View source for Meitei people

{{Short description|Ethnic group of South Asia}}
{{Redirect|Manipuri people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group            = Meitei people <br /> {{small|(Manipuri people)<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Meitei {{!}} people {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Meitei |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115171246/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Meitei |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
| native_name      = [[File:Meitei_transliteration_of_the_term_Meitei_-transparent.png|50px|]]
| native_name_lang = mni
| flag             = Salai Taret Flag.svg
| flag_caption     = Cultural flag of the Meitei people
| image            = 
| caption          = 
| total            = 1,800,000+<ref name="Ethnologue"/>
| total_year       = 2011
| region1          = India
| pop1             = 1,760,913<ref>{{cite web |title=Languages Specified in the Eight Schedule (Scheduled Languages) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |quote=Listed as Manipuri in the 2011 Indian census |archive-date=15 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200815041600/https://censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language-2011/Statement-1.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region2          = {{nbsp|10}}   [[Manipur]]
| pop2             = 1,522,132<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Manipur |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1400.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112015659/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1400.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region3          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Assam]]
| pop3             = 168,127<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Assam |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020113828/https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1800.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region4          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Tripura]]
| pop4             = 23,779<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Tripura |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1600.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=10 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410152742/https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1600.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region5          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Nagaland]]
| pop5             = 9,511<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Nagaland |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1300.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112015655/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1300.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region6          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Meghalaya]]
| pop6             = 4,451<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Meghalaya |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1700.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112015714/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1700.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region7          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Arunachal Pradesh]]
| pop7             = 2,835<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Arunachal Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1200.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=9 January 2021 |archive-date=19 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210619023527/https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1200.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region8          = {{nbsp|10}} [[Mizoram]]
| pop8             = 2,242<ref>{{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue – Mizoram |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1500.XLSX |website=census.gov.in |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-date=12 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112015704/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-1500.XLSX |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region9          = Myanmar
| pop9             = 25,000<ref name="TOI"/>
| region10         = Bangladesh
| pop10            = 15,000<ref name="Ethnologue"/>
| langs            = [[File:Meetei Mayek letter I.svg|20px]] [[Meitei language]] <br /> {{small|(officially known as [[Manipuri language]])}}
| rels             = '''Majority''':<br />[[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]] (predominantly [[Vaishnavism]])<br />'''Minority''':<br />{{hlist|[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|30px]] [[Sanamahism]], [[File:Christian cross.svg|12px]] [[Meitei Christians|Christianity]], [[Buddhism]]<ref name=mim4>{{Cite web|title=Manipuri in Myanmar 4|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Arts_and_Culture.Mutua_Bahadur_Art_Collection.Manipuri_in_Myanmar_4|access-date=2024-09-26|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>}}
| related          = [[Bamar people|Bamars]], [[Chin people|Chin]], [[Kachin people|Kachin]], [[Meitei Pangals]], [[Tripuri people|Tripuri]], [[Naga people|Nagas]], other [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]] groups
}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Meitei people}}
The '''Meitei people''', also known as '''Meetei people''',<ref name="samson">{{cite journal |last=Samson |first=Kamei |year=2019 |title=Theorising Social Fear in the Context of Collective Actions in Manipur |journal=Journal of Northeast Indian Cultures |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=12–43 |url=http://journals.dbuniversity.ac.in/ojs/index.php/jneic/article/view/606/578 |access-date=26 October 2020 |archive-date=4 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204083235/http://journals.dbuniversity.ac.in/ojs/index.php/jneic/article/view/606/578 |url-status=live }}<br />P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."<br />P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal."</ref> are a [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]] ethnic group native to the [[States and union territories of India|Indian State]] of  [[Manipur]]. They form the largest and dominant [[ethnic group]] of [[Manipur]] in [[Northeast India]]. They speak the [[Meitei language]] (officially called [[Manipuri language|Manipuri]]), one of the [[22 official languages of the Indian Republic|22 official languages of the Republic of India]] and the sole official language of [[Government of Manipur]].<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipuri language {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Manipuri-language |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en |archive-date=11 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711165900/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Manipuri-language |url-status=live }}</ref> 
The Meiteis primarily settled in the [[Imphal Valley]] region in modern-day Manipur, though a sizeable population has settled in the other Indian states of [[Meitei people in Assam|Assam]], [[Meitei people in Tripura|Tripura]], [[Nagaland]], [[Meghalaya]], and [[Mizoram]].<ref name="Ethnologue">{{cite web |title=Meitei |url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni |website=Ethnologue |access-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724203234/https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mni/ |archive-date=24 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Festivals in Meghalaya, Fairs and Festivals of Meghalaya|url=http://www.travelhot.in/TravelExperience/Meghalaya/Festivals_Of_Meghalaya.shtml|website=Travelhot.in|access-date=13 November 2018|archive-date=8 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008084108/http://www.travelhot.in/TravelExperience/Meghalaya/Festivals_Of_Meghalaya.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> There is also a notable presence of Meiteis in the neighbouring countries of [[Meitei people in Myanmar|Myanmar]] and [[Meitei people in Bangladesh|Bangladesh]].<ref name="Ethnologue" /><ref name="TOI" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Thokchom |first1=Khelen |title=Myanmar Meiteis in search of roots |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/myanmar-meiteis-in-search-of-roots/cid/586856 |access-date=29 September 2020 |work=The Telegraph |date=19 May 2008 |archive-date=2 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202150920/https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/myanmar-meiteis-in-search-of-roots/cid/586856 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Meiteis represent about 53% of Manipur's population.<ref name="Khomdan Singh Lisam pp 322">Khomdan Singh Lisam, ''Encyclopaedia Of Manipur'', {{ISBN|978-8178358642}}, pp. 322–347</ref>

