Manipur
Tribes of Manipur
Manipur is made up of a central valley about 2,000 square kilometres in size, surrounded by hill districts. The valley is home to the Meitei, who form the largest single community in the state, along with the Meitei Pangal (Manipuri Muslims). The hills are home to a large number of Naga and Kuki-Zo communities, each with its own language and history.
Community classification in Manipur is a sensitive and contested subject, and it is treated carefully here. The Meitei are the state's majority ethnic community and speak Meiteilon (Manipuri), a language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution; they are not classified as a Scheduled Tribe. The hill communities — Tangkhul, Mao, Poumai, Maram, Rongmei, Zeliangrong, Thadou, Paite, Hmar, Vaiphei, Zou, Gangte, Mizo, Anal, Lamkang, Maring, Moyon, Monsang and others — are recognised Scheduled Tribes.
Manipur has experienced serious ethnic conflict since 2023, and travel conditions vary by district and change without notice. Anyone planning a visit should take current local advice; nothing on this page should be read as a statement that a particular area is open.
Major communities of Manipur
Meitei
Also written: Meetei
- Where:
- Imphal valley — Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching
- Language:
- Meiteilon (Manipuri), a Tibeto-Burman language with its own Meitei Mayek script, listed in the Eighth Schedule
- Livelihood:
- Wet rice cultivation, fishing on Loktak, handloom, trade; the Ima Keithel women's market in Imphal is run entirely by women
The Meitei are the state's majority community and are not a Scheduled Tribe. Their cultural repertoire includes Ras Lila, one of India's eight classical dance forms, the martial art Thang-Ta, the Lai Haraoba rites honouring the pre-Vaishnavite Umang Lai deities, and Sanamahism, the indigenous religion that continues alongside Vaishnavite Hinduism.
Tangkhul
- Where:
- Ukhrul district, in the eastern hills toward the Myanmar border
- Language:
- Tangkhul, a Tibeto-Burman language with unusually strong village-to-village variation
- Livelihood:
- Terrace and jhum cultivation, horticulture, weaving
One of the major Naga communities of Manipur. Luira Phanit, the seed-sowing festival held in spring, is their principal observance. Tangkhul villages sit at high altitude and the Shirui lily, found on Shirui peak, is the state flower.
Mao, Poumai and Maram
- Where:
- Senapati district, along the Nagaland border
- Language:
- Mao, Poumai and Maram — closely related Naga languages of the Tenyimia group
- Livelihood:
- Terrace rice farming, high-altitude horticulture
These communities farm some of the most extensive stone-supported terraces in the region. Chüthuni and Saleni are among the Mao seasonal festivals.
Rongmei and Zeliangrong
- Where:
- Tamenglong, Noney and adjoining areas of Assam and Nagaland
- Language:
- Rongmei, Zeme and Liangmai (Tibeto-Burman)
- Livelihood:
- Jhum cultivation, horticulture, cane and bamboo
Zeliangrong is a shared identity formed by the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei communities, who span three states. Gaan-Ngai, held around December–January, is the community's main festival and is a public holiday in Manipur.
Kuki-Zo communities
Also written: Thadou, Paite, Hmar, Vaiphei, Zou, Gangte, Simte and others
- Where:
- Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal and other hill districts
- Language:
- Kuki-Chin languages, closely related to Mizo
- Livelihood:
- Jhum and terrace cultivation, horticulture, church and government service
These communities are related to the Mizo and Chin peoples across the state and international borders. Chavang Kut, the autumn harvest festival held on 1 November, is observed as a state holiday. Identity terminology in this group is politically significant and is best used as communities use it of themselves.
Meitei Pangal
- Where:
- Valley districts, especially Thoubal and Imphal East
- Language:
- Meiteilon, with Persian and Bengali elements in ritual usage
- Livelihood:
- Farming, trade, weaving
Manipuri Muslims, descended from seventeenth-century settlers who married into Meitei society. They are a distinct community within the valley, neither Scheduled Tribe nor culturally identical to the Meitei majority.
Languages and cultural identity
Meiteilon is the state's link language and one of India's scheduled languages, written increasingly in the revived Meitei Mayek script. The hill communities speak Naga languages in the north and east and Kuki-Chin languages in the south and west. Religiously the valley combines Vaishnavite Hinduism with Sanamahism and, among the Pangal, Islam; the hills are predominantly Christian.
Crafts, weaving and livelihoods
- Manipuri handloom: phanek and innaphi in the valley, moirang phee with its distinctive temple-motif border, and the shawls of the Tangkhul and Kuki-Zo communities.
- Kauna water-reed craft from the wetlands around Loktak — mats, bags and cushions, now a significant rural industry.
- Longpi black pottery from the Tangkhul village of Longpi, hand-built from serpentinite and weathered rock without a wheel.
- Ras Lila and Pung Cholom performance traditions, and Thang-Ta, the Meitei martial art of sword and spear.
Community festivals of Manipur
November
Sangai Festival
Meitei & hill tribes · Imphal
April/May
Lai Haraoba
Meitei · Meitei villages across Imphal Valley
February/March
Yaoshang
Meitei · Statewide (Imphal, Bishnupur, Thoubal)
October/November
Ningol Chakouba
Meitei · Meitei households across the Imphal Valley
April
Meitei Cheiraoba
Meitei · Cheirao Ching & Meitei villages, Imphal Valley
Etiquette and responsible photography
- Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit for Manipur under the current Protected Area Regime; Indian nationals do not need an Inner Line Permit for the state.
- Because of the ongoing situation, check current district-level advice before travelling and do not plan movement between hill and valley districts without local guidance.
- Lai Haraoba is a religious rite conducted by maibas and maibis, not a performance. Watch from the public area and ask before photographing.
- Avoid discussing community classification and ethnic politics casually in mixed company; it is a matter of daily consequence for people here.
Frequently asked questions
- Are the Meitei a Scheduled Tribe?
- No. The Meitei are the majority ethnic community of the Imphal valley and are not classified as a Scheduled Tribe under the current official list. The question of Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei has been the subject of litigation and public dispute, and no such classification is in force.
- Which tribes live in the hills of Manipur?
- The hill districts are home to Naga communities such as the Tangkhul, Mao, Poumai, Maram and Rongmei, and to Kuki-Zo communities including the Thadou, Paite, Hmar, Vaiphei, Zou and Gangte. All are recognised Scheduled Tribes.
- Is it safe to travel in Manipur at the moment?
- Conditions have varied considerably since 2023 and differ from district to district. We do not currently run scheduled journeys in Manipur and would only plan travel there on the basis of current local advice at the time of the trip.
- Do foreign nationals need a permit for Manipur?
- Yes. Manipur is currently under the Protected Area Regime, so foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit.