The Maring tribe: History

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Authorship

Text: Maring Uparup Assembly (MUA)

Project coordinators: Parhai Kothil, Pastor Ezekiel Keisha, Khullak Mokhulshim, Larung Koin Dangshawa, Kansam Moran Kleya and Dangsawa Moran Maring.

Photographs: Rashingam Ngoruh and Ramesh Angom.

Design concept: Muidou Makunga

Indpaedia conversion: Parvez Dewan

THE PEOPLE

The Maring Tribe is one of the Oldest Tribes who settled in the South-Eastern part of Nagalim, bordering Myanmar (Erstwhile Burma). In the Indian context, Marings are mostly inhabiting in Chandel District of the present State of Manipur, but also found scattered in other Districts like Senapati, Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Thoubal, Imphal East, and Imphal West, etc. There are many Marings found in the other parts of India and other countries like Bangladesh (i.e. “Morung” tribe) and Myanmar etc, whose appearances are same as Marings and in their ways of living, cultures, traditions and languages similar to Marings. Marings are generous, simple, hygienic, heroic, etc. It is also said that the Maring people were physically tall and strong.

“The features of the Marings (Murrings) approximate to those of the Burmese (Myanmarese); some of them have flat and others have well-shaped noses. And their general expression is mild and intelligent. The height of the men of these tribes (Nagas) varies from the slende, lightly built Marings to the tall, sturdy, finely proportioned Maos.1*

(Dr.R.Brown (Political Agent in Manipur), “ Selections from the Records’ of the Government of India, Foreign Department,” NO.LXXVIII..1870, pp.101 & 125. & T.C.Hodson. “The Naga Tribes of Manipur. “ Low price publications, Ashok Vihar, Phase-IV. Delhi-110052. 1911, reprint-1989, 1996, p.6.)

The Marings have many important peculiarities and distinctiveness from other Naga Tribes and other tribes as well, which could easily distinguish themselves from others. Their distinctiveness and peculiarities may be exemplified by ‘blacken teeth’ which is known as “Hā sáng” in the ancient times as common practices amongst the elderly people and the youths after they have been enrolled in the Morung or Rkhāng. But after the dawn of Christianity and Modern Educational lights, the Maring people, both youngsters and the elderly ones don’t follow these practices and at present it is almost disappeared in the Maring society. But ‘knotted-hairs’ (Pagri/Turban/coifer) or Murshum/borshom on the front-side of all the menfolk’s foreheads with several lines of hard, red-bead strings (Rulshum) around their murshum/borshom is common, which gives the peculiarity of the tribe from others such as Hakkas or Laimies (Lais) of the Central District/Hakka or Lai District of Chin State, Myanmar, and the Nagas of Tirap and Changlang Districts of Arunachal Pradesh, India who also have knotted hairs on the foreheads of all menfolk. Marings are also known for their ínnate skills in handicrafts, which are highly appreciated by people in the region till today. They were also feared for their witchcraft and black magic (thui & dui malhet, etc.,) practices which had been considered their Education by the Marings during those early days.

ORIGIN

The Oral legends of the forefathers that have been handing down from generation to generation tells that the Marings were living inside the cave called “Núngmuishor” in Kulvi-Songshong under the rulers of Khopu-Rampu with full civilizations. The rulers were: 1.Charȧng: (Purangmei/ Rangmeithil), 2. Dāngshā: (Khalserung), 3. Makung: (Kungkrung) and 4. Tontāng: (Tãngkirung).

The oral legend also says that the life inside the cave or underneath the Earth was terribly difficult and hard. However they could not easily come out of the cave, as there was a big stone called Lúngthûng in local term which means a huge stone gate, sealing the gate of the cave. They tried to open the stone gate using several means and ways like sending pig/hog, cow and buffalo one after another but failed. The legend also says that the flattened nose of the pig/hog and the regular contour marks on buffalo’s horns was marked while trying to push opened the Stone gate (Lúngthûng). At last, after series of consultation among themselves, a male, black with white-spotted Mithun (Shirimpa bungrang) bought from an old woman of Chotte village was sent and the Mithun opened the gate. Thus, the Marings who had been struggling to set free themselves from the terrible and hard life in Nungmuishor (underneath the cave) at last could make it success, and the first human settlement on earth begins there. The legend thus says that Mithun is therefore the only accepted animal for important ritualistic ceremonies like Naming of person (Minphûk-phalphûk), Erection of monument stones (Thil-klai), the erection of ritualistic flower vats and poles (Pār-kyao/halbu-bun), and as Bride Price (nû mȧn thína) in local terms.

