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{{See also|Meitei confederacy}}
[[File:Classical_Meitei_language_names_of_the_7_holy_clans_(Yek_Salai_Taret)_of_ancient_Meitei_ethnicity_(Meetei_race)_of_Kangleipak_civilisation_(early_Manipur),_in_the_traditional_Meetei_Mayek_script,_in_their_respective_7_sacred_colors.jpg|thumb|300x300px|[[Classical Meitei language]] names of the 7 groups of Meitei race of [[Kangleipak]] in their respective 7 sacred colors]]
The Meitei community in Manipur was formerly divided into seven distinct clans. Every clan possessed its own lineage and collectively was referred to as a [[Yek Salai]].{{efn|"Yek" (ꯌꯦꯛ) means "lineage"; "Salai" (ꯁꯂꯥꯢ) means "clan"; and "Taret" (ꯇꯔꯦꯠ) means "seven"}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=The People - Manipur Science and Technology Council (MASTEC) |url=https://mastec.nic.in/index.php/the-people.html |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=mastec.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Evolution of Meitei Society |url=https://www.ijaresm.com/evolution-of-meitei-society |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=www.ijaresm.com |quote=The confederacy was formed by the union of seven clans viz; Ningthouja, Angom, Khuman, Luwang, Kha-nganba, Moirang and Sarang-Leishanthem...}}</ref> Each Yek Salai can trace its origins back to an ancient semi-mythical or a royal leader. The Yek Salais constitute the socio-political basis of [[Ancient Kangleipak]] and still shape Meitei identity and heritage. These Yek Salais form the social and political foundation of Ancient Kangleipak and continue to influence Meitei identity and culture in the present day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Evolution of Meitei Society |url=https://www.ijaresm.com/evolution-of-meitei-society |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.ijaresm.com}}</ref>

All seven sub-ethnic clans are thought to have descended from the same divine ancestor, the god [[Pakhangba]], according to mythological, religious, and traditional narratives.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Manipuri Lais |url=http://manipuri.itgo.com/the_lais.html#pakhangba |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=manipuri.itgo.com}}</ref>

These seven Meitei subgroups, nonetheless, were historically distinct ethnic groups with varied origins. Despite this, they shared a common language, although there were dialectal differences, a shared religion with different sects, and a collective homeland known as Kangleipak.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Origin of the Meiteis 2 |url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.Origin_of_the_Meiteis_2 |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

On a brief note, not every people from each clan descends from the clan's common ancestors. An ancestor of a clan means the founder of the main lineage of the clan.<ref name="komal EB1911">{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Clan|volume=6|pages=419–421}}</ref>

== Mangang (Ningthouja) ==
The first ever recorded [[Ningthouja]] ([[Mangang]]) ruler was [[Nongda Lairen Pakhangba]], who was also the first historically attested king of unified [[Kangleipak]]. Even though every [[Mangang]] today may have not descended from (Nongda Lairen) Pakhangba, he stands as the common ancestor of the clan.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Moirangthem Kirti |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LVpuAAAAMAAJ |title=Recent Researches in Oriental Indological Studies: Including Meiteilogy |date=1998 |publisher=Parimal Publications |pages=64 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Neelbir |first=Sairem |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466642/page/n140/mode/1up |title=Erat Thouram Thounirol Lairik |date=2004 |publisher=Internet Archive; Digital Library of India |location=India |pages=140 |language=mni}}</ref>

The Mangang as given the name, was previously composed of two groups—Mangang and Ningthouja— These two groups settled in different parts of Manipur:

* [[Mangang (ancient tribe)|Mangang]]: They settled in the Loiching Phouoiching region of the Koubru-Laimaton range, and also in four other places, i.e, Langpachak, Wangon, Oksang, and Thiba.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-CzSQKVmveUC |title=Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization |date=1988 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-853-2 |pages=406 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ningthouja]]: They established their throne at Kangla and lived in the valley regions.<ref name="Sanajaoba 1988 4">{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-CzSQKVmveUC&dq=nongda+lairen+pakhangba&pg=PA4 |title=Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization |date=1988 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-853-2 |pages=4 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Noni |first1=Arambam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OzjbCgAAQBAJ&dq=nongda+lairen+pakhangba&pg=PA231 |title=Colonialism and Resistance: Society and State in Manipur |last2=Sanatomba |first2=Kangujam |date=2015-10-16 |publisher=[[Routledge]] |isbn=978-1-317-27066-9 |pages=231-232 |language=en}}</ref> Their sphere of influence was also Kanglei Lammahan, which included four villages: Khwai, Yaiskul, Khurai, and Wangkhei.<ref name=":0" />

