Alliance of seven Meitei groups
Classical Meitei language names of the 7 groups of Meitei race of Kangleipak in their respective 7 sacred colors
Meitei confederacy , also known as Meitei confederation ,[ 1] [ 2] refers to a union of seven groups or clans (Meitei : Yek Salai 7 ) of the Meitei ethnicity .[ 3] [ 4]
The 7 components of Meitei confederacy are Ningthouja (also known as Mangang ), Luwang , Khuman , Angom , Moirang (Moilang ), Khaba-Nganba (Kha-Nganba ) and Chenglei (also known as Sarang/Salang/Salai Leisangthem).[ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8]
Prior to unification and formation of the "Meitei confederacy," these groups were independent kingdoms ruled by their own kings. The Mangang, also called the Ningthouja group, defeated the other groups and the Ningthouja king became the supreme ruler. Initially, the name "Meitei" referred only to the Ningthouja group, but by the 15th century, it came to refer to all the groups. Over time, the seven groups united to form one nation but remained separate entities. Today, these 7 groups still play an important role in the social structure of Meitei society, especially in determining marriage patterns. The Meiteis do not marry within the same group or yek salai.[ 9] [ 10] [ 11] [ 12]
Historical territories
States
Romanisation
Associated Meitei clans
Romanisation
Note(s)
ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ
Imphal Kangla
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)
Ningthouja (Mangang)
[ 13]
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡꯁꯪꯕꯝ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ
Luwangsangbam Kangla
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ
Luwang
ꯃꯌꯥꯡ ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ
Mayang Imphal
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ
Khuman
ꯀꯣꯡꯕ
Kongba
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ
Angom
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ
Moirang Kangla
ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)
Moirang (Moilang)
ꯋꯥꯡꯆꯤꯡ ꯁꯪꯒꯥꯏ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ
Wangching Sanggai Kangla
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ
Kha Nganpa
ꯋꯥꯡꯒꯣꯏ ꯀꯪꯂꯥ
Wangoi Kangla
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)
Chenglei / Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)
Number of families
Meitei sub-groups
Romanisation
Number of families/surnames (according to N. Monihar[ 14] )
Number of families/surnames (according to Khomdon Lisam[ 15] )
Number of families/surnames (according to T.C. Hodson[ 16] )
Number of families/surnames (according to Manipur Mirror)
Number of families/surnames (according to MASTEC)[ 17]
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)
Ningthouja (Mangang)
256
234
115
254[ 18]
125
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ
Luwang
105
93
56
106[ 19]
58
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ
Khuman
176
199
103
204[ 20]
67
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ
Angom
96
109
50
103[ 21]
62
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ (ꯃꯣꯏꯂꯥꯡ)
Moirang (Moilang)
100
110
66
99[ 22]
67
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ
Kha Nganpa
42
37
17
43[ 23]
21
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)
Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)
62
45
41
65[ 24]
35
Traditional ancestors
Generic term(s)[ 25]
According to Neelbir Sairem[ 26]
According to Lairenlakpam Bino Devi[ 27] & N. Tarunkumar Singh[ 13]
Associated Meitei clans
Romanisation
Note(s)
Traditional ancestors
Romanisation
Traditional ancestors
Romanisation
Traditional ancestors
Romanisation
ꯃꯉꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯃꯉꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ
Mangang Pokpa/Mangang Apokpa
ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ
Pakhangba
ꯄꯥꯈꯪꯕ
Pakhangba
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)
Ningthouja (Mangang)
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ
Luwang Pokpa/Luwang Apokpa
ꯄꯣꯏꯔꯩꯇꯣꯟ
Poireiton
ꯄꯣꯏꯔꯩꯇꯣꯟ
Poireiton
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ
Luwang
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ
Khuman Pokpa /Khuman Apokpa
ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯂꯦꯟ (ꯊꯣꯡꯉꯥꯔꯦꯟ)
