Rongmei Naga

Rongmei Naga Total population Approx. 190,000 Languages Rongmei language (Tibeto-Burman), Songbu dialect Religion Christianity (82.76%), Unknown (1.44%), Indigenous Faith (TRC) (15.80%)[citation needed] Related ethnic groups Other Naga people

The Rongmeis are a major Naga tribe indigenous to Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in the North-East ruled tribe under the Constitution of India. Like any other Naga tribe, Rongmei have its own rich culture, customs and tradition. The Gaan-Ngai festival (Post Harvest festival) is celebrated annually between December–January. They are well-known for their most colorful dances among the Nagas.

The ancestral home of the Rongmei Naga lies in the mountain ranges of Tamenglong and adjacent mountainous areas of Peren and Haflong. The Rongmei settlement is the southern portion of the vast tract of Zeliangrong Naga region and hence those settling in the southern part of Manipur call themselves Rongmei which etymologically is "Ruangmei", the southerners. The Rongmei territory was conquered by the British in the nineteenth century. Under the leadership of Haipou Jadonang and his successor Rani Gaidinliu, they rebelled against the British rule in the 1930s. This rebellion against the foreign invasion gave birth to the idea of 'Naga Raj' among the Nagas. Till date these two gigantic figures stands tall to prove the importance of Rongmei Naga tribe in the Naga family and will be throughout the sands of time.

The traditional religion of Rongmeis is known as Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (TRC) or Pou-Pei chapriak (Indigenous Faith). When the Christian missionaries arrived, a majority of the Rongmeis got converted to Christianity. However, some of the Rongmei people still follow the ancient traditional practices (TingKao Ragwang Chapriak).Conversion from Rongmei traditional religion to Christianity was a tough call earlier. Change of faith in a typical traditional Rongmei village can involve excommunication from the village along with payment of penalty in cash or kind by the converted person or family.

The economy of the Rongmei is agrarian in nature. Agriculture is the main source of livelihood for the people. Jhum cultivation is practiced in a great way. Greatly skilled in bamboo, wood, blacksmith and pottery works where Bamboo baskets, mats, shields etc. are manufactured in abundance.

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