However, in the 7th century, the Mangang tribes were defeated and merged into the Ningthouja polity during the reign of King [[Naothingkhong]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=manipur channel >>History of Manipur ~ E-Pao! News About Manipur |url=https://e-pao.net/epPrinter.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.The_Evolution_of_The_Meetei_State_By_K_Manikchand |access-date=2025-07-08 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite book |url=https://www.ijmra.us/project%20doc/2019/IJRSS_FEBRUARY2019/IJRSSFeb19RajRy.pdf |title=A Glimpse of the State formation of Ancient Manipur |pages=4}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kabui |first=Gangmumei |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6pf_muabVNIC |title=The History of the Zeliangrong Nagas: From Makhel to Rani Gaidinliu |date=2004 |publisher=Spectrum Publications |isbn=978-81-87502-76-0 |pages=48 |language=en}}</ref> According to Wahengbam Ibohal, the Ningthoujas came to be known as Mangangs during the reign of [[Khongtekcha]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Wahengbam Ibohal |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.463276 |title=The History Of Manipur |pages=334}}</ref>

== Luwang-Khuman ==
{{Main|List of Khuman and Luwang common ancestral monarchs}}

The [[Khuman]] and [[Luwang]] clan share a common ancestor called [[Poireiton]]<ref name=":3" /> through his two grandsons, [[Aalong]] and [[Pamingnaba]]. Aalong was elder and founded the [[Khuman dynasty]] meanwhile, the younger Pamingnaba founded the [[Luwang dynasty]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Khelchandra Singh |first=Ningthoukhongjam |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466994 |title=Khuman Kangleirol |date=1980 |pages=1-7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Kullachandra Sharma |first=b |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466468 |title=Khuman Ningthouron Lambuba |date=1998 |pages=1-13}}</ref> The Luwang dynasty maintained political independence until 8th century when they were subdued by the [[Ningthouja dynasty]].{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=174}}

The Khuman dynasty maintained political independence until 14th century when they were subdued by the Meitei king [[Ningthou Kongyamba|Kongyamba]], which resulted in the Khuman kingdom being merged into the [[Ningthouja dynasty]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |url=https://www.ijmra.us/project%20doc/2019/IJRSS_FEBRUARY2019/IJRSSFeb19RajRy.pdf |title=A Glimpse of the State formation of Ancient Manipur |pages=5}}</ref>{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=178}}

However, according to some other historians, the ancestor of Luwang and Khuman was Poireiton and [[Thongaren]] respectively.

== Angom ==
The [[Angom clan]] traces its ancestry to [[Pureiromba]], the founder and the first king of the [[Angom dynasty]].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Manipur_Past_and_Present/-CzSQKVmveUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Pureiromba+Angom&pg=PA10&printsec=frontcover |title=Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization |date=1988 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-853-2 |language=en}}</ref> They firstly lived at [[Kongba Maru]] and later lived with the [[Ningthouja|Ningthoujas]]. They later fled to Kontha and a section of the clan moved to [[Nongmaiching Ching]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last=DEVI |first=KSH CHITRABHANU |date=2024-01-06 |title=Introducing a Holistic Approach to Preserve Kongba River of Manipur Will Enhance its Religious and Cultural Values » Imphal Review of Arts and Politics |url=https://imphalreviews.in/introducing-a-holistic-approach-to-preserve-kongba-river-of-manipur-will-enhance-its-religious-and-cultural-values/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=imphalreviews.in |language=en-GB}}</ref> The capital of the Angom clan was at Kongba.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Manipur_Past_and_Present/-CzSQKVmveUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=kongba+angom&pg=PA10&printsec=frontcover |title=Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization |date=1988 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-853-2 |language=en}}</ref>

Pureiromba was a senior contemporary of the Meitei king [[Nongda Lairen Pakhangba]].{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=96}}

== Moirang ==
The [[Moilang|Moirang]] clan traces its ancestry to Ngangningsing Atengba, and Nganghunthok.<ref name=":3" /> They were the sons of the same mother but different fathers.{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=179}} As per the [[Moirang Ningthourol Lambuba|Moirang Ningthourol]], Ngangningsing is listed as the first [[List of rulers of Moirang|king of Moirang]], while his elder brother, Nganghunthok ruled at [[Mount Koubru|Koubru]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=History of Moirang Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 5 |url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.History_of_Moirang_Moirang_and_Ebuthou_Thangjing_Part_5&simple=True |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

