solve the is obscure (Horam 1990, 4). This has Ningthi Turel (Chindwin River) and palace a house built like a Naga’s, and they are present in all the states except artificial flood. become a subject of endless debate regained the lost Kingdom. wherever he goes, he is attended by two Arunachal Pradesh. “This dispersal The need of the hour is to co-ordinate the Forest (Tarapot 1993, 62). Kumar states that Meidingngu Nara Singh (1844–1850) or three Manipuris with Naga arms and across international borders is a Dept., Ecology and Environment wing as well as other great controversies still persist regarding was the second cousin of Gambhir Singh accoutrements” (Sir James Johnstone, culmination of punitive actions made concern dept. like the IFCD, PWD etc. the origin of the Meiteis (Kumar 2001, and the regent. Kumidini, mother of 1896). From time immemorial Nagas by the British during their occupation 3). This is because most of their written Chandrakirti, was dissatisfied with the and Meitie does not, neither raid or of India” (T. Haokip, 2013). At some Let the future generation talk about the good works of records were composed after they arrangement and fled to Cachar with her conquering. It is suspected that a policy point of time, ‘Chin’ or ‘Kuki’ or Today’s govt. led by Chief Minister N. Biren Singh by became Hindus and therefore are not very son. At the wish of the people of of inflicting one another and subjugation ‘Lushai/Zos’ were compounded taking making sure that no artificial flood occurs in the future. reliable (Bhattarcharya 1963, 180; Dun Meitreibak he ascended the throne in was not adopted between them which as synonymous. It was due to social 1992, 15). 1844 at the age of 51. He then shifted must be due to their bond of common and political isolation even non-Kukis The literature shows that the name of the capital from Langthabal to Kangla descendant/brotherhood. Naturally, by are also at random amalgamate into the the present Manipur was given to this where he reconstructed the two statues origin if the elder brother is a Mongoloid fold of Kuki speciously by the land after the declaration of Hinduism of the Kangla Sha at Uttra made by than, younger brother must belong to outsiders. On the basis of linguistic ‘Hostel for Girls only’ as the state religion during the reign of Meidingngu Chaurajit and that the the same unless matrimonial intervene affinity G. A. Grierson placed the so- Pamheiba (1702-1751) whose Hindu Burmese had dismantled and destroyed. to become blended or otherwise. So, called Chin-Lushai-Kuki people in the name is Garibniwaz, in the beginning of The same story repeats; traditional theory, which is widely Kuki-Chin group of Tibeto-Burman PANTHOIBI HOUSE the eighteenth century (Kumar 2001, 1) Meidingngu Chandrakirti (1850–86) accepted by scholars and writers, is that family. He, however, correctly states that the name ‘Manipur’ came into being. came from Cachar, defeated Debendra the Meiteis originated from the that the people do not themselves Located at North Campus Delhi University According to Kumar, she (Manipur) had and regained the throne in 1850. During Mongoloid race. Historians and recognize these names (G A Grierson, different indigenous names such as his reign, all the sacred and holy places scholars such as Roy, Thumra, Horam, Linguistic Survey of India. Vol. III Part (Address:- New House No. 57 (62 New No.) Purani Tillikoktong Ahanba in Hayi Chak, Mira inside Kangla were developed and Hodson, N. Tombi Singh, and Parratt III, Calcutta 1904,) thereby a generic Chopal, Dhaka Gaon, GTB Nagar Metro Station . Gate Pongthoklam in Haya Chak, Hanna maintained. The revolt of the throne support this tradition. N. Tombi Singh, group such as ‘Khulmi’ who claimed No. 5, Delhi - 110009) samba konna loiba in Khunung Chak and would go on until The Anglo-Manipur a Meitei scholar, states, “Many... think to have originated from a ‘Khul’ Muwapali Mayai Sumtongpan in early War of 1891 or known as Manipur that there is a basic difference between meaning a ‘cave’ are said to be a total Facilities- Konna (Langba) Chak. In the later ages expedition. Three columns of troops the valley people of Manipur (Meiteis) distinct ethnic group from the Kukis. - 24x7 Electricity Monthly fee of Konna (Langba) Chak, it was from Kohima, and Tamu were and those who are in hill areas. In fact, Similarly, the Hmars (scattered in - 24 hours Wi-Fi including Break popularly known as Kanglei Pungmayol, sent to Manipur. The strongest it is not so. The entire people of different parts of North-East India and - Geyser fast, Lunch, Kangleipak, and Meitreibak. Her other resistance from Meitrabak took place Manipur belong to the same ethnic Burma, most of them live in - Cooler Dinner - Rs. 7000/ names were Chakpa Langba, then at Khongjom on 25 April. group and trace their origin more or less Churachandpur district and - Mineral water - only Muwapali, and then Wangang Tengthong Ever since the inception of ato the Sino-Tibetan group of human concentrate in and around Tipaimukh, Mayung Kuiba Lemthong Maphei princely kingdom known as Kangleipak species.” (Singh, 1972). Despite the Vangai ranges and Jiribam areas) Pakpa and, later on she was called Poirei and adoption of literature to record in various claim, “It is difficult for the strongly protested to be called a sub Run by: Khulna Laimayum Meitei after the advent of Poireiton its royal monarch ruled, no historical Meiteis to claim any racial purity due tribe of Kuki on the grounds that– the (Kumar 2001, 1-2). accounts mentioned either animosity to their long stories of migration and a Hmars never called themselves even The Manipuri lady who Thrashed local goons at New Delhi single The Kanglei which is now called nor suzerainty by its kingdom over the series of invasion by the Aryans, Shans, from their forefathers and would never handedly for snatching gold from her “Kangla” was the first capital of the hill tribes (Hao) and vice versa. and ” (Singh 1988, 149). do so in future. They believed that they For details : Contact kingdom called “Kangleipak”. The Meitribak might at was successively Beyond doubt, Meitei would show an