| Group: | Meiteis in Nagaland (Manipuris in Nagaland) |
| Native Name Lang: | mni |
| Flag: | Flag of Kangleipak.svg |
| Flag Caption: | Meitei cultural flag |
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| Languages: | Meitei language and other Indian languages |
| Religions: | Hinduism Sanamahism |
| Related Groups: | other Indian people |
The Meitei people (mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯀꯥꯡꯂꯨꯞ), also called Manipuri people (mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ ꯀꯥꯡꯂꯨꯞ), are one of the minority ethnic groups in Nagaland state.They were living in the region before the formation of the Indian state of "Nagaland".[1]
See main article: History of Manipur.
After losing Meitei influence in the Naga hills for some time due to the Manipuri-Burmese military conflicts, Meitei King Raja Gambhir Singh (mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯒꯝꯚꯤꯔ ꯁꯤꯡꯍ), also known as Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba (mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯆꯤꯡꯂꯦꯟ ꯅꯣꯡꯗ꯭ꯔꯦꯟꯈꯣꯝꯕ), the ruler of Manipur Kingdom conquered the whole Naga Hills with his military power of Manipur Levy. He defeated the Angami Naga tribes of Kohima. To mark his victory over the Naga people, the historic Kohima Stone Inscription (mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯀꯣꯍꯤꯃꯥ ꯈꯨꯠꯏ ꯅꯨꯡꯄꯥꯛ) was erected in 1833 CE as a mark of Meitei conquest and supremacy over the Naga Hills in 1832 CE.[2] [3] [4]
In 1896 CE, James Johnstone noted in his documents that the Meiteis (alias Manipuris) were highly respected and warmly welcomed as special and honoured guests by the Naga people in almost every village, during the time when Britishers couldn't go inside the Naga realm without having the risk of being killed.[5] He also noted that the Meiteis (Manipuris) used to collect tributes from the Naga villages, as a mark of rule over them. In case if a Meitei was attacked or killed by the Nagas, the particular village was immediately attacked and destroyed, besides taking huge taxes for the deed. Many Naga people knew the Meitei language (alias Manipuri language).[6] The Naga villages had both Meitei language as well as their local language names.[7]
Meitei people live in Phom Colony, Y Zhimo Colony, Matha Colony, West Yard Manipuri Colony, Manipuri Colony near Samaan Ghat, Half Nagarjan, Burma Camp, and Ghorapatti villages in Dimapur district of Nagaland.[8]
See main article: Meitei language and Meitei literature.
Historically, most Naga villages had names in both Meitei language (alias Manipuri language) as well as their local languages.[9] Many Naga people knew the Meitei language.[10]
Nagaland's St Joseph University annually organises "Manipuri poetry day" on full-moon day of the lunar month 'Mera' according to the Meitei calendar. The event helps in the development of Meitei language poems, promoting Meitei literature, to a certain extent.[11]
See main article: Meitei culture.
The Meitei people of Nagaland produced a unique "Meetei waistcoat" (mni|{{Script|Mtei|ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯐꯨꯔꯤꯠ) for showing the Meitei ethnic identity, among the rest of the people of the state, in 2022. It was led by the Dimapur Meetei Council.[12]
Meitei people are facing negligence by the Government of Nagaland. They have no land ownership rights. They also face difficulty in getting documents such as OBC, PRC (Permanent Residential Certificate) and domicile certificates. They cannot get state government jobs except for driver and technical posts. They have no alternative except private jobs or doing businesses for their living.[13]
In 2016, there were incidents of banning transportation of vehicles owned by Meiteis (Manipuris) in Nagaland. Regarding this issue, the Manipur State Police DGP talked to the Nagaland State Police DGP to look into the matter. The latter assured that he would take care of it.[14]