Thongalen (Thongaren )
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ
Khuman
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯑꯉꯣꯝ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ
Angom Pokpa/Angom Apokpa
ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ
Pureiromba
ꯄꯨꯔꯩꯔꯣꯝꯕ
Pureiromba
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ
Angom
ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯃꯣꯏꯔꯥꯡ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ
Moirang Pokpa/Moirang Apokpa
ꯉꯥꯡꯍꯨꯟꯊꯣꯛ & ꯉꯥꯡꯅꯤꯡꯁꯤꯡ
Nganghunthok & Ngangningsing
ꯉꯥꯡꯅꯤꯡꯁꯤꯡ
Ngangningsing
ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)
Moirang (Moilang)
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ
Kha Nganpa Pokpa/Kha Nganpa Apokpa
ꯈꯝꯆꯤꯡꯀꯣꯟ
Khamchingkon
—
Khamdingou
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ
Kha Nganpa
ꯆꯦꯡꯂꯩ ꯄꯣꯛꯄ / ꯆꯦꯡꯂꯩ ꯑꯄꯣꯛꯄ
Chenglei Pokpa/Chenglei Apokpa
ꯅꯨꯡꯉꯧ ꯌꯨꯝꯊꯪꯕ
Nung-ngou Yumthangba
ꯅꯨꯡꯉꯧ ꯌꯨꯝꯊꯪꯕ
Nungngou Yumthangba
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)
Chenglei / Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)
Swords
Illustrations of the swords
Names of the swords
Romanisation
Associated Meitei clans
Romanisation
Maximum breadth (cm)[ 28]
Maximum length (cm)[ 28]
Note(s)
ꯆꯛꯊꯥꯡ
Chak Thaang[ 18]
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)
Ningthouja (Mangang)
6.2
59.6
[ 29] [ 30]
ꯇꯣꯟꯗꯨꯝꯕ
Tondumba[ 19]
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ
Luwang
5.7
58.7
ꯇꯣꯟꯀꯛꯄ
Tonkakpa[ 20]
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ
Khuman
6.6
57.2
ꯄꯨꯀꯛ ꯊꯥꯡ
Pukak Thaang[ 21]
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ
Angom
6.3
50.1
ꯌꯦꯟꯕꯥ ꯃꯇꯣꯛ ꯁꯥꯕ
Yenbaa Matok Saaba/Matok Paanba[ 22]
ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)
Moirang (Moilang)
7.2
54.2
ꯂꯥꯏꯊꯥꯡ ꯆꯤꯅꯥꯏꯕ
Laithaang Chinaaiba[ 23]
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ
Kha Nganpa
5.9
58.6
ꯈꯨꯟꯊꯣꯡ ꯊꯥꯡ
Khunthong Thaang/Khunthok Laaithaang[ 24]
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)
Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)
5.9
59.1
Classical elements
Sacred water
Sacred fire
Associated Meitei clans
Romanisation
Note(s)
Water of Nungseng (Nungjeng)
7 flames of Meiyei Meithang
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)
Ningthouja (Mangang)
[ 18]
[ 31] [ 32]
Water of Lamphel
Flame of Khoiju
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ
Luwang
[ 19]
Water of Pumlen
Flame of Meithang
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ
Khuman
[ 20]
Water of Kongba Meironbi
Flame of Meiba Chingba Mei
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ
Angom
[ 21]
Water of Loktak
3 flames of Meithang
ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)
Moirang (Moilang)
[ 22]
Water of Leitang/Takna Kha Puruk shoubi
Flame of Leikham Waimei
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ
Kha Nganpa
[ 23]
Water of Takna/Takyel
5 flames of Leikham Waimeithang
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)
Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)
[ 24]
Totems
Sacred plants
Sacred fishes
Sacred leaves
Sacred fruits
Sacred flowers
Sacred woods/timbers
Associated Meitei clans
Romanisation
Note(s)
Urum
Saareng Angaangba/Ngaahei
Thamlaa/Changbilaa
Thamchet/Heijang/Heibi
Thambaal Angaangba
Sayi/Uyung
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)
Ningthouja (Mangang)
[ 18]
[ 33] [ 34]
Khok U
Saareng Luwaoba/Ngaamu
Laayaai
Kihom/Heiba
Mellei
Heiku/Upal
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ
Luwang
[ 19]
Pungphai
Saareng Mureinaba/Ngaatin
Changbilaa/Kwaaklaa/Khaanglaa
Heibung/Heiku/Heibong
Leisang/Kwaaklei/Leikhaam
Chaokhong/Sayi/Waa
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ
Khuman
[ 20]
Tairel
Saareng Angouba/Ngaraa
Laarong/Leihoulaa
Heibong/Heiba
Tharo/Thambaal (Angouba)
Upal/Sayi
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ
Angom
[ 21]
Nauhing
Saareng Naapu
Khaanglaa
Heiyit
Yerum Lei/Laangthrei
Kuhi/Khanglaa/Tou
ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)
Moirang (Moilang)
[ 22]
Napu Nasen
Saareng Ngaangna Laangba
Leihoulaa/Laaronglaa
Heiba/Heibung
Haorei/Yerumlei/Mellei/Leisang
Ching Yensin
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ
Kha Nganpa
[ 23]
Naapi Singbi
Saareng Sangbaannana Laangba/Ngaaren
