Sipra Sen, Tribes and Caste of Manipur (Description and Select Bibiography) (Mittal Publication: New Delhi, 1992). 1st Edition. Page 51-53.
The Zemei and Liangmei tribes, collectively known as the Kacha Naga in Manipur, primarily inhabit Tamenglong and Senapati Districts, with a presence in Churachandpur District as well. According to the 1981 provisional census, their population in Manipur is 17,138. The Rongmei tribe, referred to as Kabui in Manipur, along with the Zemei, Liangmei, and Impui, are collectively recognized as the Zeliangrong tribe in Nagaland. Some mistakenly believe the Zeliangrong are the Haomei tribe, but “Haomei” is a Meithei term meaning “all tribals,” not specifically the Zeliangrong.
The Kacha Naga are dispersed across Halflong, Lakhichera, and Silchar in Assam, and parts of Kohima District in Nagaland, particularly in the southern Bariel Range. The term “Kacha” is believed to be derived from Bengali. Although many have converted to Christianity, a significant number still practice their traditional animist religion. Under the leadership of Rani Gaidinliu, the Zeliangrong have sought official recognition as a tribe and demanded the creation of a Zeliangrong State encompassing their inhabited areas in Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam. They have formed the Zeliangrong People’s Convention (ZPC) to further these goals.
Physically, the Zeliangrong people belong to the Indo-Mongoloid group, characterized by a slightly less muscular build, strong and healthy bodies, slanted brown eyes, thick black straight to wavy hair, and almost fair skin. They have sharp slanted eyes with epicanthic folds and a less flattened nose. Linguistically, they belong to the Sino-Tibetan group.
Their six exogamous clans are Mpame, Nikuame, Newme, Nriame, Songome, and Hezarme. During marriage, the bride’s parents receive mithun, land, ornaments, or money from the groom. Sons inherit their father’s property, with the youngest son receiving the lion’s share, while daughters inherit their mother’s ornaments. If a man has no sons, his property goes to the nearest male relative. A younger brother can marry his elder brother’s widow but not vice versa. Men can marry their wife’s younger sister but not the elder. The Zeliangrong are generally monogamous, with divorce allowed; if initiated by the wife, she must return the bride price.
The primary agriculture practiced is jhum (shifting) cultivation, along with wet terrace cultivation. They domesticate cows, goats, pigs, and fowl for food. Men engage in bamboo and cane handicrafts in their leisure time, while women excel in handloom work.
Their houses are typically built on hill ridges, slightly elevated on piles, with roofs extending close to the ground. Houses are constructed in two rows along the sides of roads. Due to acculturation, they prefer modern clothing. Traditionally, men wear a colored cotton loincloth from the waist to mid-thigh, leaving the upper body bare except for a traditional shawl from the left shoulder to the knee. Below the knee, black-dyed cane bands and white-dyed cane leggings are worn. Men sometimes adorn their heads with hornbill feathers and wear necklaces of white conch shells and colored beads, occasionally using armlets. Unmarried girls cut their hair, while married women grow and tie their hair into a knot at the back. Women wear necklaces of shells, elephant tusk, bones, mithun horns, and various beads, along with brass, lead, or silver bracelets and armlets. They decorate their ears with bright flowers or brass earrings and wear a cloth from the waist to the knee, covering their breast with a second cloth down to the waist. A white, beautifully designed chadar is often worn across the waist.
The village headman, known as Kadeipeo, is selected on a hereditary basis, supported by a village council overseeing welfare activities and resolving disputes according to customary law. Hunting is a favored activity, with dao, spear, and gun as primary weapons. Women are skilled weavers. Traditional youth dormitories, Hanseuki for boys and Leuseuki for girls, are now nearly extinct. They bury their dead near the house, with each house having a graveyard fenced with wooden posts and bamboo.
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