SETTLEMENTS

The Legendry Chronicle about the early settlement of the Marings goes further that the Marings after first settled at Kulvi-Shongshong (underneath the earth or Eastland) moved to Washaphai (Tangkhuls were seperated from this place) or Wanshangphai (the empty vast valley). In course of time, the civilization of the people of Marings gradually spreaded along the Ningthee Basin (Inthee), in the Angkoching Range and in the Yoomadung Hills (in Myanmar). Latter on, people took their own choices of direction and traveled looking for their new places for settlement. Thus, forming different nomadic groups or waves, some section of Maring people proceeded towards the place called Mongmi, to Phaikaryam, to Mongrengphai, and to Tapungna in Kamongbung Range and then came to Dolenbung and from there they set up several monoliths/megaliths as signs of settlement which can be seen/found even today in Myanmar. Then, they moved towards Shāngthelbung/Bungkarshāng Range (in Manipur/India), and from there spread to different places and established several villages like Ayong-Atoukhu (Yongkhun/Khulimol) and Sarbu or Saibu or Sarbukhong (Saibol), Sairel-Saishim, Atou, Makan, Chingshao, Kashung, Lamasi or Nambasi (the present name in the Gazetteers of Manipur/India), and Narum or Ralimkhu in Kharou Range, etc.

Some section of the Marings travelled towards Mongrengphai (a place where people lived like a dream or dreamland)/Muirengphai/Murringphy, 3* further proceeded towards the places like Thipamna, Songkan, Khampat, Kameng, Latao, Taap, Lichiek, Mangsa, etc. Later on they moved towards Mongthelbung in Oklebung Range and came towards Bungpui Range (Uipo Boandam) and established a village called “Uipo Yultang” (Khoibu Khunjao* as per Meitei Maharaja Meidingu Koiremba: 1508-1512). *Cheitharol Kumbāba-2005, 3rd Edition, p.22.

3*. Dr.R.Brown: “Report for 1868-69; pp.l18 & 124, and T.C.Hodson: The Nagas of Manipur, 1996; pp.l0, 11 & 15.

Major section of the Maring people travelled and proceeded towards the western side of the Ningthee basin and started settling in the places called Panyangbung, Sekmahbung, Sharchibung, Yanglhungthril (Taraos were seperated from this place), Oklebung, Pānubung, Makoubung, Ramshekbung, Shangthil, Ramshipbung (Rungbung), Yangtompe, Khukyul, Khochep, Khungrul, Yulbung, Shabung, Pungrul (Chippung), and later on came and settled at Tuishimi (Túyni/Túykhni) on the Langkoubung Range (Manipur). The series of villages/settlements mentioned above may not be in proper chronological orders, but these names of settlements are found in the traditional or folk songs of the Maring Naga forefathers.

The oral legendry history of the Maring forefathers and the written history of the Royal Chronicles of Manipur (Cheitharol Kumbāba) also says that some Maring people even travelled towards the Imphal valley and settled at the Langol Hills (north Imphal) before and during the time of Meidingu Ura Konthouba (568--658 A.D.), which is still known as Langol Maring Khunman (i.e.Haokap Chingshāng Khunpham Ngāngcheng), with Meba Laipham (Mebungsui¬Theemkhui, the then Priest or Maiba of that particular sacred place) near Langol Housing complex and Laithungching (which is known as Lanthungching village at present). This was known to be the place where the Marings from that Haokap Chingshāng Khunpham Ngāngcheng village (Langol hills) were cursed by the then Maharaja of Manipur (Meidingu Ura Konthouba). Due to the terrible curse of the Maharaj, they could not settle furthermore in that place and ran for their safety from the terrible curse of the Maharaj that caused pestilence/plague(laithungba) towards the places like “Haobam Marak, Lamlong (lmphal-East), Leishang Kong, a village in the valley some seven or eight miles south of the Capital-Imphal, 4* Soibam Leikai, the place where the Marings of Haobam Marak put the trapes/nets (soi thāba) for fishing at the Soibam lake (Singjamei area), Haokha-Tangjeng (Tongjing) which is also known as Keingam’s Fishing spot/place from where one Keingam Khuiluwa, a fisherman from the Kansou family captured a tiger cubs on that spot, Lulumbung at Wangnoo (Wangoo-at present) in South Moirang and Khambathêl north-east of Sugunu, and at Shamaram south-west of Khongjom Bazaar (which is known as Samran-the first son of the Maring Koijomba’s family). From there the Marings ran back towards the places where they are settling now at present. How Mr. T. C. Hodson writes/describes about the migrations of the tribals (hill tribes like Tangkhuls and the Marings particularly) is true and that goes like this: “They left the valley because of the heat and the mosquitoes made life there impossible, and migrated to the hills, taking with them fire which became extinguished ...”

