|
There is not much of historical evidence available
on the origin of the people of Manipur. There are different schools
of thought regarding the origin. Some people considered Manipuris as the
descendants of Tartar Colony from China. Others considered that the Manipuris
were descendants of the surrounding hill tribes i.e. the big race of Nagas which
was once in existence in many parts of the world. The Manipuris are
related to the present Naga race of the hills also in respect of many customs
still in existence in both groups. Some believe that Manipuris are a fine
stalwart race descended from an Indo-Chinese stock, with some admixture of Aryan
blood. Some scholars consider that the Manipuris are Kshatriyas as
mentioned in the Epic, 'Mahabharatha'. Another school of thought consider Manipuris the
descendants of Kiratas. The distribution of Kiratas in north-eastern region is
one of the evidences to support this school of thought. Another school of
thought considers Manipuris to be descended from the stock of Dravidians who
migrated from south India to Manipur and Naga hills through Burma.
The population of Manipur comprises different social
groups. They are Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and Miscellaneous groups. The
entire population of Manipur is distributed into two regions: the hill
population and the valley population. The valley people are supposed to be the
descendants of four old tribes called Khuman, Luang, Moirang and Maithai. The
hill people are broadly divided into Naga and Kuki tribes. The people of
Manipur, both in the valley and the hills are having predominantly Mongoloid
features. But it is not difficult
to distinguish the valley and the hill people. The people from the valley
show a developed sharpness in their features over their hill
counter-parts. The valley population had numerous occasions to come in contact
with the invaders and migrants through the valley. This contact over the ages
regenerated a race of some peculiar characteristics, in physical features
reflecting the basic Mongoloid characters with definite modifications, to
a certain degree.
The concept of unity in diversity
was a remarkable characteristic of this state. In the history of Manipur there has not been even a single
instance of communal or ethnic dispute. But in recent times, Manipur has been
the scene of bitter ethnic conflict. The ethnic animosity between the
Kukis and the Nagas stems from xenophobic insecurity. Over 1,000 have been
killed, more injured, houses burnt down and thousands rendered homeless, in the
conflicts in the past six years.
The people of Manipur are
simple and largely
untouched by the pollution of modern living. Their wants are few, they love
outdoor life, find communion with nature and depend on the gifts of nature like
rice for food, fish to supplement their dish. The general facial characteristic
of the Manipuris are of the Mongolian type. There is a great diversity of the features among them.
The people are very good
looking and fair. It is not uncommon to meet girls with
brownish black hair, brown eyes, fair complexions, straight noses and rosy cheeks.
The
Manipuris are decidedly a muscular race. Fat people are rare. They have good chests and well formed limbs.
The Meitei language,
which is the official state language is
basically the language of the valley people and other dialects spoken by the tribes
in the hills are classified under Tibeto-Burman family. Meitei language
have been borrowed by the Naga and Kuki people of the hills.
The majority population of the entire state is under the
religious fold of Hinduism especially in the valley. There is
no trace of Buddhism having been established here in any period of history.
Islam entered through the Muslim migrants from East Bengal, but Muslim
population in the valley is very little. Christianity, introduced by the British as a policy was not embraced by Meiteis
in the valley but attracted almost entire hill tribes.
|
