Anal tribes are frequently seen in the districts of Chandel and in the adjacent districts of Thoubal and Churachandpur. In Churachandpur, Anal tribes dwell in three villages and two villages of Thoubal. As per the ancient belief, the ancestors of Anal tribe came from Khul which is `from underneath the earth`. Later, they continued to lead a nomadic life for a long period before settling down in Tengnoupal areas of Chandel district, Manipur.
Social Organisation of Anal Tribes
The Anal society is patriarchal. The basic unit of social organisation is the family. All authority is vested in father and lineage or descent is traced through him. Property belongs to him and his sons. Anal society is divided into two exogamous groups -Chancing or Marum and Kuri or Mulchal which are further divided into various groups.
Monogamy is the common type of marriage though polygamy is also tolerated. Marriage takes place between the members of the marum and Mulchal groups. The womenfolk of the society play a vital role in the economic life. The husband plays responsible and independent roles. In the political and religious spheres women have no role to play. The Anal society is a society that is ranked. Age differentiation is found in this society and it establishes rules of precedence and formal respect which is due to some members of the society from other members. One has to go through different age-grade organisations as one`s age advances. There are eight tier age-grade systems among the Anal tribes.
Economic Life of Anal Tribes
Their economy is purely agrarian. They practice Jhum as well as wet cultivation as a means of livelihood. Rice is the main crop cultivated. Maize, ginger, sesame, chilli and tomato are the important crops grown in Jhum fields. Crops are grown mainly for the household consumption and the surplus is sold for cash income. Women finish the household work and go to field to assist their husbands to market to sell out the surplus products and to purchase essential things which they can not produce at home and to the nearby forest to fetch fire wood for household consumption.
Religious Life of Anal Tribes
Presently the Anal tribes follow Christianity. 1939 is the land mark for Christianization of the Anal tribes. Before conversion they were pure naturalist who had great faith upon the deities and spirits. Aspavan was the supermen god. They believed in a number of spirits. The Anals believe in their traditional religion that is based on the atonement of Umang Lai, the forest god, Wangbrel. The Anals are the followers of Wangbrel and the shrine of this deity is worshipped by the people of this community.
Festivals of Anal Tribes
Among the well known festivals of Anal community are Phithala, Ikam, Mikhepemhan, Inhla, Sungkomlkham. The festivals that are integrated to Anal community life are also very old. Chavan Kumhrin` festival has reached height of popularity .The Chavan Kumhrin festival of Anal tribes is feted on `23rd October` annually.
Following the trends of modern times, Anal community is slowly accepting few customs and practices of modern society, thus leading themselves towards their own betterment.
