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.

Meitei confederacy, also known as Meitei confederation,[1][2] refers to a union of seven groups or clans (Meitei: Yek Salai 7) of the Meitei ethnicity.[3][4] The seven components of the Meitei confederacy are Ningthouja (also known as Mangang), Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Moirang (Moilang), Khaba-Nganba (Kha-Nganba) and Chenglei (also known as Sarang/Salang/Salai Leisangthem).[5][6][7][8]

Prior to unification and formation of the "Meitei confederacy," these groups were independent kingdoms ruled by their own kings. The Mangang, also called the Ningthouja group, defeated the other groups and the Ningthouja king became the supreme ruler. Initially, the name "Meitei" referred only to the Ningthouja group, but by the 15th century, it came to refer to all the groups. Over time, the seven groups united to form one nation but remained separate entities. Today, these 7 groups still play an important role in the social structure of Meitei civilisation, especially in determining marriage patterns. The Meiteis do not marry within the same group or yek salai.[9][10][11][12]

Historical territories

States Romanisation Associated Meitei clans Romanisation Note(s)
ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Imphal Kangla ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) Ningthouja (Mangang) [13]
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡꯁꯪꯕꯝ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Luwangsangbam Kangla ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ Luwang
ꯃꯌꯥꯡ ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ Mayang Imphal ꯈꯨꯃꯟ Khuman
ꯀꯣꯡꯕ Kongba ꯑꯉꯣꯝ Angom
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Moirang Kangla ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ) Moirang (Moilang)
ꯋꯥꯡꯆꯤꯡ ꯁꯪꯒꯥꯏ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Wangching Sanggai Kangla ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ Kha Nganpa
ꯋꯥꯡꯒꯣꯏ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ Wangoi Kangla ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ) Chenglei / Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)

Number of families

Main article: Yumnak
Meitei sub-groups 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]
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) Ningthouja (Mangang) 256 234 115 254[18] 125
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ Luwang 105 93 56 106[19] 58
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ Khuman 176 199 103 204[20] 67
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ Angom 96 109 50 103[21] 62
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ (ꯃꯣꯏꯂꯥꯡ) Moirang (Moilang) 100 110 66 99[22] 67
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ Kha Nganpa 42 37 17 43[23] 21
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ) Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem) 62 45 41 65[24] 35

Traditional ancestors

Generic term(s)[25] According to Neelbir Sairem[26] According to Lairenlakpam Bino Devi[27] & N. Tarunkumar Singh[13] Associated Meitei clans Romanisation Note(s)
Traditional ancestors Romanisation Traditional ancestors Romanisation Traditional ancestors Romanisation
ꯃꯉꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯃꯉꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ Mangang Pokpa/Mangang Apokpa ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ Pakhangba ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ Pakhangba ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) Ningthouja (Mangang)
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ Luwang Pokpa/Luwang Apokpa ꯄꯣꯏꯔꯩꯇꯣꯟ Poireiton ꯄꯣꯏꯔꯩꯇꯣꯟ Poireiton ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ Luwang
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ Khuman Pokpa/Khuman Apokpa ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯟ (ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯔꯦꯟ) Thongalen (Thongaren) ꯈꯨꯃꯟ Khuman
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯑꯉꯣꯝ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ Angom Pokpa/Angom Apokpa ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ Pureiromba ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ Pureiromba ꯑꯉꯣꯝ Angom
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ Moirang Pokpa/Moirang Apokpa ꯉꯥꯡꯍꯨꯟꯊꯣꯛ & ꯉꯥꯡꯅꯤꯡꯁꯤꯡ Nganghunthok & Ngangningsing ꯉꯥꯡꯅꯤꯡꯁꯤꯡ Ngangningsing ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ) Moirang (Moilang)
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ Kha Nganpa Pokpa/Kha Nganpa Apokpa ꯈꯝꯆꯤꯡꯀꯣꯟ Khamchingkon — Khamdingou ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ Kha Nganpa
ꯆꯦꯡꯂꯩ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯆꯦꯡꯂꯩ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ Chenglei Pokpa/Chenglei Apokpa ꯅꯨꯡꯉꯧ ꯌꯨꯝꯊꯪꯕ Nung-ngou Yumthangba ꯅꯨꯡꯉꯧ ꯌꯨꯝꯊꯪꯕ Nungngou Yumthangba ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ) Chenglei / Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)

