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{{short description|Ethnic group of Manipur, India}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Meitei people
| group            = Meitei people
| image           = Meitei Hindu Bride Attire.jpg
| native_name      = [[File:Meitei transliteration of the term "Meitei".jpg|50px|]]
| caption         =  
| native_name_lang = mni
| total            = 1,800,000+
| flag = Flag of Kangleipak.svg
| image =  
{{image array|perrow=3|width=100|height=100
| image1          = Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Goswami Maharaja (Srila Sripad Maharaja also known as Dr. T. D. Singh, Founding Director, Bhaktivedanta Institute).jpg
| caption1        = [[Bhaktisvarupa Damodar Swami]]
| image2          = Saikhom Mirabai Chanu.jpg
| caption2        = [[Saikhom Mirabai Chanu]]
| image3          = Licypriya.jpg
| caption3        = [[Licypriya Kangujam]]
| image4          = Ching-Thang Khomba 2000 stamp of India.jpg
| caption4        = [[Rajarshi Bhagyachandra]]
| image5          = Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship to Shri Heisnam Kanhailal, at the investiture ceremony of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards-2011, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.jpg
| caption5        = [[Heisnam Kanhailal]]
| image6          = Bombayla Devi Laishram.jpg
| caption6        = [[Bombayla Devi Laishram]]
| image7          = Hijam Irabot 1998 stamp of India.jpg
| caption7        = [[Hijam Irabot]]
| image8          = Irom sharmila at calicut.jpg
| caption8        = [[Irom Chanu Sharmila]]
| image9          = The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Arjuna Award, 2017 to Ms. Oinam Bembem Devi for Football, in a glittering ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on August 29, 2017.jpg
| caption9        = [[Oinam Bembem Devi]]
| image10          = Renedy Singh.jpg
| caption10        = [[Potsangbam Renedy Singh]]
| image11          = Robert Naorem (2017).jpg
| caption11        = [[Robert Naorem]]
| image12          = Raj kumar Singhajit Singh.jpg
| caption12        = [[Rajkumar Singhajit Singh]]
| caption = Some notable Meitei people
}}
| total            = 1,800,000+<ref name="Ethnologue"/>
| total_year      = 2011
| total_year      = 2011
| region1          = {{IND}}
| region1          = {{IND}}
| pop1            = 1,760,913<ref>{{cite web |title=Languages Specified in the Eight Schedule (Scheduled Languages) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020|quote=Listed as Manipuri in the 2011 Indian census}}</ref>
| pop1            = 1,760,913<ref>{{cite web |title=Languages Specified in the Eight Schedule (Scheduled Languages) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020|quote=Listed as Manipuri in the 2011 Indian census}}</ref>
| region2          = {{nbsp|10}}[[Manipur]]
| region2          = {{nbsp|10}}   [[Manipur]]
| pop2            = 1,522,132<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Manipur |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1400.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| pop2            = 1,522,132<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Manipur |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1400.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| region3          = {{nbsp|10}}[[Assam]]
| region3          = {{nbsp|10}}  
[[Assam]]
| pop3            = 168,127<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| pop3            = 168,127<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| region4          = {{nbsp|10}}[[Tripura]]
| region4          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Tripura]]
| pop4            = 23,779<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Tripura |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1600.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| pop4            = 23,779<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Tripura |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1600.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| region5          = {{nbsp|10}}[[Nagaland]]
| region5          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Nagaland]]
| pop5            = 9,511<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Nagaland |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1300.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| pop5            = 9,511<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Nagaland |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1300.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| region6          = {{nbsp|10}}[[Meghalaya]]
| region6          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Meghalaya]]
| pop6            = 4,451<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Meghalaya |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1700.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| pop6            = 4,451<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Meghalaya |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1700.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| region7          = {{nbsp|10}}[[Arunachal Pradesh]]
