Skip to main content

Migration Theory of Rongmei Naga

By Administrator
Makhel Makhel is believed by several Naga tribes like Angami, Chakhesang , Mao, Maram, Pochury, Poumai, Rengma, Thangal, Zeliangrong, etc. to be a village of their origin and a point of dispersal in their migration to their respective habitats. The history of Makhel as an ancient village of migration has been collaborated by the stone megalith of dispersion, Tamraratu in the present Mao village of Makhel. T.C Hodson wrote in 1911, “At Makhel is to be seen a stone now erect which Marks the place from which the common ancestor (of the Nagas) emerged from the earth. Makhel is regarded as the centre from where the migration took place “. The first Man at Makhel had three sons Alpha, Tutuwa,and Khepio. The brothers for unknown reasons decided to depart from Makhel and constructed a Megalith as the place of their dispersal. Legends tell that the ancestors of the Zeliangrong people are descendants of the inhabitants Makhel. They also left the place in course of time. Ramting Kabin(First village of Zeliangrong). From Makhel the ancestors of the Zeliangrong people went westward and took temporary shelter at Ramtin Kabin. Ramting Kabin means “Old squeezed land”( Ram = land/village, Ting = Old and Kabin = squeezed). The ancestor of the Zeliangrong people moved across the densely forested western spur of the Mt. Essau. According to the Zeme legend they left Makhel and settled at Nrimrengdi, then to Ramting Kabin. Ramting Kabin is near Chawang Phungning. 

Image: seawatersports.com



Chawang Phungning From Ramting Kabin they went to Chawang Phungning which is also called Gwang Phungning. The concept of Chawang or Gwang means king or chief was developed at Chawang Phungning. There are many references to the prosperity of Chawang Phungning in many ritual hymns. From this place some of the migrants took towards the North-East and arrived at Makuilongdi. Chawang Phungning is identified with present village of Oklong in north Manipur. Makuilongdi: A cradle of Zeliangrong Culture The Zeliangrong ancestors ultimately came to occupy Makuilongdi or Nkuilongdi meaning “Big round mountain”. Nothing is known about Makuilongdi before the zeliangrong migration. Many Liangmai lineages traced the origin from Chawang Phungning which was the main village of a cluster of villages which came to be known as Makuilongdi. Since the migrating people came in groups, they must have established separate settlements. Chawang Phungning was a main settlement and the settlers from this village built up Makuilongdi. These were perhaps cluster of villages or settlements under the jurisdiction of Makuilongdi that was adjacent to Chawang Phungning. The land, forest and water available at the new sites in the rounded great mountains provided enough sustenance to the people. The ancestors of Zeliangrong lived at Makuilongdi for many generations. The village became prosperous with enough land for shifting cultivation, which produced surplus food grains. From a small village it had became a cluster of small hamlets and settlements, which were established for organizing shifting cultivation, as they were quite distant from the original village. The territorial extension of Makuilongdi was far and wide. At Makuilongdi at polity was developed under a chief. Religious beliefs and social customs developed and flourished. Clans and lineages also grew up. Several migration teams were sent out to establish new villages in different directions. The people depend their lives on forest product as well and this led them to migrate from place to place in search of food,shelter and fertility of land. Exodus from Makuilongdi According to legends, the sudden mass exodus from Makuilongdi occurred after a divine warning for violating the law of nature and regular social life of the village. They devoted to the performance of Tarang ki/kai ceremonial house rituals and celebrations in a single year without any break forgetting their lunar calendar of the agricultural cycle and indulging in enjoyment and merry making. Suddenly cicada insects flew into the village and in their shrill voice announced to the people that the lunar year had come to an end. The people were shocked and horrified and made quick exodus out of Makuilongdi towards different directions. Makuilongdi was the cradle of Zeliangrong Culture. There was a well knit society based on shifting agriculture and with a well organized polity. They spoke a language a kin to the present Liangmai dialect. At Makuilongdi two major clans, Pamei and Newmei emerged at indicted by the two stones megaliths namely Pamei stone and newmei stone. However, there are references to several lineages or families that traced direct descendants from Makuilongdi. They are the sub-lineages of both Pamei and Newmei clans. Some scholars opined that the exodus from Makuilongdi could be due to the great pressure on agricultural lands as a result of the increasing population. Differences also cropped up over the succession to the office of the chief. Other reasons besides the causes mentioned above could have also prompted the exodus from makuilongdi. The Rongmei Migration The third son of Nguiba, Rembangbe(pronounced Nriengbangbe in Zeme, Rengbangbou in Liangmai) led a large group of people from Makuilongdi towards the South. They came to be known as Marongmei or Rongmei, dwellers of the fallow lands and of the Southern region. This group was the most adventurous and scattered groups. The migrants settled down at Kajinglong at present a Liangmai village, for many generations. Many lineages of the Rongmei section trace their origin to Kajinglong, which was another sub-centre of Zeliangrong migration to the Southern region. The settlement history of many Rongmei and Puimei villages points to Kajinglong as their original native village. These adventurous groups went out of Kajinglong and founded many villages that are still occupied by their descendants in the trans-Irang basin in the present Tamenglong District of Manipur. The movement of the migrating people was in small groups. Each group consisted of mostly two clans who founded the villages. Later on they were joined by the relatives and clansmen. The migration of the Rongmei continued for many centuries and they moved up to the confines of Chin Hills and Mizoram in Tuivai(Duigai) valley. The Rongmei migrated both to the East and West of the Barak and Irang basin and even to the Cachar and Imphal Valley. Source
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