Swords

Further information: Meitei traditional weapons
Illustrations of the swords Names of the swords Romanisation Associated Meitei clans Romanisation Maximum breadth (cm)[28] Maximum length (cm)[28] Note(s)
ꯆꯛꯊꯥꯡ Chak Thaang[18] ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) Ningthouja (Mangang) 6.2 59.6 [29][30]
ꯇꯣꯟꯗꯨꯝꯕ Tondumba[19] ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ Luwang 5.7 58.7
ꯇꯣꯟꯀꯛꯄ Tonkakpa[20] ꯈꯨꯃꯟ Khuman 6.6 57.2
ꯄꯨꯀꯛ ꯊꯥꯡ Pukak Thaang[21] ꯑꯉꯣꯝ Angom 6.3 50.1
ꯌꯦꯟꯕꯥ ꯃꯇꯣꯛ ꯁꯥꯕ Yenbaa Matok Saaba/Matok Paanba[22] ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ) Moirang (Moilang) 7.2 54.2
ꯂꯥꯏꯊꯥꯡ ꯆꯤꯅꯥꯏꯕ Laithaang Chinaaiba[23] ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ Kha Nganpa 5.9 58.6
ꯈꯨꯟꯊꯣꯡ ꯊꯥꯡ Khunthong Thaang/Khunthok Laaithaang[24] ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ) Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem) 5.9 59.1

Classical elements

Sacred water Sacred fire Associated Meitei clans Romanisation Note(s)
Water of Nungseng (Nungjeng) 7 flames of Meiyei Meithang ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) Ningthouja (Mangang) [18] [31][32]
Water of Lamphel Flame of Khoiju ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ Luwang [19]
Water of Pumlen Flame of Meithang ꯈꯨꯃꯟ Khuman [20]
Water of Kongba Meironbi Flame of Meiba Chingba Mei ꯑꯉꯣꯝ Angom [21]
Water of Loktak 3 flames of Meithang ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ) Moirang (Moilang) [22]
Water of Leitang/Takna Kha Puruk shoubi Flame of Leikham Waimei ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ Kha Nganpa [23]
Water of Takna/Takyel 5 flames of Leikham Waimeithang ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ) Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem) [24]

Totems

Further information: List of creatures in Meitei culture, Plants in Meitei civilisation, and Animals in Meitei civilization
Sacred mythical creatures Sacred plants Sacred fishes Sacred leaves Sacred fruits Sacred flowers Sacred woods/timbers Associated Meitei clans Romanisation Note(s)
Urum Saareng Angaangba/Ngaahei Thamlaa/Changbilaa Thamchet/Heijang/Heibi Thambaal Angaangba Sayi/Uyung ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) Ningthouja (Mangang) [18] [33][34]
Khok U Saareng Luwaoba/Ngaamu Laayaai Kihom/Heiba Mellei Heiku/Upal ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ Luwang [19]
Pungphai Saareng Mureinaba/Ngaatin Changbilaa/Kwaaklaa/Khaanglaa Heibung/Heiku/Heibong Leisang/Kwaaklei/Leikhaam Chaokhong/Sayi/Waa ꯈꯨꯃꯟ Khuman [20]
Tairel Saareng Angouba/Ngaraa Laarong/Leihoulaa Heibong/Heiba Tharo/Thambaal (Angouba) Upal/Sayi ꯑꯉꯣꯝ Angom [21]
Nauhing Saareng Naapu Khaanglaa Heiyit Yerum Lei/Laangthrei Kuhi/Khanglaa/Tou ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ) Moirang (Moilang) [22]
Napu Nasen Saareng Ngaangna Laangba Leihoulaa/Laaronglaa Heiba/Heibung Haorei/Yerumlei/Mellei/Leisang Ching Yensin ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ Kha Nganpa [23]
Naapi Singbi Saareng Sangbaannana Laangba/Ngaaren Changbilaa/Thamlaa Heijang/Heibung/Heitup Leisang/Leikham/Sangbrei Nongleisang ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ) Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem) [24]

Sacred colors

Sacred colours[a] Associated Meitei clans Romanisation Note(s)
Red[18] ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ) Ningthouja (Mangang) [35][36]
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. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  26. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  27. ^ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. pp. 49, 50. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  28. ^ a b "Singh N. A. , Bezbaruah D., Gourachandra M. / Antrocom Online Journal of Anthropology, vol. 18, n. 2a (2022) 349-356" (PDF).
  29. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  30. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  31. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  32. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  33. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  34. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
  35. ^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
  36. ^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.

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