The Tangkhuls are one of the Naga ethnic groups which belong to the great Mongolian race. Ukhrul and Kamjong districts in Manipur are the home of the Tangkhuls. They are also found in other states of North-East India and in the Somra tract of the western part of Myanmar. Linguistically, they belong to a large language family called Sino-Tibetan, within which to the sub-family of Tibeto-Burman. It is commonly assumed that, historically, the Tangkhul Naga community migrated from Mongolia and China. From there they migrated to different parts of the world due to socio-politico-economic hardship of life. According to A. Amaladoss and C. Francis in their article “The Journeys of Northeast Tangkhul Migrants and their Experiences in Urban India”, there were two different routes for the migration of Naga tribes from China. The first route was through the Irrawaddy and Chindwin valleys in Myanmar and the second route was along the Mekong River leading to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam (2020). However, there is no concrete evidence and consensus among the scholars in regard to the specific place of origin. The Tangkhuls point out to the association of their forefathers with the seashore probably because they settled near the Irrawaddy, Chindwin, and Mekong rivers for some time as mentioned above. This is supported by the usages of the ornaments such as Kongsang, Huishon, Mayongcha, etc. were made of seashells, beads, cowrie, and conch shells.
Later on, the Tangkhuls dispersed from Samshok (Thuangdut) of upper Burma to different parts of North-East India and in the course of time every Tangkhul village lived as a small republic. Every village was governed by an unwritten constitution made up of age-old conventions and traditions. Economically, the Tangkhul villages were largely self-sufficient, and politically they were self-governing units ruled by hereditary or elected chief assisted by a Council of Elders. However, due to this self-governing nature of polity and the practice of head-hunting culture, there was no organized confederation, and therefore were subjugated by the then more organised army of the Meitei king one village after the other. It is also thought that the Tangkhuls arrived in present-day Manipur with the Marams, Maos, Poumais, and Thangals and that Poireiton, one of the early kings of a principality in present-day Manipur valley, was the first to notice them.
The term ‘tangkhul’ is said to be derived from two Meitei words, tada (Brother) and khun (village). This theory suggests that the Tangkhuls and Meiteis had a bond of close association for quite a long time and therefore referred to the Tangkhul villages in a brotherly manner as tada khun (brother’s village). The origin of the term ‘tangkhul’ is still subject to continuous research and examination. Some state that “the Tangkhuls came from Hao city which today is called Xian in China. Hence, they had been called hao. But others said that Meifu-Li, who was the progenitor of the Nagas, belonged to the Hao tribe of China, and so this tribal name was carried by the Tangkhuls. These theories may be accepted as the most appropriate one with some reservation” (Somingam, 2014).
Tangkhuls have hundreds of dialects spoken in different villages. They are lovers of music and dance. Some of the musical instruments are Sipa (Flute), Tingteila (violin), Tala (Trumpet), Phung (Drum), Mazo (Woman’s mouth-piece), etc. There are some special occasional dances, namely, Laa khanganui (virgin dance) which is performed during Luira festival/Lui-ngai-ni, Rai Pheichak (War Dance), etc. People used to gather in a Longshim, a unique social institution of community life and a centre of learning tribal ways of life and culture for the unmarried youths where they do merry-making and share traditional stories of their forefathers. The major festivals of the Tangkhuls which are still celebrating include Luira Phanit (seed sowing festival), Yarra (Youth festival), Mangkhap Phanit (observed after the completion of rice transplantation), etc.
There are many unique places, artifacts, and antiques found in the Ukhrul district such as the unique black pottery locally known as Longpi Hampai, the clay with which it is made is found only in Nungbi Khullen village; Shirui Lily popularly known as Queen of Lilies is found only in Shirui Kashong Peak which won the coveted ‘Award of Merit’ in England in 1950; Khangkhui Limestone Cave locally known as Khangkhui Mangsor, situated about 40 kms away from Ukhrul headquarters, is a huge stone cave said to be of Mesozoic era origin.
The main sources of income of the people are agricultural activities, small-scale industries, forest and river resources, and a very primitive animal husbandry method. Some of the tools used by men include Kazei (Spears), Raikhai (Swords), Malah (Arrow), Kuisikhai (Knife), Ngalasop (basket) and its ornaments consist of Mayong pasi (headgear for men), Kuilop (warrior cap made from animal fur and cane), Narun (cylindrical wooden ear wear), etc. Men’s upper garments consist of Haora, Luirim kachon, Chonkhom, Raivat Kachon, etc. and its lower garments consist of Marao and Raokha.
Women’s ornaments consist of Huison (brass ring chain that hangs from the head till the leg), Har (circular aluminium armlet), Kazao (bangle), Kongsang (beads necklace), Nahui (earpiece made of circular crystal), Zeithing (iron sceptre used as a part of bridal ornament), Mayongcha (necklace), Khom mashin (waist wear made of cowries and black beads), etc. and its lower garments consist of Seichang Kashan, Phangyai Kashan, Thangkhang kachon, Kongra Kashan, Zingtai-Manshingla Kashan, etc.
The Tangkhuls were not familiar with the idea of maintaining written records, but their real history are known to us in the form of oral traditions, folk songs, oral conversations, dances, wood carvings, crafts and handmade textiles, ritual practices, and culture of the elderly people. It is commonly known that the Tangkhuls were the first community in Manipur to become Christian. Christianity was first brought to the Tangkhuls by Rev. William Pettigrew of Scotland in 1895. Since then the influence of the Christian missionaries had an enormous impact in transforming the lives of the Tangkhul tribe, especially through the introduction of the education system. The Census Report of 2011 shows that the literacy rate of Ukhrul district (81.35 %) is comparatively higher than that of the state of Manipur which stands at 76.94 % (Census India).
Recently there has been a trend of Tangkhuls migrating from the rural areas to the urban places of India due to various reasons such as poverty, lack of employment, low income, rural indebtedness, small land holdings, unproductive agricultural activities, irregular electricity, lack of educational opportunities and health facilities. Besides they also look towards the urban cities for the prospect of better livelihood, better employment opportunities, infrastructure, communication with the latest technology, educational facilities, good health care systems, and higher salaries and wages.
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References
1. Mawon Somingam, “Understanding the Origin of the terms ‘WUNG’, ‘HAO’ and ‘TANGKHUL’,” International Research Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 3 (5), pp. 36-40 (2014).
2. A. Amaladoss and C. Francis, “The Journeys of Northeast Tangkhul Migrants and their Experiences in Urban India,” Journal of Sociology and Social Anthropology Vol. 11 (1-2), pp. 166-175 (2020).
3. Census India, “Ukhrul District Population, Caste, Religion Data (Manipur) – Census 2011,” Census India, https://www.censusindia.co.in/district/ukhrul-district-manipur-279
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Contributed to the International Council of Naga Affairs (ICNA) by Rinmaya Kumrah, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Tetso College, Dimapur, Nagaland. The write-up was commissioned by Commissioning Editor Salikyu Sangtam, PhD. ICNA reserves all rights.
Featured Image: Tangkhul Nagas in their traditional best. (Photo by Sanjiv Valsan/Outlook India)
Content Image: Luira Phanit, Nungbi Khullen / Photo: Shangreiso Kamkara I; Shirui Lily / Photo: Outlook India; Black Pottery / Photo: Vareiya Tangvah; Women’s Traditional / Ornaments Attires / Photo: Tangkhul Yarsho Lashiyo Gallery – FB. The picture has been reworked/merged by the International Council of Naga Affairs (ICNA).
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