| region7          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Arunachal Pradesh]]
| pop7            = 2,835<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Arunachal Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1200.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref>
| pop7            = 2,835<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Arunachal Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1200.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=9 January 2021}}</ref>
| region8          = {{nbsp|10}}[[Mizoram]]
| region8          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Mizoram]]
| pop8            = 2,242<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Mizoram |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1500.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| pop8            = 2,242<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue - Mizoram |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1500.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020}}</ref>
| region9          = {{flag|Myanmar}}
| region9          = {{flag|Myanmar}}
| pop9            = 25,000
| pop9            = 25,000<ref name="TOI"/>
| region10        = {{flag|Bangladesh}}
| region10        = {{flag|Bangladesh}}
| pop10            = 15,000
| pop10            = 15,000<ref name="Ethnologue"/>
| langs            = [[Meitei language|Meitei lon]]
| langs            = [[File:Meetei Mayek letter I.svg|20px]] [[Meitei language]] <br /> {{small|(officially known as [[Manipuri language]])}}
| rels            = [[Hinduism]], [[Sanamahism]], [[Christianity]], [[Islam]] and [[Buddhism]]
| rels            = '''Majority''':<br />[[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]]<br />'''Minority''':<br />{{hlist|[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|30px]] [[Sanamahism]], [[File:Christian cross.svg|12px]] [[Christianity]] and [[File:Dharma Wheel.svg|18px]] [[Buddhism]]}}
| related          = [[Naga people|Nagas]], [[Kuki people|Kukis]], [[Zo people|Zomis]], [[Bamar people|Bamar]], [[Shan people|Shan]]
| related          = [[Meitei Pangals]], [[Naga people|Nagas]], [[Kuki people|Kukis]], [[Zo people|Zomis]], [[Bamar people|Bamar]], [[Shan people|Shan]]
}}
}}
{{Meitei people}}
The '''Meitei people''', or '''Meetei people''',<ref name=samson>{{cite journal |last=Samson |first=Kamei |year=2019 |title=Theorising Social Fear in the Context of Collective Actions in Manipur |journal=Journal of Northeast Indian Cultures |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=12–43 |url=http://journals.dbuniversity.ac.in/ojs/index.php/jneic/article/view/606/578 |access-date=26 October 2020}}<br />P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."<br />P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal."</ref> form the largest and dominant [[ethnic group]] of [[Manipur]] in [[Northeast India]]. They speak [[Meitei language]] (officially called [[Manipuri language|Manipuri]]), one of the [[22 official languages of the Indian Republic]] and the sole official language of [[Manipur]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Meitei {{!}} people {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Meitei |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipuri language {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Manipuri-language |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
The Meiteis primarily settled in the [[Imphal Valley]] region in modern-day Manipur, though a sizable population has settled in the other Indian states of [[Assam]], [[Tripura]], [[Nagaland]], [[Meghalaya]], and [[Mizoram]].<ref name="Ethnologue">{{cite web |title=Meitei |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni |website=Ethnologue |access-date=29 September 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Festivals in Meghalaya, Fairs and Festivals of Meghalaya|url=http://www.travelhot.in/TravelExperience/Meghalaya/Festivals_Of_Meghalaya.shtml|website=Travelhot.in|access-date=13 November 2018}}</ref> There is also a notable presence of Meitei in the neighboring countries of [[Myanmar]] and [[Bangladesh]].<ref name="Ethnologue" /><ref name="TOI" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Thokchom |first1=Khelen |title=Myanmar Meiteis in search of roots |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/myanmar-meiteis-in-search-of-roots/cid/586856 |access-date=29 September 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=19 May 2008}}</ref> The Meitei ethnic group represents about 53% of Manipur's population.<ref name="Khomdan Singh Lisam pp 322">Khomdan Singh Lisam, ''Encyclopaedia Of Manipur'', {{ISBN|978-8178358642}}, pp. 322–347</ref>
==Endonyms and exonyms==
