Maram (Naga tribe)
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| maram,senapati district, Manipur, India | 10,911 (1988).37,300(2011)Directorate for Tribals and Backward Classes, Imphal |
| Languages | |
| Maram language | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity Animism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Naga tribes | |
The Marams are tribals of northeast India, inhabiting Senapati district of the tiny state of Manipur. They belong to the ethnic group of people called the Nagas. They are the only Nagas who did not consume pork in the past; today, with the advent of Christianity, the Maram Nagas have started changing their food habits and now almost 99% of the maram people consume pork. The Marams (or Maram Nagas) are a people known for their rich cultural heritage. There are more than thirty Maram villages scattered in the geographical expanse generally known as the Maram Area. As per Census 2001, the Maram Nagas number about 37,340 in total (Manorama Yearbook 2012, p. 576). According to UNESCO database on endangered languages, the number of speakers is 37,000 (based on India Census 2001). These figures, however, need further corroboration.
The neighbours of the Maram Nagas are other Naga tribes: to the North are the Angamis Nagas and Mao Nagas; to the east are Poumai Nagas; to the South are the Thangal Nagas; to the South West are Zeliangrong Nagas (Liangmai); and to the West are Zeliangrong Nagas (Zeme).
Maram girls dressed up for “Mangkang” festival The people speak the Maram language. There are some variations in the way the language is spoken; this corresponds with geographical contiguity.
For the sake of convenience and simplicity, they may be classified into five groups: those of Maram Khullen and its neighbouring villages; those of Willong and its surrounding villages; Villages in an around Tahamzam (Senapati); Tumuyon Khullen; and Ngatan villages.
Under the UNESCO’s classification of ‘degree of endangerment’ of languages, Maram has been put in the category of ‘vulnerable’; it means that “most children speak the language, but it may be restricted to certain domains (e.g., home)”. So, it is not that bad if one were to look at it in terms of the spectrum of degree of endangerment which ranges from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘extinct’. If a language were to be categorized as ‘extinct’, it simply means that “there are no speakers left”. True, the Maram language is not in immediate danger of extinction, but if the current neglect continues it might not be long before alarm bells start ringing.
Maram Khullen (also called Maramei Namdi) is the biggest and oldest Maram Naga village. The quintessential role of Maramei Namdi as the preserver of the tribe’s culture, social norms and ethos continues to hold sway. It zealously guards the many customs and traditions of the tribe. The people of this village continue to follow the “LUNAR” calendar for its customs and traditions. Willong is another Maram Naga village where, awareness about and practice of, traditional mores and culture is a prominent feature in the lives of the people.
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Wikipedia