Ngangningsing and Nganghunthok were the sons of Leinung Ngangsabi, the daughter of Nganba Khamchingkon Haiheiba (Urenhanba). According to Indramani, Ngangningsing was the progenitor of ''Moirang Ariba'' (old), while Nganghunthok was the progenitor of ''Moirang Anouba'' (new).{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=179}}

== Khaba-Nganba ==
The [[Kha-Nganpa|Khaba-Nganba]] clan was originally two separate clans, Khaba, and Nganba. The Khabas were once powerful group, having ruled [[Kangla]] before the ascension of Meitei king [[Nongda Lairen Pakhangba]] although they had already declined.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Session |first=North East India History Association |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aC9uAAAAMAAJ |title=Proceedings of North East India History Association |date=1988 |publisher=The Association |pages=35, 38-39 |language=en}}</ref> According to Hareshwar Goshwami, as well as the ancient Meitei text [[Chengleiron]], Nongda Lairen Pakhangba subjugated the powers of ''Sorarel Ariba Ahum'', who were the chiefs of three clans, viz. [[Salai Leishangthem|Chengleis]], [[Luwang|Luwangs]] and [[Kha Nganpa|Nganbas]].{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=84-85}} After Nongda Lairen Pakhangba became king, the Khaba and Nganba clan lost its independence.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Dr Th Suresh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kbu_AwAAQBAJ&dq=nongda+lairen+pakhangba&pg=PA28 |title=The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India |date=2014-06-02 |publisher=Quills Ink |isbn=978-93-84318-00-0 |pages=28 |language=en |quote=Quoting 'Pakhangba Laihui, “Panthoibi Khongul” etc., scholar Khelchandra stated in his article "Sources of the History of Manipur" at page 37 stated that the Khaba dynasty ruled in Manipur before 1st Century AD before Nongda-Lairen Pakhangba, the 1st recognized King of Kangla, ascended the throne in 33 AD.}}</ref><ref name="Tarapot 2003 92">{{Cite book |last=Tarapot |first=Phanjoubam |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FsUJ0E3BXkMC&dq=nongda+lairen+pakhangba&pg=PA92 |title=Bleeding Manipur |date=2003 |publisher=Har-Anand Publications |isbn=978-81-241-0902-1 |pages=92 |language=en}}</ref>

According to Irom Amubi Singh, King [[Naokhamba]], having learnt that Khabas were the enemies of his forefather, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, decided to kill all the Khabas. The Khabas then scattered in different places and merged into other tribes.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Sanjenbam Jugeshwor |date=2023-06-29 |title=Relation between Meitei and other Ethnic Communities of Manipur as per old Books |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/articles/relation-between-meitei-and-other-ethnic-communities-of-manipur-as-per-old-books/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=News from Manipur - Imphal Times |language=en-US}}</ref> So, the ancestor of Khaba-Nganba clan is taken as Nganba Khamchingkon.<ref name=":3" />

According to some scholars, Khaba and Nganba descended from the Supreme God.<ref name=":6" /> It seems that during the time of Khaba Tulumba and Nganba Khamchingkon, the merger of the two groups took place.{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=165}}

== Sarang-Leishangthem (Chenglei) ==
The founder and first king of the [[Chenglei]] clan was [[Nungou Yumthangba]]. His elder brother, Lamlekshang became went up to the hills and became Kabui.{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=163, 233}}<ref name=":22">{{Cite book |last=Hemchandra |first=Chanam |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466076 |title=Leithak Leikharol |date=2010 |publisher=Digital Library of India |pages=106, 130 |via=Archive.org}}</ref> Nungou Yumthangba's younger brother, Lokpa (Thengkoipa) founded the Haorok-Konthou lineage.{{Sfnp|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019|p=163, 233}}<ref name=":8" />

== See also ==

* [[Mangang Luwang Khuman]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==

* {{Cite book |last=Goshwami |first=Hareshwar |url=https://archive.org/details/hareshwar-goshwami-history-of-the-people-of-manipur |title=History of the People of Manipur |date=2019 |publisher=Yaol Publishing Limited |isbn=978-1-9993057-0-3 |edition=2nd |location=London |ref={{SfnRef|Goshwami, History of the People of Manipur|2019}} |via=Archive.org}}

[[Category:Meitei people]]
[[Category:History of Manipur]]

Ancestors of Meitei confederacy - Revision history

StevieJ461261267: added a entry