Changbilaa/Thamlaa
Heijang/Heibung/Heitup
Leisang/Leikham/Sangbrei
Nongleisang
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)
Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)
[ 24]
Sacred colors
Yek Salai 7 Flag, representing the 7 sacred colors of the 7 groups
Sacred colours[ a]
Associated Meitei clans
Romanisation
Note(s)
Red[ 18]
ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ (ꯃꯉꯥꯡ)
Ningthouja (Mangang)
[ 35] [ 36]
Light blue/White[ 19]
ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ
Luwang
Black[ 20]
ꯈꯨꯃꯟ
Khuman
White/Yellow[ 21]
ꯑꯉꯣꯝ
Angom
Yellow/Dark Red[ 22]
ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯁꯂꯥꯢ (ꯃꯣꯢꯂꯥꯡ)
Moirang (Moilang)
Green (striped)/Sweet potato colour[ 23]
ꯈꯥ ꯉꯥꯟꯄ
Kha Nganpa
Green/Sky colour[ 24]
ꯁꯂꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ (ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ)
Sarang Leishangthem (Salang / Salai Leishangthem)
Gallery
Related pages
References
^ Variations exist based on different contexts as per different sources
^ Biswas, Prasenjit; Thomas, C. Joshua (2006). Peace in India's North-East: Meaning, Metaphor, and Method : Essays of Concern and Commitment . Regency Publications. p. 68. ISBN 978-81-89233-48-8 .
^ Economic and Political Weekly. India: Sameeksha Trust, 2003. p. 2035
^ Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India . Atlantic Publishers & Dist. p. 1328. ISBN 978-81-269-0705-2 .
^ Ghosal, Soma (2003). The Politics of Drugs and India's Northeast . Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies, Kolkata. p. 47. ISBN 978-81-7975-065-0 .
^ "The People - Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC)" . mastec.nic.in . Retrieved 2024-10-27 .
^ "The Evolution of The Meetei State By K Manikchand" . e-pao.net . Retrieved 2024-10-27 .
^ "Evolution of Meitei Society" . www.ijaresm.com . Retrieved 2024-10-27 . The confederacy was formed by the union of seven clans viz; Ningthouja, Angom, Khuman, Luwang, Kha-nganba, Moirang and Sarang-Leishanthem...
^ "Chieftainship among Meiteis Mizos 5" . e-pao.net . Retrieved 2024-10-27 .
^ Devi, Nunglekpam Premi (2018-04-14). A Glimpse of Manipuri Literary Works . FSP Media Publications. p. 41.
^ North-East India: Interpreting the Sources of Its History. India: Indian Council of Historical Research, 2008. p. 145
^ Ghosh, Subir. Frontier travails : Northeast, the politics of a mess. India: MacMillan, 2001. p. 25
^ Journal of the Assam Research Society. India: Kāmarūpa Anusandhān Samiti, 2007. p. 106
^ a b Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization . Mittal Publications. p. 10. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2 .
^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
^ "Who are the Indigenous People of Manipur Part 2 By Khomdon Lisam" . e-pao.net . Retrieved 2025-02-15 .
^ Hodson, Thomas Callan. The Meitheis. India: D. Nutt, 1908.
^ "The People - Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC)" . mastec.nic.in . Retrieved 2025-02-18 .
^ a b c d e "MANGANG YEK SALAI – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16 .
^ a b c d e "LUWANG SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16 .
^ a b c d e "KHUMAN SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16 .
^ a b c d e "ANGOM SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16 .
^ a b c d e "MOIRANG SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16 .
^ a b c d e "KHABA NGANBA SURNAME LIST – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16 .
^ a b c d e "SALANG LEISHANGTHEM – Manipur Mirror" . Retrieved 2025-02-16 .
^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
^ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai . Mittal Publications. pp. 49, 50. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5 .
^ a b "Singh N. A. , Bezbaruah D., Gourachandra M. / Antrocom Online Journal of Anthropology, vol. 18, n. 2a (2022) 349-356" (PDF) .
^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
^ Monihar, N. (2000). Sagei Salai Apoklon (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India.
^ Neelbir, Sairem (2004). Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik (in Manipuri). India: Internet Archive; Digital Library of India. p. 140.
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