The Meitei are known by a number of [[endonym]]s, ''Meitei'', ''Meetei'', ''Meithei'' ([[Meitei language|Meitei]]),<ref name=":4" /> and as well as by numerous [[exonym]]s, such as ''Meckley'',<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Temple|first=RC|date=1894|title=Contributions Towards the History of Anglo: Burmese Words|url=https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:3izSSSpp7WAJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEKCtvgsxH5s:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3B5uaQvRpic0NdRIKMnTNIOZvYQO3&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3B-VM7r10FZcI6fy2HPRzwsapM5wN&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|journal=The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland|pages=152–164}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sanjeev|first=Thingnam|date=2020|title=Surveying and producing the frontier in nineteenth century Manipur: challenges and practices|url=https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:-8gD4cKq6JoJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEKCtvgsxjss:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3lstuSe5saVbdSPKMO-VTY_auj1nB&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3lkgn-Tk-dPbtnIyPNieoVF1p9rpH&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|journal=Asian Ethnicity|volume=21|issue=1|pages=122–136|doi=10.1080/14631369.2019.1585750|s2cid=150642454}}</ref> ''Manipuri'', ''Cassay-Shan'', and ''Kathe'' ([[Burmese language|Burmese]]). {{sfn|Parratt|2005|loc=Vol. 1|pp=24}} The term ''Manipuri'' is widely used, but problematic because of its ambiguous scope: next to being a synonym for ''Meitei''/''Meetei'', it can also refer in a wider sense to the native ethnic groups in the hills of Manipur.<ref name=samson/>
==Origins and history==
{{main|History of Manipur|Meitei literature|Meitei mythology|Meitei folklore}}
The earliest sections of the ''[[Cheitharol Kumbaba]]'', a Meitei chronicle, record the gradual spread of Meitei across Manipur and their assimilation of other clans into a confederacy.{{sfnp|Parratt|2005|pp=4}}{{sfnp|Sebastian|2019|pp=57-58}}
Little documentation exists in the form of written records about Manipuri history concerning the spans between the [[Iron Age]] and the first millennium in Northeast India. The geopolitical history of the region along with the ethno-linguistic background of the inhabitants are largely unknown.{{sfnp|Parratt|2005|pp=2,13}}{{sfnp|Brandt|2017|pp=122}}{{sfnp|Sebastian|2019|pp=55}}
==Language==
{{main|Meitei language|Meitei language movement}}
[[File:Meitei_language_written_in_Meitei_script.svg|thumb|300px|The word "Meitei Lon" (meaning "Meitei language") written in [[Meitei script]]]]
The Meitei people speak the [[Meitei language]] (also known as the [[Manipuri language]]), a [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]] language. Meitei is one of the officially recognized [[languages of India]], and was included in the [[Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India]] in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Eighth_Schedule.pdf|title=Eight Schedule of the Constitution of India|website=Mha.nic.in|access-date=30 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010536/http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Eighth_Schedule.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
There are many [[Meitei language movement]]s, including [[Meitei classical language movement|classical language movement]] (predominantly in [[Manipur]]), [[Meitei associate official language movement|associate official language movement]] (in [[Assam]]), [[Meitei linguistic purism movement|linguistic purism movement]] (predominantly in [[Manipur]]), etc.
Historically and then after a long gap, presently, Meitei was written in an indigenous [[Meitei script|Meitei Mayek]] script.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Meetei Mayek|url=http://tabish.freeshell.org/eeyek/history.html|website=Tabish.freeshell.org|access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref> The script was replaced by an alphabet based on the [[Bengali script]] in the early 18th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.omniglot.com/writing/manipuri.htm|title=Manipuri language and alphabets|website=Omniglot.com|access-date=30 September 2017}}</ref> The Meitei Mayek script has seen a revival in recent decades, and is now seen in street signs, newspapers, literature, and legislative proceeding records.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laithangbam |first1=Iboyaima |title=Banished Manipuri script stages a comeback |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/banished-manipuri-script-stages-a-comeback/article19743482.ece |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=23 September 2017 |language=en-IN}}</ref>
In Assam, Manipuri is taught at the primary level, and at the graduate level in [[Gauhati University]]. It is not, however, an officially recognized language of the state.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Iboyaima|first=Laithangbam|date=27 September 2020|title=Assam to look into demand to include Manipuri in list of associate languages|work=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/minister-to-look-into-demand-to-include-manipuri-in-the-list-of-associate-languages-of-assam/article32707194.ece/amp/|access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> In Bangladesh, Manipuri is generally not spoken and the ethnic Manipuri are educated in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] rather than in their native Manipuri.<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada|date=9 October 2013|title=Bangladesh: Situation and treatment of Hindu Manipuri ethnic minority, including women; ability of women, particularly Manipuri women, to relocate and access housing and employment within Bangladesh (2006-October 2013)|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/542a83614.html|access-date=27 September 2020|website=Refworld}}</ref>
