Meitei people in Assam: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Short description|Meitei people in Assamnone}}

{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}

{{Infobox ethnic group

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| total = <!-- total population worldwide -->168,127

| total_year = <!-- year of total population -->2020

| total_source = <ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020113828/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>

| total_source = <!-- source of total population; may be ''census'' or ''estimate'' -->

| total_ref = <ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020113828/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>

| total_ref = <!-- references supporting total population -->

| total1 = <!-- up to | total3 = -->

| total1_year = <!-- up to | total3_year = -->

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The [[Meitei people]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯀꯥꯡꯂꯨꯞ}}|}}), also called [[Manipuri people]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ ꯀꯥꯡꯂꯨꯞ}}|}}), is one of the [[Demographics of Assam|minority ethnic groups in [[Assam]]. They are referred to as '''''Mekhlee''''', '''''Mekhelee''''', '''''Meckley''''', '''''Monipuri''''', '''''Monipuriya''''', '''''Magalu''''', '''''Mogolu''''', '''''Moglie''''', '''''Moglai''''', among many other names dedicated to them by the other [[people of Assam]].<ref>Historical and Cultural Relations Between Manipur, Assam, and Bengal. India: Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, 1986.</ref>

Meiteis call [[Assam]] as "Tekhao" or "Tekhau" or "Tekhaw" ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯇꯦꯈꯥꯎ}}|}}).<ref>Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. India: Mittal Publications, 1988. p. 20-22, 115</ref> In October 2020 their population was estimated 168,127 with its population, the Meitei tribe is a fairly large ethnic minority in Assam and Meitei culture can be found in everywhere places.<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020113828/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>

== History ==

{{See|Meitei people in Bangladesh#History|History of Assam|History of Manipur}}

In the 16th century, the kings of Tekhao ([[Meitei language]] term for Assam) and Manipur had friendly relations. This friendship grew stronger after a route to Assam opened in 1536-37, leading to more social and cultural exchanges, as well as people moving between the regions. Meitei people started settling in Assam after a [[Political marriage|royal marriage]] in 1537.<ref>Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. India: Mittal Publications, 1988. p. 20-22, 115</ref>

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== Language and scripts ==

{{Main|Meitei language in Assam|Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Assam|Department of Manipuri, Assam University|Meitei associate official language movement}}

[[Meitei language]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯩꯇꯩꯂꯣꯟ}}|}}), also known as [[Manipuri language]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ ꯂꯣꯟ}}|}}), is one of the [[official language]]s of the state government of [[Assam]]. It serves as the additional official language in all the three districts of the [[Barak Valley]] ([[Cachar district]], [[Hailakandi district]] and [[Karimganj district]]) as well as in the [[Hojai district]] of the [[Brahmaputra Valley]] of Assam.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-02-24|title=Assam recognises Manipuri as associate official language in four districts|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/assam-recognises-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts-101708770769105.html|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=PTI|date=2024-02-24|title=Assam Cabinet gives nod to recognise Manipuri as associate official language in four districts|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/assam-cabinet-gives-nod-to-recognise-manipuri-as-associate-official-language-in-four-districts/article67881260.ece|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Today|first=North East|date=2024-02-24|title=Manipuri Language Approved As Associate Official Language For Four Assam Districts|url=https://www.northeasttoday.in/2024/02/24/manipuri-language-approved-as-associate-official-language-for-four-assam-districts/|website=Northeast Today|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2024, the State Cabinet of the [[Government of [[Assam]] approved the [[Meitei script]] to be used in the education of [[Meitei language]] across all the academic institutions of Assam,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2024-03-12|title=Cabinet nod to Meitei script in educational institutions|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/cabinet-nod-to-meitei-script-in-educational-institutions/articleshow/108431069.cms|issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Service|first=Statesman News|date=2024-03-11|title=Assam govt's nod for inclusion of Meitei script in schools of state|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/assam-govts-nod-for-inclusion-of-meitei-script-in-schools-of-state-1503278318.html|website=The Statesman|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Tribune|first=The Assam|date=2024-03-11|title=Meitei script to be introduced in educational institutions of Assam|url=https://assamtribune.com/assam/meitei-script-to-be-introduced-in-educational-institutions-of-assam-1524916|website=assamtribune.com|language=en}}</ref> to help the students interested in the [[Meitei literature]] (also known as [[Manipuri literature]]) to know better about the subject.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-03-11|title=Assam government mulls to introduce Meitei script in educational institutions of the state|url=http://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assam-government-mulls-to-introduce-meitei-script-in-educational-institutions-of-the-state-928558-2024-03-11|website=India Today NE|language=hi}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Desk |first=Sentinel Digital|date=2024-03-11 |title=Assam: Government Considers Introducing Meitei Script in Educational Institutions |url=https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/assam-government-considers-introducing-metei-script-in-educational-institutions |website=Sentinel Assam |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=NEWS|first=NE NOW|date=2024-03-11|title=Assam government approves introducing Meitei script in educational institutes|url=http://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/assam-mulls-introducing-meitei-script-educational-institutes.html|website=NORTHEAST NOW|language=en-US}}</ref>

