A Dialogue between Naga and Meitei
- Part 1 -
Z. K. Pahrii Pou *
At the outset, the views expressed here were that of the author and did not represent the view of any particular community, organisation or institution. It is written to forge peace among the various communities in the region by pursuing common goal. Love and trust must be rebuilt not with narrow interpretation of history but with broad-based accommodative spirit of each others interest.
Meiteis and Nagas have been living together for many years in the same region. In due course of time many similarities have developed between them. Apart from exchange of trade, Meiteilon (Manipuri) played a crucial role in cementing the tie between them. Their relationship was even more cemented by the hospitality shown by Nagas during the Meiteis seven years devastation (1819-1826).
After the colonial British subdued Manipur, the hill tribes and the valley dwellers were kept under one administrative region but dual administration was maintained. Under India Union, Manipur attained its statehood in 1972. However, confusion arises whether Nagas and Meiteis have same or different origin. This confusion arises because some scholars and elites, who in the past, considered the Nagas as not part of the Meitei family now vigorously propagate that they are of the same family and that they must stay together for good or for worst.
So here goes the dialogue between Naga and Meitei:
Naga: Tell me your origin
Meitei: My history goes back to as early as 33 CE (Christian era). It was recorded in the state Royal Chronicle called Cheitharon Kumpapa. The first king according to the Chronicle is Nongba Lairen Pakhangba who reigned for 120 years.
Meitei: What about your story of origin?
Naga: I heard that my history was written down on a piece of animal skin which was eaten up by dog. So I do not have written record of my past. It was only through oral tradition that I relate myself to my past. For many people of my groups, Makhel, a Mao village (around 3 km away from NH Tadubi) is considered to be my place of origin. From this village Naga race dispersed to different places. Beyond that it is difficult to say anything.
Naga: Do you think that you have been settling in Imphal since 33 CE?
Meitei: I met O. Tomba and he told me that Meiteis did not settle in Imphal area before the fourteenth century. He has geological evidence to proof that the entire Imphal valley was under water till about 500 years ago. Over the years, due to siltation, this large wetland shrank to the present Loktak Lake. Probably my history already started somewhere in China before we migrated to this place.
Meitei: Do you think that Naga really originated from Makhel village?
Naga: According to my oral tradition, it is so. But I also suspect that we were also migrated somewhere from China. T.C. Hodson opined that many tribes had settled down in the hills at an early date when the Meiteis (now more developed and advanced) were untouched by the finer arts of life. I also heard that many people who are now settling in the hill areas have passed through Imphal areas but found it inhabitable due to the excessive bite by swarm of mosquitoes. May be by the time you reached here, mosquito population might have decreased as water recedes to Loktak Lake.
Naga: Is your race known as Meitei from the very beginning?
Meitei: To be frank it is not. K. Gyanendra Singh told me that Manipur Valley was inhabited by several tribes. There were records of infighting among those various tribes till Meitei group became victorious and developed its supremacy over other groups. In those days, there were seven principal groups known as the Ningthouja or Meitei, the Angom, the Khumal, the Moirang, the Luwang, the Sarang-Leishangthem and the Khaba-Nganba.
According to tradition, at one point of time, the Khuman and the Moirang became prominent. However, in due course of time, the Ningthoujas or Meiteis became powerful and subdued all the other tribes and kept under their rule. So I along with all other tribes living in the valley came to be called as Meitei. There was a time when the Burmese called us Kathe/Katha, the Shans as Kassey, the Ahoms as Meklee and the Cacharies as Mooglie. The generic name Meitei was of late development.
Meitei: How did you get the name Naga?
Naga: The origin of the name Naga is shrouded in mystery. Those who called themselves as Nagas at present did not introduce themselves to others as Nagas in the past. They were known to outsiders by their village or tribes name. The name Naga became popular only after the coming of the British. The formation of Naga Club in 1918 is a watershed in the political history of the Nagas. There may be many reasons but I am always intrigue by the thoughts of why and how so many tribes and ethnic groups came together to form a Naga nation.
While your kingdom that has glorious past history started to disintegrate after the arrival of the British and merger with Indian Union, the Naga nation took its step from the arrival of the British and is on its way to its full formation under Indian Union. Today, it appears that your (Meitei) kingdom with its long history is beginning to wane in modern world whereas my (Naga) nation with scanty history of the past is vigorously on the making.
Naga: What was your kingdom called in the past? How the word Manipur evolved?
Meitei: It was known by different names such as Kangleipak, Poreipak, Meitrapak and Meckley. The name Manipur evolved during the process of sanskritisation of Meitei population during the 17th & 18th century. It was at this time, under the patronage of King Garibnawaz, Meiteis were converted to Vaishnavism in large number by guru Shanta Das. Till at that time, Meiteis have their own traditional religion with sanamahi and leimaren as the most common one among others. However, during sanskritisation period, to connect Meiteis with Hindu heritage, the Meiteis religious books (puya) were burnt. Bengali script was introduced. Meitei lifestyles that include food, dress, festivals, surnames and religion were changed. Myths were invented to show that the ancestors of Meiteis were from Hindus. Manipureshwar was adopted by king as his name to connect to Hindu heritage. It was probable from that time onward the name Manipur replaced Kangleipak.
Meitei: What about your Kingdom?
Naga: Unlike yours, I do not have a kingdom in the past. We never lived together as one nation under one ruler or under a single administration. Each village was a republic state. We were free people. Whoever called themselves as Nagas today are people of varied lifestyles, cultures, and customs and spread across the vast tracts of land from India to Myanmar. The name Nagalim referring to the whole inhabited area of the Nagas is of recent development.
For suggestion or discussion: zkpahr(aT)gmail(DOT)com
To be continued ...
* Z. K. Pahrii Pou wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at zkpahr(aT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was posted on March 01, 2016.
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