Some of the most notable Meitei historical literary works, written by court scholars, include:
*''[[Cheitharol Kumbaba]]'', the royal chronicle of Meitei kings
*''[[Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]]'', the oldest extant Meitei manuscript, first written in 1400 BCE and rediscovered in 1971
*[[Puya (Meitei texts)]], preserved manuscripts (lit. meaning "accepted by ancestors")
==Calendar==
{{Main|Meitei calendar}}
{{See|Sanamahi creation myth#Seven days of Creation}}
The Meitei follow a traditional calendar called [[Meitei calendar|Maliyafam Palcha Kumsing]], which has 12 months and a 7-day week.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Names of 12 months of Kangleipak concepts and significances|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Discovery_of_Kangleipak.Names_of_12_months_of_Kangleipak_concepts_and_significances|website=e-pao.net|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref>
==Culture==
{{See|Meitei mythology|Meitei folklore|Meitei religion|Meitei literature|Manipuri dance}}
[[File:Lai haraoba.JPG|right|thumb|233x233px|Lai haraoba Dance]]
[[File:Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.jpg|thumb|256x256px|[[Raslila]] in Manipuri Dance style]]
A significant degree of the culture of Manipur can be traced to the Meiteis. Since ancient times the valley region of Manipur was trading crossroads between India and Myanmar and gradually the valley portion of Manipur became the melting pot of Indo-Burmese culture. The famous [[Manipuri dance]] form had its roots from the [[Lai Haraoba]] dance form.
They are also known for their contribution to art, literature and cinema. M K Binodini Devi, Khwairakpam Chaoba Singh, Ratan Thiyam, Aribam Syam Sharma, [[Rajkumar Shitaljit Singh]], Elangbam Nilakanta Singh, Heisnam Kanhailal and Sabitri Heisnam are some of the prominent personalities in the field.
The Meitei people are very fond of horse riding.
===Art===
The Manipuri [[martial art]] ''[[Huyen langlon|Thang-ta]]'' is a combative sport which had its origin from the Meitei knights during the kings rule. It involves various fighting techniques with swords and spears.
===Theatre and cinema===
{{Main|Cinema of Manipur}}
The first Manipuri film, ''[[Matamgi Manipur]]'', was released on 9 April 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kanglafilms.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:manipuri-cinema&catid=1:content|title=Manipuri Cinema|work=kanglafilms.com|access-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222102333/http://www.kanglafilms.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:manipuri-cinema&catid=1:content|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Paokhum Ama (1983) is the first full-length '''colour feature film''' (according to the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|Academy's]] definition of a feature film)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/91aa_rules.pdf|title=91st Academy Awards Rules|website=The Oscars|access-date=4 November 2019}}</ref> of Manipur and was directed by [[Aribam Syam Sharma]]. ''Lammei'' (2002) is the first Manipuri Video film to have a commercial screening at a theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/shes-got-the-look-3/|title=From Manipur, stories of the women actors who didn't get to play Mary Kom|date=17 August 2014|work=The Indian Express}}</ref> As the production of video films gained momentum, the Manipur film industry got expanded and around 40–50 films are made each year.
=== Religion and festivals ===
{{See|Sanamahism|Sanamahi creation myth}}
According to the 2011 census, Meiteis follow only two religions, with overwhelming majority of Meiteis practicing variants of [[Hinduism]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2023}} Around 16% of Meiteis traditionally believe in [[Sanamahism|Sanamahi]] religion named after god Sanamahi. Meiteis follow both [[Hinduism]] as well as [[Sanamahism|Sanamahi]] religious traditions and rituals. For example, they worship Sanamahi in the south-west corners of their homes.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Inclusion of Sanamahi religion in minority is being reviewed' : 27th aug11 ~ E-Pao! Headlines|url=http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..270811.aug11|website=www.e-pao.net|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> The various types of festivals that are the most significant, and are celebrated with great joy by meiteis are [[Rasalila]], [[Janmastami]], [[Holi]], [[Lai Haraoba]], [[Sajibu Nongma Panba|Cheiraoba]], [[Yaosang]], [[Ratha Yatra|Jagannath Rath Yatra]], [[Holi]], [[Diwali]], [[Ram Navami]] .