4* Colonel W.Mc.Culloch: (Political Agent in Manipur), “Account of Valley of Manipore. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, Foreign Department,” No XXVII, 1859, p.65.

5* (T.C.Hodson: The Naga Tribes of Manipur, (Geographical Distribution), 1996, pp.10,1l & 15. * Op.cit. p.10).

This is how the Marings founded their settlements and have been living in their own favourite places and villages since time immemorial. And there are so many Marings that have already converted/proselyted into Meiteis/valley peoples through many conditions and circumstances, like captured as forced labourers by the Meitei Maharajas during their wars & raids on the hill tribes. According to W. Mc. Culloch (1852) - “Tradition brought the Moirang tribe from the South - the direction of the Kukies; the Koomal/Khumans from the East ¬ the direction of the Murrings (Marings), and the Meiteis and Luwangs from the North - the direction of the Koupooes (Kabui.s) towards the present Imphal valley.” 6*

(6*Dr. Lucy Zehol: Ethnicity in Manipur. Published by Regency publication, New Delhi-1998; p.46.)

Etymology

TERMINOLOGY

The term “Maring” is derived from the word “Mèiring” or “Mèiringba,” which means - “The People who had been keeping the Fire unquenched. “The traditional oral history says that this people ‘Maring’ or “Mèiring’ or ‘Mèiringba’ obtained fire from the traditional ways called ‘Meihongtāng’ by using one particular dried wood (Khongma-híng) with bamboo strips and dried bushes or thatch put under the dried wood and rub/strike several times until the smoke comes out and produce fire, which is considered to be ‘Sacred Fire’ (Mèikhring) in local term and set up the same fire at Sacred places like altar of the village called Malamun(Rlhāmun) and at the Dormitories(Rkhāng) and at the Village Gates (Palshúng) etc. and keep burning that sacred fire perennially by regulating the fire-woods (Mèirup-híng) from the youths of the village/community. Therefore, from the early forefathers’ time, this practice had been followed by the Marings to keep the sacred fires burning without letting it extinguished in the village sacred places or village Altars till the dawned of the Christianity. The belief of the Marings in keeping the sacred fires (Mèikhring) is to keep the village or villager, or community alert from the evils or evil spirits and from their enemies. Therefore, the forefathers of the Marings used to proclaim themselves in the Cultural War Dance shout of the Heroes as Victorious shout. It goes like this:

Tik Nahade, nahade, ‘Maring, Mèiringbade,’ Nõngpõk -Thongākpade;

Pheiganna Chungmuk thâbade; Pāmbomna Ting-ting Laóbade;

Chêllaga Nungsitgumbade, Phamlaga Nungdumgumbade;

Nahong-phína Kabāk Thāngne.

Plain/easy translation of the verse goes as follows:

Mighty One, the Patriot, ‘Maring Mèiringba;’ Keeper of Sacred Fire unquenched;

Man of the East, the Keeper of the Eastern Gate (Watchman);

Thighs thick and strong as Shield;

Arms strong as mighty; Runs as fast as Wind,

Sits as heavy as a Rock; His Sword, ‘the Nahong Phee,’

The swaddling or wrapping cloth on which he was cared and brought up with.”

