Tangkhul people

Tangkhul people
Tangkhul men performing a folk dance in traditional attire
Total population
178,568 (2011 census)
Regions with significant populations
Languages
Tangkhulic languages, Sorbung, Falam
Religion
Christianity, Animism
Related ethnic groups
Maring, Uipo, Tangkul Language, Meitei, Chin

The Tangkhuls, also known as the Tangkhul Nagas, are a Naga ethnic group living in Ukhrul District, occupying the Ukhrul district and Kamjong district in the Northeast Indian state of Manipur, and in parts of neighbouring Myanmar. Despite this international border, many Tangkhul have continued to regard themselves as "one nation". The name "Tangkhul" is originated from the Meitei language words, "Tang" meaning "scarce" and "Khul" meaning "village" respectively. According to another theory of origin, the term "Tangkhul" is derived from "Thankhul", meaning "Than village" in Meitei language.

Relationship with the Meiteis

Statue of Haoreima, a Meitei goddess of Tangkhul origin, installed in the Kakching Garden of Kakching district, Manipur

Haoreima, the Meitei goddess of tragic love and separation, was actually a deified person of the Tangkhul origin. She was a daughter of Khelemba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingdai village, and was married to Khamlangba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingshong village. Despite marrying Khamlangba, she had a secret love affair with Meitei king Meidingu Tabungba, also called Tabung Saphaba (1359-1394 CE). However, the Meitei king had an untimely death, which shocked Lady Haoreima. Afterwards, she went to the Kanglei Pungmayol (in modern-day Imphal). Later, she also died, following her lover's path and was eventually venerated as the Meitei goddess of tragic love and separation. She is also identified as goddess Ireima, an incarnation of goddess Panthoibi of the Meitei pantheon.

Tangkhul Naga Long

Tangkhul Naga Long, founded in 1929, is the apex body of the Tangkhul Naga community in Manipur. It is made up of chiefs and leaders of different Tangkhul villages. It represents Tangkhul aspirations and puts forward demands to the government on behalf of the Tangkhul people.

In 2022, its president Hopkinson A. Shimray resigned to enter electoral politics. Its current president is Sword Vashum.

See also

Further reading

Notable people

Notes

  1. ↑ He is eponymous with Meitei God Khamlangba, because "Khamlangba" is a popular male given name in Kangleipak (Manipur).

References

  1. ↑ "Tangkhul". Ethnologue.
  2. ↑ "Tangkhul".
  3. ↑ Khamrang, Khayaipam (2000) "The Tangkhul Naga Tribe between Tradition and Modernity" pp. 37–71, page 49, In Frei, Fritz (editor) (2000) Inkulturation zwischen Tradition und Modernität: Kontext, Begriffe, Modelle Freiberg University Press, Freiberg, Switzerland, ISBN 3-7278-1292-3
  4. ↑ Sanyu, Visier (1996). A History of Nagas and Nagaland: Dynamics of Oral Tradition in Village Formation. University of Michigan. Commonwealth Publishers. p. 25. ISBN 978-81-7169-369-6. ... a sparse nature of settlement that the Tangkhul tribe got its name. In Meitei language-literally, Tang means scarce and khul means village.
  5. ↑ Shimray, A. S. W. (2001). History of the Tangkhul Nagas. Akansha Publishing House. p. 43. ISBN 978-81-87606-04-8. ... the village which they lived was known by the name 'THANKHUL' meaning Than - Village in Meitei language. Therefore, the name 'TANGKHUL' is derived from Than - Khul ...
  6. ↑ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. p. 516. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2. The name Tangkhul was given to them by the Meiteis. There are many legends regarding the origin of the word Tangkhul.
  7. 1 2 Hareshwar Goshwami (2004). History of the People of Manipur (Revised ed.). London: Yaol Publishing. pp. 214–215. ISBN 978-1-9993057-0-3.
  8. 1 2 Hareshwar Goshwami (2004). History of the People of Manipur (Revised ed.). London: Yaol Publishing. pp. 216–217. ISBN 978-1-9993057-0-3.
  9. ↑ Kom, Ch. Sekholal (January–June 2011), "Militancy and Negotiations: A Study of Suspension of Operation in Manipur" (PDF), Journal of Peace Studies, 18 (1–2): 73
  10. ↑ Divya Bahn, Memorial stones spark row in Manipur as Kukis accused of distorting history, The New Indian Express, 17 October 2019.
  11. 1 2 Former TNL president decides to enter electoral fray in Phungyar AC, The Frontier Manipur, 13 October 2021.
  12. ↑ Manipur: Tangkhul Naga Long Submits 14-Point Demand Charter to CM During His Ukhrul Visit, Northeast Live, 17 April 2026.
  13. ↑ Angana Chakrabarti, Robinson Wahengbam, Peace, at Gunpoint, The Reporters' Collective, 28 June 2026.
  14. ↑ "We have no future in present Manipur...", Chief of Apex Tangkhul Organisation, The Lungleng Show, via YouTube, 24 November 2025.