The Tangkhuls, also known as the Tangkhul Nagas, are a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group living in the Indo–Myanmar border area, occupying the Ukhrul district and Kamjong district in the state of Manipur, and in parts of neighbouring Myanmar. Despite this international border, many Tangkhul have continued to regard themselves as "one nation".[Khamrang, Khayaipam (2000) "The Tangkhul Naga Tribe between Tradition and Modernity" pp. 37–71, page 49, In Frei, Fritz (editor) (2000) Inkulturation zwischen Tradition und Modernität: Kontext, Begriffe, Modelle Freiberg University Press, Freiberg, Switzerland, ] The name "Tangkhul" is originated from the Meitei language words, "Tang" meaning "scarce" and "Khul" meaning "village" respectively.
Relationship with the Meiteis
Haoreima, the
Meitei deities of tragic love and separation, was actually a
deified person of the Tangkhul origin.
She was a daughter of
Khelemba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingdai village, and was married to
Khamlangba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingshong village. Despite marrying Khamlangba, she had a secret love affair with Meitei king
Meidingu Tabungba, also called
Tabung Saphaba (1359-1394 CE).
However, the Meitei king had an untimely death, which shocked Lady Haoreima. Afterwards, she went to the
Kanglei Pungmayol (in modern day
Imphal). Later, she also died, following her lover's path and was eventually venerated as the Meitei goddess of tragic love and separation.
She is also identified as goddess
Ireima, an
incarnation of goddess
Panthoibi of the
Meitei pantheon.
See also
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Bible translations into the languages of Northeast India
Further reading
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Akhui, Z. A. S. (1973) A Short Account of Tangkhul Naga Culture Imphal
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Arokianathan, S. (1987) Tangkhul Naga Grammar Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore, India,
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Horam, Mashangthei (1988) Naga Insurgency: The Last Thirty Years Cosmo Publications, New Delhi,
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Shimray, A. S. W. (2001) History of the Tangkhul Nagas Akansha Pub. House, New Delhi,
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Shongzan, Mayaso (2013) "A Portrait of the Tangkhul Nagas" the Exodus, Ukhrul.
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Josiah Luithui, (2014) "Liberation Theology of the Head-Hunters Tangkhul Naga", TTA, Ukhrul.
Notable people
Notes
External links
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http://www.tangkhul.com
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http://www.ukhrul.nic.in
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http://www.tangkhulnet.tripod.com
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