Incredible Meitei & its Cultural Heritage

We, the Meitei society, have shared with the Nagas and Kukis, the other two dominant

communities settled mainly in the hills. The Seven clans of the Meiteis ruled in different principalities,

mainly in the valley. The Meitei feudal kingdom started in 33 AD when King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba of

the Ningthouja Dynasty united all the Seven Clans and ascended the Throne at the Kangla. The language

used is called Meitei-lon. It belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of languages. Literally it means the

"language of the Meitei". But for some time now, it has been known as Manipuri. Since 1992, the

language is in the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Pic: View of My Native Place from a Hill top

When you just land on Manipur, You will see the Kangla at first and is in progress to promote to World Heritage Site. You will not want to miss a glimpse of Sangai (Cervus Eldi Eldi) found only at Keibul Lamjao National Park in Loktak Lake (The Only Floating National Park in The World). I hope you will dare to climb up Siroy Hills to see Shiroy Lily (Lilium mackliniae), one of the rarest lily in the world found only in Shiroy hill.

Pic : Sangai (Brow-antlered deer) & Shiroy Lily

There are many tourist places where you can enjoy your holidays but I shall no longer talk about those places, instead let me share with some of our cultures, festivals, food habits which, I think, would be very interesting to you.

There are certain ritual ceremonies like Umang Lai Haraoba. Lai Haraoba means "Merry Making of the Gods". Lai Haraoba is a public festival in Manipur celebrated to please traditional deities. The festival is in part a recollection of the creation stories played the deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of the plants and animals through the Will of Atiya Shidaba Mapu. These are played by Maibi (priestess) and Maiba (Priest).

Pic : Maibi Jagoi , on the right Lainingthou Ikop Ningthou Temple at my Village “Khangabok”

There is one Festival called "Ningol Chakouba" Celebrated on second day of the New Moon in the Meitei Calendar month of Hiyangei (November). On this day, all the Meitei Married Women come to their parental Homes with sweets for their Brothers, at the home, their Brothers and Parents would arrange a feast for their sisters with a Gift. This, in fact, renews the Bond of Love of Brothers and Sisters and revive familial affection.

Pic : A rare Moment for a Married Woman at Her Parental Home

When we talk about of Yaoshang (or Holi) Festival, there is an interesting dance form, performed during the Night time under full of lights in public ground during 5 days of Yaoshang only. This is so called as Thabal Chongba, ("Dancing in Moonlight"). This is performed on the beat of the music by Boys and Girls holding their hands each other. If you come to our native place during this time, You will not want to miss this Dance.

Pic: The euphoria which was supposed to be filled with colour of Yaoshang (or Holi) Festival has now been replaced by sporting spirits everywhere in the state which, in fact, is the great motivator to produce great sportspersons at international arena.

During the reign of King Bhagyachandra Singh (1759-1798), the famous Manipuri Dance or Ras Lila was introduced.

Pic: Meitei Jagoi

From the religious point of view and from the artistic angle of vision, Manipuri Classical Form of dance is claimed to be one of the most chestiest, modest, softest and mildest but the most meaningful dances of the world. Manipuri dancers do not wear ankle bells to accentuate the beats tapped out by the feet, in contrast with other Indian dance forms, and the dancers' feet never strike the ground hard. Movements of the body and feet and facial expressions in Manipuri dance are subtle and aim at devotion and grace. This is the uniqueness of Manipuri Dance.

Meeties, men and women, use Khamen Chatpa Phi (a printed cloths with seven different colours), a traditionally very important cloth during the ritual ceremonies. This cloths are in form of Shirts - (kurta) and cloths- (kumis). There are seven different colours of Khamenchatpa with a single colours in each Cloths based on the Colour Code of Seven Clan of the Meetei. These types of cloths are rare and keep with great care. Meiteis have strict Dress Codes to be worn for Different Occasions.

Pic: A Meitei Girl in traditional dress during Lai Lamthokpa, a ritual ceremony performed during Lai Haraoba (left), on the other side “A modeler in Traditional Dress”

Generally, Meitei Girls are Beautiful. It’s believe that they are descendants of Moirangi Thoibi (Thoibi of Moirang) who is a Goddess, Panthoibi incarnated as Thoibi, the most beautiful lady in the World.

You will be surprised to see that 108 different dishes are served everyday at Shri Shri Govindaji Temple. Manipur Cuisines have good taste and Hygienic. We prefer to less spicy dishes.

Pic: 108 differents dishes are served everyday to Lord Shri Krishna during Prayer

In Manipur, generally Public feasts are cooked and prepared by Meitei Bamons (Brahmins).

Pic : Cheiraoba, the Meitei's New Year Day--We arranged this when I was at the Hostel in Higher sec.School to be dedicated to God (it’s a customary to do so on this day by all the families of Meitei).

We,the Meiteis, celebrate New Year Day in our own Calendar, 1st day of Sajibu, generally it falls at beginning of April.

Pic : Some dishes prepared by Brothers for their Sisters for Ningol Chakouba(left)

When I mention Food of Meitei, I can't ignore "Yongchak".Only those who have tasted the dishes made out of it will only know its Quality.

Most of the people prefer to Vegetarian (non spicy). In Non-Vegetarian, Only Fish is accepted by Meiteis (valley people). There are many types and ways of serving the people according to the situation.

You may, sometimes, think that women are soft, weak and dependent on male partners. But you may be wrong when it comes to Meitei Society. Men respect all the women and vice versa. Sometimes, you may feel that there is nothing a Meitei women can't do, could be in any field.

Pic : Meira Paibee (torch bearer)-- Ema Meira Paibees against Drug Abuses. They are, in fact, true torch bearers who handle the direction of Meitei Society in right direction.

Ema Keithel (Market of Mothers) in Imphal is the only Market in the world run only by women.

Sumang Lila is one of the most Entertaining Live Performances by a Group of only Male artists of which some of them will act as women and I can bet they are the most beautiful you have ever seen. This art form exists only in Manipur played by Meiteis and it is performed at the middle of park and audience can see the show from any direction. When it comes to theatre world, Legendary Ratan Thiyam can be worth mentioned.

The Meiteis introduced Two Martial Arts in Human Society i.e. “Sarit Sarak” and “Thang Ta”. The Self Defense art “Sarik Sarak” is a martial art which was essential arts to be learnt by all Meiteis to defend themselves from their foe's attack.

Pic : “It's in their Blood.”

Meiteis are , in short, described as Soft and Gentle at Dancing but Brave and Fierce at Battles.

The Holy 'Puya' traces Sagol Kangjei to the mythological age when the game was played by Gods of Meiteis. The British learned the game of Sagol Kangjei in the 19th century from Manipur, after refinement, it was transplanted to the countries as Polo.

Pic: Manipur Sagol Kangjei (left) & Polo adopted from Meitei Community's Sagol kangjei.

Now, I hope You Understand How Incredible Our Native Place is .. ..!

It’s worth mentioning here that Though We have Rich Cultural Heritages, Natural Flora and Fauna, Foreign Tourists couldn’t come freely to our Native place, even though they wanted to come and explore the Natural Beauty of Our Land, due to Protected Area Permit(PAP), but seeing immense potential of being a big Tourist Destination, PAP has been removed recently. Manipur being the Gateway to Eastern Asia, it could be a World Class Trading Hub but unfortunately due to continue negligence of Central Government, it’s not happened yet.

SANJITKUMAR KHUNDRAKPAM Electrical Engineering, 5th Semester