===Cuisine===
{{Main article|Manipuri cuisine}}
Rice, vegetables and fish are staple food of the Meiteis, although meat is also consumed but in traditional meitei dishes meat is never used in non-veg dishes. In traditional and cultural gatherings fish, snails, oysters, crabs, eels etc are the only non-veg used and a significant number of meiteis follow it where meat is cooked and eaten outside the house if consumed. Rice is the main carbohydrate source in a Meitei dish served with vegetables, fish, freshwater snails, crabs, oyesters, eels etc. Among the most famous species of fishes Manipuri Sareng ([[Wallago attu]]) or commonly known as Helicopter catfish, Hilsa ([[ilish]] Tenualosa ilisha), freshwater snails ([[pila (gastropod)]]) and edible oyesters are considered a delicacy. The vegetables are either made as stews (Kangsoi) with less oil/no oil used in sauteing, or stir fried directly in oil with various added spices to make an oily spicy side dish (Kanghou). Roasted/Smoked and Sun-dried fish or fried fresh fish is usually added in most of the stews and curry to impart special taste. The vegetables, herbs and fruits consumed in the region are more similar to those in Southeast/East/Central Asian, Siberian, Arctic, Polynesian and Micronesian cuisines such as Myanmar, Thailand, Inuit, etc. E.g. treebean (yongchak), galangal (loklei), culantro (awa phadigom), lime basil (mayangton), fishwort (tokningkhok) and many others, which are not cultivated in northern India. One of the most important ingredients in Meitei cooking is Ngari (fermented fish). Roasted ngari is used in the [[singju]] (a kind of salad), morok metpa (chilli chutney), iromba (boiled and mashed veggies with chillies). A variety of fermented bamboo shoots (soibum) as well as fresh bamboo shoots (Ushoi/Shoidon), and fermented soya beans (hawaijaar) also form an important part of Meitei cuisines. All meals are served with some fresh aromatic herbs on the side.
A typical every day Meitei meal will have rice, vegetable or fish curry, a piquant side dish (either morok metpa or iromba accompanied with herbs), a champhut (a steamed/boiled vegetable with little sugar, e.g., carrot, pumpkin or cucumber slices or steamed/boiled mustard green stems, etc without sugar), and a Kanghou. Meat cuisines are also popular amongst the Meiteis and some of the common meat curries are Yen Thongba (Chicken Curry) and Nganu Thongba (Duck Curry) and depending on regions Oak Thongba(Pork curry) and Shan Thongba(Beef curry).
=== Subsistence ===
The Meitei are mainly agriculturists in which rice is a staple crop. However, they also grow mangoes, lemons, pineapples, oranges, guavas, and other fruits. Fishing is also common among the Meitei that can either be a profession or a hobby. Women tend to dominate the local markets as sellers of food items, textiles, and traditional clothing.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Human: The Definitive Visual Guide|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2004|isbn=0-7566-0520-2|editor-last=Winston|editor-first=Robert|location=New York|pages=441}}</ref>
===Sports===
{{unreferenced section|date=August 2018}}
Traditional Meitei sports are still in existence, with some even spreading throughout the world.
Some sports are worth mentioned as follows:
*[[Sagol Kangjei]]: It is the earliest form of modern-day [[Polo]] which traces its origin to [[Manipur]]. According to [[Guinness World Records]] (1992), " Polo can be traced to origins in Manipur state, India, C. 3100 CE when it was played as 'Sagol Kangjei{{'"}}.
*[[Mukna Kang-jei]]: It is a form of Meitei [[Wrestling]]. It is considered to be the most masculine form of sports.