were also originated from ‘Suilung’ “Kangleichas” (the valley settlers now invaded subjugated three times by the admixture of race as seen through the somewhere in china similar to the Paite Mobile No. 91-9540999858; 9911846132 Meitei) were the subject of this small Awa. But, along with the loss of many invasions by awe or expulsion to who believed that they were originated Email: [email protected] dynasty strictly restricted to the present Meitribak, Nagas do not lose their Ahom and Cachar. Such blended from “Chinnuai” (Chinwe) somewhere Imphal valley. During the reign of its 16 sovereign village state. Therefore, communities cannot be easily from Southern part of China or Chin royal kings there were no historical mentioned may not be found in any ascertained to one racial stock hills. Different Zomi tribes hold the accounts of the Meitei invading the Naga historical treaty of Meitreibak or the anthropologically. Yet, the majority of common belief that they originally country and vice-versa though relatively Awa or the Ahom and the Takhen the population would manifest a emerged out of a cave or hole. This WHENEVER YOU SEE CONSTRUCTION surrounded to his kingdom. She was (Tripura) that, Nagas pieces/fragments mongoloid racial physiology due to mythological cave is known by various instead privilege to have Nagas who are subjected to. Unlike dynastic intermingled to the same racial carrier names like Khuul, Khur, Khurpui, AND MINING EQUIPMENTS, strongly instituted socialist democratic princely kingdom, the Nagas village than the smaller immigrant Bengali Khurtu-bijur, Sinlung, Chinlung, etc. village state engaging internecine state differs. To conquer/invade the stock. Yet, Mongoloid-Aryans blended by various tribes like Thadou (Shaw JUST THINK OF US ferocious Head hunting that sealed any Nagas one has to wage war to each and race existence is an admitted fact. 1929:24-26), Lushai (Shakespear: foreign invasion. every village state in the hills. In Nagas “However, it is beyond doubt that they 1912), Lakher (Parry 1976:4), Tedim/ Most of the time, Meitrabak/traditional village republic state, other originally belonged to the Mongoloid Paite-Chin (Kamkhenthang 1967:1-2) Kangleibak was engaged in the game of village does not hold any domination. race. Another group of , and Moyon-Monsang, etc. There is throne. History would say that the Each sovereign village republic state who are the Brahmins believed to have another Chin-Kuki-Mizo group who defeated brother would flee to Carchar enjoys separate autonomy and come from Bengal with the coming of claimed to be a ‘lost tribe’ of Israel, a or Awa in most of their confrontations administration within their jurisdiction. Hindu Vaishnavism during the descendent of Bnei Menashe. Several to refuge in their kingdom. Gaining their In this society, the concept of seventeenth century. They are hundreds have immigrated back to favor, they would come back to submission does not subsist. The fall altogether a different people group, Israel during the late 1990’s. Due to Meitrapak either in assistance of the Awa of the father shall be vengeance by their probably belonging to the Aryan race” such different notion of ethnicity or Cachar or Ahom and in the later British responsible kins or community as a (Rimai, 2017). resulted to Hmar-Kuki conflict in East India Company. There were a whole. In such a circumstance, one may The Kuki I960 and in 1997-1998 there was an number of wars between the overpower anyone for some certain Sir James Johnstone (1896) said that instance of violent ethnic clash discontented royal brothers. events, but the vengeance search party the original home of the Kukis cannot between the Thadous and the Paites In 1758, the wouldBurmese lurk around until the heads of be correctly ascertained, but there seem owing to the policy of Kukiazation. King Alaungpaya invaded Meeteileipak. the games are brought home. Therefore, to be traces of them as far as south of Dr. H. Kamkhenthang therefore, Then, Meidingu Marjit (1813–1819) to venture endless warfare is undesired the Malay Peninsula. Once during contends that Kuki or Chin terms are who fled to Awa after defeating Chaurajit to the neighboring kingdom be it Ahom, Hudon was on expedition in the south used only in reference to the outside by the suzerain Awa King ruled Awa or the Kangleichas and even to the they happen to come across a travelling world, but not in use among and within Kangleipak for six years. The British. Therefore, noninterference in band and when asked where was their the group. The ethnos of belonging to catastrophe of Chahi Taret Khuntakpa the Nagas affairs has been the policy home, this was what T.C Hudon the Chin-Kuki group did not have a (the Seven Years Devastation (1819–26) ever since their first contact. So, instead (1911) quoted the words of Kuki chief, common name anymore after it was that nearly depopulated was the of provocation, they are left isolated. “we are like birds of the air, we make disowned by the ethnoses who were once outcome of annoyance or ungrateful Thus, semi or non-administrative zone our nests here this year, and who known as Kuki. Excepting Thadou, most attitude shown towards the Awa comes about during the rule of the knows where we shall build next year”. of the tribes now want to identify Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ (Burmese) King who enthrone Meidingu British East India Company. Since the It makes one understand beyond doubt themselves by their individual tribal names can be sent to our e-mail : [email protected]. to Meitreibak kingdom. The new king ancient time, Nagas have been known that the Kukis are migrant nomadic and not as Kukis. [Dr. H. Kamkhenthang, For advertisement kindy contact: - of Awa, Bagyidaw, invited Marjit to to be generous and kind to the tribe migrating from places to places “Groping for Identity”, pp. 1-16.]. 0385-2452159 (O) (to be contd....)

Edited by Rinku Khumukcham, Owned and Published by Iboyaima Khuman at Keishamthong Elangbam Leikai, Imphal and Printed by him at M/s Imphal Times Printers, Elangbam Leikai Imphal West, Contact No. 2452159, Resident Editor- Jeet Akoijam