Liangmei
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 54,000 approx. | |
| Languages | |
| Lianglad | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity Animism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Naga tribes |
Liangmai tribe of mongoloid race inhabits Nagaland and Manipur states of Northeast India. The area of their domination spreads across Peren district in Nagaland state and Tamenglong, Senapati, Imphal East and Imphal West districts in Manipur. Dominating town of the Liangmais include Tening town, sub-division of Peren district of Nagaland state, and Tamei town, sub-division of Tamenglong district of Manipur state.
It is a community of about one lakh people. Liangmai population in Manipur state is higher than that of Nagaland. No Liangmais in Manipur follow any other religion but Christianity since 2003. Liangmais are obsessed to socializing and are not conservative but broadminded. They are known for excellent hospitality in their homes.
With Football and Volleyball a popular sports nowadays, once upon a time common sports including wrestling, taming of wild bull and climbing up bamboo pole are in the verge of complete extinction. The trend of living at high altitude still continues although some have now moved down to the foothills. The Liangmais, even today enjoy the maximum luxury of nature – pollution free air, spring water, organic food and the blue mountain range that don’t seem to end. Love for music came down from generations and it is skeptical that music would be given a fullstop in generations to come. Openness for pop, jazz, country music and rock are followed by gospel music.
Liangmai, as a separate tribe in Manipur state, was recognized by the Government of India on 22 December 2011.
The Liangmai is one of the tribes of Northeast India, part of the Hamai group in specific and the Nagas in general. Originally, Liangmais are from Mongolian region (Not necessarily from present Mongolia). They began their migration from Mongolia somewhere around 7th century BC, before or during the early construction of Great Wall of China in China-Mongolia borders. However, there was no written source to prove their dispersions, movements, and journey from Mongolia. One has to completely base on oral tradition to re-construct their history. It is believed that there were different waves of migration from Mongolia and spanning hundreds of years. After their dispersions from Mongolia, different groups moved into different directions, settled in one areas or another for long years before their next moved. Some of them reached the South-eastern Asian regions which are near the seas, some into different southern islands, some groups to Burma, Thailand and India. It is also observed that some groups remained in China heartlands. However, there is no straightforward historical information on the dates, places, cultures and other historical aspects that were encountered in their migration processes. The Hamais or the one wave of Nagas journeying through many regions, took hundreds of years and finally reached a place which was named as "Makhel", a historical village in present Senapati District, also considered as one of the abodes of the Nagas. Liangmai like any tribal/indigenous community has rich language and culture. According to Kaikhamang "The Liangmais are the Hamais and Hamais are the Liangmais," because Liangmai dialect was the lingua franca of the Hamais during their historical settlement in Makuilongdi village - which is also known as the "abode" of the Hamai people. Among the past Hamai community, the Liangmais were the leaders - the heir of the Hamai ruler. It is because of this, the Liangmai dialect is known as chara lad (means God's language) among the people of Hamai. There is still a living community among the Hamais that uphold this traditional view by making use of Liangmai language in religious rituals, rites and other religious activities (songs, chanting, poems) even though some of them do not literally know the language. When it comes to tracing the origin of the Liangmai/Hamai, it is always difficult. One has to depend sole on the oral tradition as the only source in examining their history. On the other hand, oral tradition is a living and dynamic source for the Liangmais to trace back their origin, their migration, their present settlement and even their history, socio-polity, economy, religious-culture, tradition and worldview. We will begin with the Liangmais from pre-historical origin to their arrival at Makhel and Makuilongdi.
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