Tamenglong District

in north eastern India, Tamenglong district is one of the districts of Manipur and spreads over a total area of 4,391 sq. km. The town of Tamenglong is the headquarters of this district. Currently, the Tamenglong district is one of the 3 districts in the state that is receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).

During the British reign in 1919, 4 sub divisions office were established in the Manipur Hills known as North East Sub Division, North West Sub Division, South East Sub Division and South West Sub Division. Initially, the headquarters for the North West Sub Division was set up at Khunjao in Tameglong village but later in 1923, it was shifted to the present day Tamenglong district. This sub division was later renamed as Tamenglong Sub Division as it became a full- fledged district in 1969 and the first Deputy Commissioner was posted.

After the Indian Independence, for a long time, the Tamenglong district was not connected by proper roadways. In 1957, the first road was inaugurated which connected the Tamenglong district to Imphal, the capital of Manipur.

The Tamenglong district is bounded by the state of Nagaland on the north, by Senapati district on the east, Churchandpur district on the south and by Imphal West District along with the north eastern state of Assam on the west. The district experiences a warm and temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 18.5 degree Celsius. The Tamenglong district also receives an annual precipitation of 3336 mm.

As per the Census India reports of 2011, the total population of the Tamenglong district was 140,651 out of which male and female were 72,371 and 68,280 respectively. Compared to the 2001 census report, there has been a recorded increase of 25.69 percent in the population of Tamenglong district. The population of children between the ages of 0 to 6 years were 19,307 with a sex ratio of 953 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 70.4 percent.

Culture of Tamenglong District is dictated by the extensive orchids and the hills, ranges, narrow valleys. Tamenglong region is inhabited by majority Zeliangrong Naga tribe that is comprised of Rongmei, Liangmei, Zemei and Pumei) and Kukis, besides minority Hmars, Chirus and Khasis. Whether it is racially or physically or even linguistically the Zeliangrongs is Tibeto-Burman (Indo-Mongoloid) belonging to the Sino-Tibetan family of the Mongolian race. If history is to be believed it is assumed that Mongoloid groups consisting of Zeliangrong Nagas during the ancient or prehistoric times inhabited the upper course of the Yangtze and Howang Ho rivers in China.

The Zeliangrong nagas confer to the basics of the patriarchal social system. Each clan enjoys equal status and over and above exogamy is strictly observed. The custom of Cross-cousin marriage is preferred by most but the parallel cross-cousin nuptial knot ties are observed seldom. Besides following many other normal customs of a Naga-tribe, they also have some strange and fearful customs.

Nasitheimei or Nathitheimei is one such that is shocking and fearful. According to this custom, if a woman dies in childbirth the child even is not permitted to live and mercilessly the new born is buried with the dead mother as they anticipate that the woman is ominous.

Mandu thrives to be the bone price of wife and the patri-lineal relatives of the wife are in huge demand of this. After the demise of a wife, it is her father who demands Mandu from the husband and if he is dead, it is the late husband`s nearest relative who is in demand. Mandu thrives to be a token of security that care will be taken both of wife and offspring.

Besides normal marriage like by engagement or by elopement there are even other kinds of marriage found within this district and the tribes. Noumang-mei-Nou-kao or Marriage by Service is one type which is practised within this clan. With the agreement of both parties the bridegroom stays at the girl`s parents` house and stays for three to four years and lives as husband and wife then finally retreats home. Chamemei is the custom when the bride is prepared for marriage even against her consent to a family to whom the girls` parents are in debt or some obligations. Naokakhaomei is the marriage custom when after the accidental death of a man; the nearest next brother will look after the children and remarry the wife of his brother. This marriage custom closely follows the Rajput or ancient Hindu customs.

Festivals of Tamenglong District reflect the rich cultural diversity and manifold traditions of the Eastern Indian state of Manipur. The various agricultural practices and many other regional activities are expressed through these colourful festivals like Gan-Ngai, Rih-Ngai, Gudui-Ngai and Banruhmei.

Gan-Ngai : The Gan-Ngai festival is observed in the months of December till January, particularly following the harvest which lasts for about five days. The festival is announced by blowing horns and lighting fresh fires. Villages are clad in new attires and are engaged in dancing and singing, followed by merrymaking and feasting.

Rih-Ngai : Also known as Rih-Ngai, this festival is celebrated in January-February, which is participated by men. Strangers are not permitted to gain entry inside the village while this festival is celebrated. Men generally avoid indulging in sexual intercourse and foodstuffs cooked by women are also not consumed. An effigy is shot during the ritual of `Raangh-Kapmei` and it is a general belief that one who hits the effigy would be successful in battles or would be successful in hunting.

Gudui-Ngai : The festival of Gudui-Ngai is celebrated during the month of April, when seeds are sown. After clearing the jungles, the regional inhabitants of the village drink juice or `dui` made of ginger or `Gu`. A game of tug of war is played between men and women belonging to the village. This game is said to represent a competition between God and Goddess for gaining ownership of the paddy. A prosperous harvest is indicated if the girls win this game.

Banrulmei and Tarang : Banrulmei and Tarang are the two feasts which are observed in Manipur. The generous, rich and brave people arrange for both these feasts. It is said that if a man is capable of holding both these feasts of merit, he has been able to accomplish the entire amount of work, which is equivalent to that done during his lifetime. Different songs and dances are performed during this festival. As per the rituals of this festival, the wife of the host of this festival performs a unique dance, accompanied by a rice beer cistern. The Tarang festival, also referred to as `Kaisumei` is celebrated by the people who have arranged the Banruhmei.

The Tamenglong district has an irregular undulated topography with turbulent rivers, waterfalls, caves, lakes, and dense tropical forests covering the land. Some of the popular tourist attractions of the district are the Barak Waterfall, the magnificent cliff of Khisa Khou, the village of Zeiladzang, the meadows of Buning and lastly, the mystical Tharon Cave, the abode of bruit bats.