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{{Short description|Indigenouse people inhabiting Manipur, North-East India}}{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Short description|Indigenous people inhabiting Manipur, North-East India}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}}
{{Infobox Ethnic group
{{Infobox Ethnic group
|group        = Koireng  
|group        = Koren (Koireng)
Alternative names:<br> Koren
|image        = "Koireng" written in Meitei script.jpg
|caption      = "Koireng" written in [[Meitei script]]
|population  = 2600 (2011 census)
|population  = 2600 (2011 census)
|region1      = {{flag|India}}  
|region1      = {{flag|India}}  
|pop1        =  
|pop1        =  
|ref1        =  
|ref1        =  
|languages    = [[Koireng language|Koren]], [[Meitei language|Manipuri]], English
|languages    = [[Koireng language]] ([[first language|L1]]) <br /> [[Meitei language]] ([[second language|L2]])<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meitei {{!}} Ethnologue |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=[[Ethnologue]] |language=en}}</ref>
|religions    = [[Christianity]]
|religions    = [[File:Christian cross.svg|13px]] [[Christianity]]<ref>{{cite web |title=An Anthropological Study of the Feast of Merit Among the Koireng Tribe, Manipur |url=https://www.ijssr.com/wp-content/uploads/journal/published_paper/volume-2/issue-3/IJSSR30392.pdf |website=ijssr.cpm |access-date=17 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616071244/https://www.ijssr.com/wp-content/uploads/journal/published_paper/volume-2/issue-3/IJSSR30392.pdf |archive-date=16 June 2025}}</ref>
|related      = [[Aimol]], [[Kom (India)|Kom]]
|related      = [[Mizo people|Mizo]], [[Aimol]], [[Kom (India)|Kom]], [[Ranglong]]
|footnotes    =  
|footnotes    =  
}}
}}
The '''Koireng people''' are one of the ethnic groups inhabiting [[Manipur]] in North-East India. They speak the [Koireng language]. They are mentioned in the Meitei royal chronicle [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] in the year 1404, one of the oldest tribes to be so mentioned.<ref>[https://ukhrultimes.com/kuki-research-forum-kurf-on-objective-historical-position-of-the-kukis-in-manipur/ Kuki Research Forum on objective historical position of the Kukis in Manipur], Ukhrul Times, 25 May 2022.</ref> They have a shared common ancestry, history, cultural traits, folklore and dialects with their kindred people like [[Aimol people|Aimol]] and [[Kom people (India)|Kom]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Koireng tribe finally has the New Testament in their heart language |url=https://www.bsind.org/the_koireng_tribe/ |website=bsind.org |access-date=17 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230519180236/https://www.bsind.org/the_koireng_tribe/ |archive-date=19 May 2023}}</ref>
They use [[Meitei language]] as their [[second language]] (L2) according to the [[Ethnologue]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meitei {{!}} Ethnologue |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni/ |access-date=2023-05-03 |website=[[Ethnologue]] |language=en}}</ref>


The '''Koireng People''' are one of the many indigenous peoples inhabiting [[Manipur]] in North-East India. They have a shared common ancestry, history, cultural traits, folklore and dialects with their kindred people like [[Aimol people|Aimol]] and [[Kom people (India)|Kom]].
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


==Origin==
== Bibliography ==
The word 'Koireng', believed to be termed by the Meiteis is, is a corrupt version of the word, ''Kolren'' (''Kol''=east, ''Ren''= people) or 'Koren'. Linguistically, Koireng is classified under the [[Tibeto-Burman]] of the [[Sino-Tibetan languages|Sino-Tibetan]] family of languages. Koirengs are generally short-statured, with straight black hair, dark brown eyes and brown skin. Koireng is a recognized scheduled tribe of India. They have linguistic and cultural affinities with some of their neighbouring kindred people such as the Aimol, the Tikhup, the Purum and the Kharam tribes of Manipur and the Ranglong, Hrangkhol of Tripura and the [[Biate people|Biate]]s.
 
                                                                                                                   
[[File:Dzeite1.JPG|thumb|School children of Longa Koireng Village]]
 
==Culture and tradition==
Koireng women use ornaments with Har (armlet), Yak-serr (armlet), Rikarui (a necklace of red beads).
Koireng men of high social hierarchy decorate themselves with a fur of matured red goat's hair during important festivities. Important dress and customs are:
(i) Puonthal (for males), Puonwom, Murkisen, thaite (turban) and
(ii) Puonhem (for females)-ascribing higher status for being adorn with it. Puonsen, Saipikhup, Lung-um, Puonkok-hoi, Puon-lang, Korr-aam (the latter two clothes are waist belts).
Musical instruments used are Khuong (drum), Roshem (a bagpiper-like musical instrument made of dried reeds and matured hollowed-out gourd), Sekhi (horn), Sum (gong) of various sizes, Serang-dar (a violin-like stringed instrument), etc.
Household implements like spear, dao, guns, [[fishing basket]]s, carrying baskets, hoe, plough, yoke etc. were used.
 