HOME

By Administrator
The Rongmei community, a subgroup of the Naga tribe, resides across the states of Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland in India's northeastern region. They identify themselves as part of the larger Zeliangrong Naga community. The Indian government's actions have led to concerns about the preservation of their unique identities. While a significant portion of the Rongmei population is concentrated in Manipur, there is also a notable presence in Assam's Barak Valley. Their primary language is Rongmei, also known as Ruanglat. The term "Rongmei" is a combination of two words: "Nruang," meaning South, and "mei," meaning people, signifying "people of the south." The Ethnologue, an international language database, recognizes their language with the code "NBU" for the Rongmei dialect (https://www.ethnologue.com/language/nbu). The Rongmei tribe has a historical connection with Barak (Aguh) Valley, where they are considered one of the earlie...
2 comments
Read more

Clans in Rongmei

By Administrator
The major clans are Gonmei, Kamei, Gangmei and Rwangmei or Longmei. Every clan has a totem which is a symbol or emblem of a clan or family and it is a food taboos either an animal or bird, or tree or plants. The totems of these clans are Roingao bird of Gonmei, Ahuina (green pigeon) of Kamei, Tiger of Gangmei and white pumpkin/dog of Rwangmei. Each major clan is subdivided into a number of lineages. The lineage is a socially binding and an intermediary unit in between family and clan. ( ref ) Image: from Binnakandi Gonmei/Golmei clan is subdivided into lineages like: 1. Gonthangmei 2. Gondaimei 3. Remmei/Riamei, 4. Maringmei, 5. Dangmei, 6. Panmei/Palmei and 7. Thaimei Kamei clan has: 1. Pamei Phaomei, 2. Siangongmei, Ngaomei, 3. Khandangmei Malangmei, 4. Kamson and 5. Daimei. Gangmei clan also has lineages such as: 1. Kamang Gangmei, 2. Pheiga Gangmei, 3. Sidou Gangmei, 4. Jukhao Gangmei, 5. Goijaichang Gangmei, 6. Taokhondai Gangmei and 7. Pongring Gangmei. ...
2 comments
Read more

Rani Gaidinliu and Heraka Religion

By Administrator
India is currently commemorating the birth centenary of Rani Gaidinliu, an exceptional figure in the annals of its history. Her role in the struggle for India's independence against the mighty British Empire and her endeavors to reform the socio-religious landscape have positioned her as a significant and inspirational figure. Despite her profound contributions, her name and achievements remain conspicuously absent from mainstream history textbooks and educational curricula, a glaring oversight that underscores the need to recognize her rightful place among Indian freedom fighters. Image: Epao Born on the 26th of January, 1915, in Nungkao, a Rongmei village nestled between the Barak and Makru rivers in the Tamenglong District of Manipur, Rani Gaidinliu's name translates to "bearer of good news." From a tender age, she exhibited extraordinary qualities and a courageous spirit that set her apart. Her life took a transformative turn when she encountered a young girl in ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Heraka

By Administrator
The Zeliangrong people of Northeast India follow a significant indigenous religion known as Heraka. The term "Heraka" originates from the Zemei language and translates to "pure and not impure." The ideology behind Heraka is centered around the veneration of Tingwang, the supreme deity. The religion emphasizes purity, monotheism, and the avoidance of blood sacrifices associated with smaller deities. Image: Wikipedia In the Zeliangrong belief system, Heraka is not a departure from their traditional practices but rather a rational enhancement. The core concept revolves around worshiping only Tingwang, which represents monotheism. Heraka brings a sense of unity and understanding among the community, fostering peace and love. The religion promotes love for parents, self-discipline, and truthfulness. Tingwang is regarded as the creator of the universe, responsible for the Sun, Moon, stars, Earth, water, air, humans, animals, and all living things. The deity is considered...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chaakan Gaan-Ngai

By Administrator
INTRODUCTION Image: A-pao Gaan Ngai Festival: Nurturing the Heart of Zeliangrong Culture Culture, tradition, and religious practices are threads that intricately weave the identity of a community. For the Zeliangrong people, the Gaan Ngai Festival stands as a pinnacle, embodying their cultural and religious essence. This festival, also known as Chaakan Gaan-Ngai, serves as a vibrant tapestry that not only unites the Zeliangrong community but also reflects their historical journey and spiritual connection. From its origin to its modern-day celebration, Gaan Ngai Festival holds a special place in the hearts and lives of the Zeliangrong people, residing in the states of Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam. A Triad of Names and Uniting Essence The Zeliangrong community, a collective term for Zemei, Liangmai, and Rongmei (Kabui) tribes, along with Puimei, came into being on February 15, 1947, at Keishamthong Kabui Village. Gaan Ngai Festival, also known as Gin-Ngi among the Liangmai, Hega-Ngi amo...
Post a Comment
Read more