Tribes of Manipur
- June 2, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Tribes of Manipur
Subject: History
Section: Art & Culture
Context: Ethnic clashes
Content: There are 33 recognised tribes (in Manipur) which either fall under the Nagas or the Kukis, the two different conglomerates of Manipur tribals. Despite the socio-political and linguistic differences among them, all the ethnic tribes originate from the same Mongoloid group. Rice is consumed as the main food by all tribes of Manipur whereas meat, fish and seasonal vegetables are being the favorites. Some of the tribals are listed below.
| TRIBES NAME | LOCATION | RELIGION/ LANGUAGE | CHARATERISTICS/ OCCUPATION |
| Aimol (Assam and Manipur) | Chandel district, Senapati district and around Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district | Aimol language & Christianity | slash and burn agriculture |
| Anal | One of the Oldest dwellers of Tengnoupaldist | Earlier recognized as one of the oldest Kuki tribes but now as Naga tribe | |
| Chiru (Manipur and Assam) | Tamenglong, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Thoubal district | Chiru dialect | recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in 1956 |
| Chothe | Chandel and Bishnupur districts | Kuki-Chin dialect | – cultivation, livestock rearing, blacksmith, weaving – divided into 7 clans |
| Gangte | Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Senapati districts | Christianity | quite a strong population, one of the educated with 99% literacy rate. |
| Hmar | Churachandpur district | Adopted Christianity in 1910 | – Agriculture and weaving – village administration consisting of Lal (Chief), Khawnbawlupa (chief minister), Khonbols (ministers). |
| Kharam | KharamPallen village- main biggest settlement | Christianity is mostly followed | recognized as a scheduled tribe in 2003 |
| Khoibu/ Oipu | oldest and the first Khoibu settlement village in Chandel district | Khoibu dialect | recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in 1949. |
| Koirao/Thangals | Senapati district | – live in hill villages located along the NH- 2. – dress in bright and colorful attires. | |
| Kom | Churachandpur, Tengnoupal and Senapati districts | Christianity | Major festivals are Seling, Hlungphun, Belam and Lamkut. |