Therefore, the forefathers of this people have been handing down their accounts of history orally from generation to generation, calling themselves as ‘Maring’ or ‘Mèiring’, or ‘Mèiringba,’ which associated with the sacred fires in every way of life of the Maring community, and the people of other tribes called them as ‘Maring’ rather than ‘Mèiring’ or ‘Mèiringba.’ The Government of India in its Scheduled Tribes recognition lists, recognized ‘Meiring’ or ‘Meiringba’ as Maring based on the recommendation (list-Sl.No.6) of the Office of the Dewan of Manipur State in its letter No.2/AG/49/0695-96, dated, Imphal, the 6th June,1949, addressed to the Secretary, the Government of India, Ministry of States, New Delhi; under the subject: “Enumeration of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes,” with the reference No.D.4101-B/49, dated 28th April, 1949, addressed to the Advisor of His Excellency, the Governor of Assam, i.e. Sir Akbar Hydari (former), and copy to - the Advisor to His Excellency the Governor of Assam, i.e. Shri Prakasa (new) with reference to his letter No.S/Misc./270/49/3 of 4.5.49.7* (Horam Ringkahao: The Genesis of the Naga Political movement. Published at Enjay Computers, MBC Shopping complex, Imphal, Manipur-J998. p.90)

Thus, under the subsequent amendment of the Constitution of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes Lists, ‘Modification’ Order, 1956, Part-X- Manipur Notification No. SRO-2477A, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Dated 29.10.1956, in which 29 Tribes of Manipur were given recognition (Sl. No.16).

The recommended Scheduled Tribes lists are as follows:

1. Kuki, 2. Kabui, 3. Kacha Naga, 4. Tangkhul, 5. Mao or (Angami), 6. Maring, 7. Kom, 8.Chiru, 9. Koireng,

10. Maram, 11. Lamgang, 12. Anal, 13. Chothe, 14. Purum, 15. Khoirao, 16. Tarao, 17. Moyon, 18. Khoibu,

19. Monsang, 20. Aimol, 21. Kharam, 22. Thanggan, 23. Wainem, 24. Kwatha.

And Scheduled Castes lists:

1. Yaithibi, 2. Lois.

The Recognised Tribes lists are as follows:

1. Aimol, 2. Anal, 3. Angami, 4. Chiru, 5. Chothe, 6. Gangte, 7. Hmar, 8. Kabui, 9. Kacha Naga, 10. Koirao,

11. Koireng, 12. Kom, 13. Lamgang, 14. Any Mizo (Lushai Tribe), 15. Maram, 16. Maring, 17. Mao,

18. Monsang, 19. Mayon, 20. Paite, 21. Purum, 22. Ralte, 23. Sema, 24. Simte, 25. Sahte (Sukte), 26. Tangkhul,

27. Thadou, 28. Vaiphei, 29. Zou.

And left out Tribes of the order No.2/AG/49/0695-96 Dated 6.6.49 in the Modification list of 1956:

1. Tarao, 2. Khoibu, 3. Kharam, 4. Thanggan.

Addition to the Modification of 1956:

1. Angami, 2. Gangte, 3. Hmar, 4. Any Mizou, 5. Paite, 6. Ralte, 7. Sema, 8. Simte, 9. Sukte, 10. Thadou, 11. Vaiphei, 12. Zou.

• Original copy of this document is lying at the National Archives of India, New Delhi under File No.68, p.49, Vol.II, marked as document No.(2) in the correspondence portion of the Ministry of States, “P” Branch*

And this name “Maring” had been popularly used as “Murrings” according to their pronunciations by many of the English/British writers in their journals/books/discovery records as well even long before the Dewan of Manipur recorded/mentioned in its recommendation lists to the Union Government of India for recognition.

See also

The Maring tribe: Culture and lifestyle <> The Maring tribe: Customs and beliefs <> The Maring tribe: Economy <> The Maring tribe: History <> The Maring tribe: Laws and administration <> The Maring tribe: Society and polity <>The Maring tribe: Sports and pastimes …all in English;

and

Maring: Lei Chuinei Lammit/Ayil (Nu-Kungnei Ayil) and Maring: Nu-Ngainei Làmmit/Ayil in the Maring language (Roman script).