==Religion==
The Koirengs have always believed in the existence of a supreme creator whom they refer to as ''Pathien''. Old pagan rituals are no longer in practice. Today, leaving a few aged individuals, the entire Koireng populace have embraced Christianity.
 
==Economy==
The Koireng economy persists mainly on agriculture which they carry on by both wet method and shifting cultivation. Paddy, potato, ginger, ''yongcha'' ([[Parkia speciosa]]), etc., are some of the main products. Gathering economy and basket products for commercial goods form trade and market. Hunting in the form of sports is persistent during off-seasons in the villages of Thanglong, Utonglok and Sadu (Tungluong).
 
==Koirengs: past and present==
The Koirengs' last major colonial stronghold, as they entered Manipur, was the [[Thangjing Hill]] range overlooking the pristine [[Loktak]] lake. Thangjing is derived from the Koren words, Thang = South, Ching=hill. Their historic dominance of this region was presumably a constant eyesore to the erstwhile kingdom of the [[Moirang]] clan. This proximity led to numerous aggressions. The Koirengs, already weakened after a major infernal disaster, were terribly defeated at the end. They ultimately underwent a diaspora in various parts of Manipur and North-East India. Today, the Koirengs (Korens) are sparsely scattered around the surrounding foothills of the Imphal valley of Manipur, India.
 
                    Tuiruong tiengmo chesik?
                    Tuivai tiengmo chesik?           
                      (Old Koren Saying)
 
==References==
* Shakespear, J. (1909) 'The Kuki–Lushai Clans.' ''The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.'' Vol. 39 (Jul., 1909), pp.&nbsp;371–385
* Shakespear, J. (1909) 'The Kuki–Lushai Clans.' ''The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland.'' Vol. 39 (Jul., 1909), pp.&nbsp;371–385
* https://web.archive.org/web/20131107225208/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf
* https://web.archive.org/web/20131107225208/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf
* http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
* Shakespear, J. (1922) ''Tangkhul Folk Tales and Notes on Some Festivals of the Hill Tribes South of Assam''. 14 pp.
* Shakespear, J. (1922) ''Tangkhul Folk Tales and Notes on Some Festivals of the Hill Tribes South of Assam''. 14 pp.
* McCulloch/ Major W., 'Account of the valley of Munnipore and of the Hill Tribes'. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, No. 27 (Calcutta) 1859
* McCulloch/ Major W., 'Account of the valley of Munnipore and of the Hill Tribes'. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, No. 27 (Calcutta) 1859

Latest revision as of 04:14, 18 March 2026


Koren (Koireng)
"Koireng" written in Meitei script
Total population
2600 (2011 census)
Regions with significant populations
Languages
Koireng language (L1)
Meitei language (L2)[1]
Religion
Christianity[2]
Related ethnic groups
Mizo, Aimol, Kom, Ranglong

The Koireng people are one of the ethnic groups inhabiting Manipur in North-East India. They speak the [Koireng language]. They are mentioned in the Meitei royal chronicle Cheitharol Kumbaba in the year 1404, one of the oldest tribes to be so mentioned.[3] They have a shared common ancestry, history, cultural traits, folklore and dialects with their kindred people like Aimol and Kom.[4] They use Meitei language as their second language (L2) according to the Ethnologue.[5]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Meitei | Ethnologue". Ethnologue. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  2. ↑ "An Anthropological Study of the Feast of Merit Among the Koireng Tribe, Manipur" (PDF). ijssr.cpm. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 June 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  3. ↑ Kuki Research Forum on objective historical position of the Kukis in Manipur, Ukhrul Times, 25 May 2022.
  4. ↑ "The Koireng tribe finally has the New Testament in their heart language". bsind.org. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "Meitei | Ethnologue". Ethnologue. Retrieved 3 May 2023.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

  • Shakespear, J. (1909) 'The Kuki–Lushai Clans.' The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 39 (Jul., 1909), pp. 371–385
  • https://web.archive.org/web/20131107225208/http://censusindia.gov.in/Tables_Published/SCST/ST%20Lists.pdf
  • Shakespear, J. (1922) Tangkhul Folk Tales and Notes on Some Festivals of the Hill Tribes South of Assam. 14 pp.
  • McCulloch/ Major W., 'Account of the valley of Munnipore and of the Hill Tribes'. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, No. 27 (Calcutta) 1859
  • Grierson, G. A. (Ed.) (1904b). Tibeto-Burman Family: Specimens of the Kuki-Chin and Burma Groups, # Volume III Part III of Linguistic Survey of India. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta.
  • Ethnic Races of Manipur

Template:Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes

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