The Zeliangrong people are one of the major indigenous Naga communities living in the tri-junction of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in India. They are the descendants of Nguiba. The term "Zeliangrong" refers to the Zeme, Liangmai and Rongmei Kindred tribes combined.[1] Earlier, the term also covered the Inpui tribe.[2] The descendants of Hoi of Makuilongdi (Makhel) were divided and were made peripheral appendages to three political entities - Nagaland, Manipur and the Dima Hasao (N.C Hill district) of Assam. The Zeliangrong may be classified as an ethno-cultural entity. The Zeliangrong belong to the larger Southern Mongoloid population and their language belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family of languages.[3]
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Zeliangrong languages | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (majority), Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak, Paupaise and Heraka. | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Naga tribes |
This article possibly contains original research. (January 2024) |
Etymology
editThe ethnonym 'Zeliangrong' is derived from 3 words ZE-LIANG-RONG. ZE from Zeme, LIANG from Liangmai and Rong from Rongmei. It traced back to the three kindred tribes. The three tribes are the Zeme (dwellers of the warmer) or Mejahme (lower region), Liangmai (men of the North) the original Northerner; on the other hand the term Rongmei (people settled in the south) and finally Inpui (Puimei).
The word Zeliangrong was first coined on 15 February 1947 at Keishamthong Imphal.[4] The terminology Zeliangrong was coined in coherence with the solidarity movement after India's independence.
Population
editThe population of Zeliangrong in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland is estimated to be around 4.9 - 5 lakhs, according to the 2011 census data of India. In Nagaland, the Zeme and Liangmai number around 84,877. There are around 186,158 Zeme and Liangmai in Manipur, and 197,908 Rongmei. Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei also live in the Dima Hasao District of Assam and other parts of Assam; their population is thought to be between 50,000 & 60,000.
- Unknown population of 11 villages in Myanmar.
Religion
editWhen it comes to religion, majority of Zeliangrong follow Christianity.
At present, the non-Christian Zeliangrongs follow three faiths, namely the Heraka, Poupei Chapriak (in Assam) and Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (in Manipur), all venerating Tingkao Ragwang (Tingwang in short), the supreme deity of the Zeliangrong pantheon.
Distribution
editThe Zeliangrong have been living in the present location of their land since time immemorial, in a compact and contiguous geographical setting of approximately 12,000 km2 lying between 93 degrees E and 94 degree E longitude and 94.40 degrees and 24 degrees N latitude in N. C Hills of Assam; Peren district of Nagaland; Tamenglong district, Senapati district, Kangvai subdivision of Churachanpur district, Jiribam subdivision of Imphal district, Imphal valley and Cachar district along with various villages and its adjoining slopes in Manipur.
Earlier, Manipur had only 9 districts but, due to administrative changes, it led to the formation of 7 new districts, namely Kamjong, Kakching, Noney, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Pherzawl, and Jiribam.[5]
- 11 Villages in Myanmar .
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ G. K. Ghosh, Shukla Ghosh (1997). Women of Manipur (illustrated ed.). APH. p. 4. ISBN 978-81-7024-897-2.
- ^ Richard Kamei, Manash Firaq Bhattacharjee, and Pradip Phanjoubam. Tribalism Without the Tribes. 8 August 2017.
- ^ "'Salt' of the Soil-The Zeliangrong Story". FOOD FOR THOUGHT. 29 March 2010. Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "Bill 108 of 2011 and need to understand the words Naga Zeliangrong and balkanization". e-pao.net. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
- ^ "7 new districts formed in Manipur amid opposition by Nagas".