A unique form of writing system called "[[Naoriya Phulo script|Meetei Yelhou Mayek]]" ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯌꯦꯜꯍꯧ ꯃꯌꯦꯛ}}|}}), better known as [[Naoriya Phulo script]], totally different from the general [[Meitei script]], was developed by [[Laininghan Naoriya Phulo|Naoriya Phulo]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯅꯥꯎꯔꯤꯌꯥ ꯐꯨꯂꯣ}}|}}) in [[Cachar]], [[Assam]], to write [[Meitei language]] in particular cases.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Meetei Yelhou Mayek / Naoriya Phulo script|url=https://www.omniglot.com/writing/meeteiyelhoumayek.htm|website=www.omniglot.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2024-01-19|title=Atlas of Endangered Alphabets: Indigenous and minority writing systems, and the people who are trying to save them.|url=https://www.endangeredalphabets.net/meetei-yelhou-mayek/|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Culture ==

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=== Literature ===

{{Main|Meitei language in Assam#Literature|Manipur Sahitya Parishad, Assam|Department of Manipuri, Assam University}}

=== Religion {{anchor|Religions}} ===

{{Main|Traditional Meitei religion|Apokpa Marup|Laininghal Naoriya Phulo}}

[[File:Panthoibi at Hojai, Assam 02.jpg|thumb|[[Panthoibi Iratpa]] festival dedicated to goddess [[Panthoibi]] celebrated in Hojai, Assam]]

[[Lai Haraoba]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯥꯏ ꯍꯔꯥꯎꯕ}}|}}) dedicated to the [[Umang Lai]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯎꯃꯪ ꯂꯥꯏ}}|}}) deities is common among the Assam Meiteis. Goddess [[Panthoibi]] ({{lang-mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ}}|}}) is also commonly worshipped by them.<ref>{{Cite web|title=AMUCO interacts with Meiteis and Meitei Pangals in Assam|url=https://www.ifp.co.in/manipur/amuco-interacts-with-meiteis-and-meitei-pangals-in-assam|access-date=2024-09-27|website=Imphal Free Press|language=en}}</ref>

A modern Meitei social and religious institution named [[Apokpa Marup]] was founded by [[Laininghal Naoriya Phulo]] in [[Cachar]].<ref>Singh, N. Joykumar (2005). Revolutionary Movements in Manipur. Akansha Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-87606-92-5.</ref><ref>Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1998). Recent Researches in Oriental Indological Studies: Including Meiteilogy. Parimal Publications.</ref><ref>Raha, Manis Kumar (1995). The People of the Himalayas: Bio-cultural and Ecological Aspects. Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Culture, Government of India. ISBN 978-81-85579-30-6.</ref><ref>Dena, Lal (1991). History of Modern Manipur, 1826-1949. Orbit Publishers-Distributors.</ref><ref>Danda, Ajit K. (1999). Ethnicity, Nationalism, and Integration. Asiatic Society.</ref>

== Groups ==