Gangte people
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| c. 17,100 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Northeast India, Bangladesh, Burma | |
| Languages | |
| Gangte language | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kuki · Chin · Thadou · Hmar · Mizo · Simte · Vaiphei · Zou · Paite |
Gangte is one of the Mizo tribes of Northeast India with a population of 17,100 (as of 2001[update]), primarily in Manipur's southern district (Churachandpur) and neighbouring States of Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam. Other clans or ethnic people in this group are the Thadou (Kuki people), Hmar,(Mizo), kuki, Simte, Vaiphei, and Zou.
Gangte is also the name of the language spoken by the Gangte people of northeast India, one of the northern Kuki languages of the Tibeto-Burman family.
The Gangtes, like the rest of their brethren (Chin-Kuki-Mizo) traced their origin from Khul, which means 'Cave'. This cave is believed to be in present day China.
Folktales and folk-songs describes places such as Shan, Raken (known as Arakan in Myanmar) etc. which are located in present day Myanmar.
Washed up and over by myriads of interpretations and takes, the genesis of the Gangtes is almost like a well-kept secret bedimmed by theories of grandeur or otherwise. As is wont to any tribal history wanting in documentation, the Gangtes have their chronicle etched in folklores and traditional oral transmissions and legends.
There are two theories regarding the origin of Gangte.
Firstly, the name Gangte derived from a place called "Ganggam" and all the inhabitants were called Gang-te, meaning "from Gang"
Secondly, Gangte is believed to be the name of the ancestor of the Gangtes.
According to one folktale, Gangte/Rangte wandered through the forest with his dog and finally build a village. He had one son named Thanglun, who in turn had 10 (ten) sons. They are the clans of present day Gangte.
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