*[[Huyen langlon]]: Huyen langlon is a martial art from Manipur. In the Manipuri language, huyen means war while langlon or langlong can mean net, knowledge or art. Huyen langlon consists of two main components: thang-ta (armed combat) and sarit sarak (unarmed fighting). 
*[[Khong kangjei]]: It is a form of Meitei [[Hockey]].
*Kang Sanaba
*[[Mukna Kangjei]]
*Oolaobi (Woo-Laobi)
*[[Arambai|Arambai Hunba]] (throwing dart weapon)
They introduced polo to the west when the British came to Manipur valley during the kings rule. It is locally called Sagol Kangjei. It is believed that the game was played by the Gods of Meiteis as a practice of warfare.
[[Mukna]] a unique form of wrestling popular amongst the Meiteis.
[[Yubi lakpi]] is a traditional full contact game played by Meiteis using a coconut, which has some notable similarities to rugby. Yubi lakpi literally means "coconut snatching". The coconut is greased to make it slippery. There are rules of the game, as with all Manipur sports. It is played on the lush green turf. Each side has 7 players in a field with about 45x18 meters in area. The goal post is 4.5x3 meters box in the central portion of the goal line. The coconut serves the purpose of a ball and is offered to the king, the chief guest or the judges before the game begins. The aim is to run while carrying the greased coconut and physically cross over the goal line, while the other team tackles and blocks any such attempt as well as tries to grab the coconut and score on its own.
Heeyang Tanaba (Hi Yangba Tanaba) is a traditional boat rowing race and festivity of the Panas.
== Diaspora ==
=== Myanmar (Burma) ===
[[File:Manipuri horseman.jpg|thumb|An 1855 watercolour of a ''Kathe'' horseman in the Burmese royal service]]
Myanmar is home to a sizable community of Meiteis, who are called ''Kathe'' in Burmese.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Nongthombam |first=Jiten |date=1 July 2011 |title=The Meitei Diaspora in Myanmar |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09739572.2011.10597359 |journal=Diaspora Studies |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=155–167 |doi=10.1080/09739572.2011.10597359 |doi-broken-date=31 December 2022 |issn=0973-9572}}</ref> Unlike other Hindu communities in Myanmar, the Meitei resemble other Burmese ethnic groups in terms of physical appearance, which has accelerated their assimilation and integration into Burmese society.<ref name=":1" /> In the early 1950s, Burmese Meiteis numbered approximately 40,000, with a third of them residing in [[Mandalay]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Sanajaoba|first=Naorem|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> Current estimates are approximately 25,000.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite web|title=Manipuris in Mandalay see ray of hope in Modi|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Manipuris-in-Mandalay-see-ray-of-hope-in-Modi/articleshow/48059811.cms|last1=Sunil|first1=Oinam|date=14 July 2015|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> Meiteis have resettled throughout the country, including in villages near [[Myitkyina]] to the north, [[Homalin]], [[Kalewa]], [[Pyay]], in the center of the country, and [[Yangon]] to the south.<ref name=":3" /> They continue to practice [[Hinduism]] in Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 June 2019|title=စစ်ကိုင်းမြို့တွင် ကသည်းမယ်တော်ကြီးချိုးရေတော်သုံးပွဲကျင်းပ|work=Eleven Broadcasting|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHz1Rwro6Yo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/vHz1Rwro6Yo |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|trans-title=Three festivals of Kathe Maedaw Gyi Cho Ye Taw held in Sagaing}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
As a result of wars between Meitei kingdom and the [[Konbaung dynasty]] between the 17th and 18th centuries, many Meiteis were resettled in the Burmese kingdom.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Oinam|first=Bhagat|date=2005|editor-last=Murayama|editor-first=Mayumi|title=Manipur|url=https://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Jrp/133.html|journal=Sub-Regional Relations in the Eastern South Asia: With Special Focus on India's North Eastern Region|volume=133}}</ref> Some Meitei settlements in modern-day Myanmar originate from the 1758–1759 war, and from the Burmese occupation of Manipur from 1819 to 1826..<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> [[Alaungpaya]], during the former campaign, resettled Meiteis in [[Sagaing]] and [[Amarapura]].<ref name=":3" /> The Meitei people's horsemanship skills were employed in the Burmese royal army, where they formed the elite Cassay cavalry (ကသည်းမြင်းတပ်) and artillery regiments (ကသည်းအမြောက်တပ်) which were employed during the [[Burmese–Siamese wars]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Singha|first=Memchaton|date=2016|title=Marriage Diplomacy Between the States of Manipur and Burma, 18Th to 19Th Centuries|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=77|pages=874–879|issn=2249-1937|jstor=26552717}}</ref> The Burmese court also retained a retinue of [[Manipuri Brahmins]] called Bamons, also called ''Kathe Ponna'' (ကသည်းပုဏ္ဏား) to advise and conduct court rituals.<ref name=":3" />
'''Bangladesh'''


The '''Meitei people''', or '''Manipuri people''',<ref name=samson>{{cite journal |last=Samson |first=Kamei |year=2019 |title=Theorising Social Fear in the Context of Collective Actions in Manipur |journal=Journal of Northeast Indian Cultures |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=12–43 |url=http://journals.dbuniversity.ac.in/ojs/index.php/jneic/article/view/606/578 |access-date=26 October 2020}}<br/>P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."<br/>P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal."</ref> are the predominant ethnic group of the Indian state of [[Manipur]].<ref>https://www.britannica.com/topic/Meitei</ref> There are significant Meitei speaking population in [[Assam]], [[Tripura]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Bangladesh]].<ref>https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/13513/IN</ref><ref>https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni</ref><ref>https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/myanmar-meiteis-in-search-of-roots/cid/586856</ref>
Many Manipuri or Meitei people resides in [[Sylhet Division|Sylhet division]] in north-eastern [[Bangladesh]]


Regarding religious groups, there are [[Meitei Hindus]], [[Sanamahists]], [[Meitei Christians]], [[Meitei Muslims]] and [[Meitei Buddhists]].
== Notable Meiteis ==
{{Main|List of Meitei people}}


==Clans==
==See also==
{{See|Clans of Meitei ethnicity}}
*[[Eromba]]
There are seven main clans in the Meitei ethnicity. These are: [[Mangang]], [[Luwang]], [[Khuman]], [[Kha Nganpa]], [[Angom]], [[Moilang]] and [[Salai Leishangthem]].
*[[Manipuri Brahmin]]
*[[List of Manipuri kings]]
*[[Meira Paibi]]
*[[Ningthouja dynasty]]
*[[Sajibu Nongma Panba]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==Sources==
* {{Cite journal|last=Brandt|first=Carmen|date=5 December 2017|title=Writing off domination: the Chakma and Meitei script movements|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19472498.2017.1411050|journal=South Asian History and Culture|volume=9|pages=116–140|language=en|doi=10.1080/19472498.2017.1411050|s2cid=148911026|issn=1947-2498}}
* {{Cite book|last=Hazarika|first=Manjil|url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780199474660.001.0001/oso-9780199474660|title=Prehistory and Archaeology of Northeast India: Multidisciplinary Investigation in an Archaeological Terra Incognita|date=2017|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/oso/9780199474660.001.0001|isbn=978-0-19-947466-0|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Parratt|first=Saroj Nalini Arambam|title=The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: The Cheitharon Kumpapa : Original Text, Translation, and Notes|date=2005|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-415-34430-1|location=London}}
* {{Cite thesis|last=Sebastian|first=Rodney|title=Cultural Fusion in a Religious Dance Drama: Building the Sacred Body in the Manipuri Rāslīlās|date=2019|publisher=University of Florida|id={{ProQuest|2464172212}}}}
==External links==
*
{{Manipur}}
{{Ethnic groups in Myanmar}}
{{Ethnic groups in Bangladesh}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Meitei People}}
[[Category:Meitei people| ]]
[[Category:Meitei people| ]]
{{asia-stub}}
[[Category:Hindu ethnic groups]]
{{simple-Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Buddhist communities of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Manipur]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Northeast India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in South Asia]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Linguistic groups of the constitutionally recognised official languages of India]]
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