==Endonyms and exonyms==
The Meitei are known by a number of [[endonym]]s, ''Meitei'', ''Meetei'', ''Meithei'' ([[Meitei language|Meitei]]),<ref name=":4" /> and as well as by numerous [[exonym]]s, such as ''Meckley'',<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Temple|first=RC|date=1894|title=Contributions Towards the History of Anglo: Burmese Words|url=https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:3izSSSpp7WAJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEKCtvgsxH5s:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3B5uaQvRpic0NdRIKMnTNIOZvYQO3&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3B-VM7r10FZcI6fy2HPRzwsapM5wN&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|journal=The Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland|pages=152–164|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427160239/https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:3izSSSpp7WAJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEKCtvgsxH5s:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3B5uaQvRpic0NdRIKMnTNIOZvYQO3&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3B-VM7r10FZcI6fy2HPRzwsapM5wN&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sanjeev|first=Thingnam|date=2020|title=Surveying and producing the frontier in nineteenth century Manipur: challenges and practices|url=https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:-8gD4cKq6JoJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEKCtvgsxjss:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3lstuSe5saVbdSPKMO-VTY_auj1nB&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3lkgn-Tk-dPbtnIyPNieoVF1p9rpH&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|journal=Asian Ethnicity|volume=21|issue=1|pages=122–136|doi=10.1080/14631369.2019.1585750|s2cid=150642454|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=27 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427160233/https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar.bib?q=info:-8gD4cKq6JoJ:scholar.google.com/&output=citation&scisdr=CgXmKpcBEKCtvgsxjss:AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3lstuSe5saVbdSPKMO-VTY_auj1nB&scisig=AAGBfm0AAAAAYIg3lkgn-Tk-dPbtnIyPNieoVF1p9rpH&scisf=4&ct=citation&cd=-1&hl=en|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> ''Manipuri'' and ''Kathe'' ([[Burmese language|Burmese]]).{{sfn|Parratt|2005|loc=Vol. 1|pp=24}} The term ''Manipuri'' is widely used, but problematic because of its ambiguous scope: next to being a synonym for ''Meitei''/''Meetei'', it can also refer in a wider sense to the native ethnic groups in the hills of Manipur.<ref name=samson/>

== Geographical distribution ==

=== India ===
{{Further|Barak Valley#Languages|Meitei associate official language movement}}
[[File:Map of Barak Valley.jpg|thumb|Districts of Barak Valley – Meitei speaking population settlement areas of Assam]]

As per the 2011 census, there 1,761,079 Meitei language-speakers in India.<ref name="2011 language census">{{cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10191 |title=C-16: Population by mother tongue, India – 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref>

The vast majority of them (1,522,132 people, 86 percent of the total) are in the state of [[Manipur]], which is also their place of origin.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipuri language |website=Encyclopedia Britannica  |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Manipuri-language |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711165900/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Manipuri-language |archive-date=11 July 2022}}</ref><ref name="2011 language census"/>
Estimated 239,836 people of this population are [[Meitei Pangals]]. The remainder, 1,353,999 people, are ethnic Meiteis.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Khumukcham |first1=Rinku |date=12 February 2019 |title=DIPR facts on Census confuse Pangals and Muslims |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/articles/dipr-facts-on-census-confuse-pangals-and-muslims/ |work=Imphal Times |access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref>{{efn|The number 239,936 is that of Muslim population of the state of Manipur, the majority of whom are expected to be Meitei Pangals.}}

A significant number (168,133 people, 9.5 percent) of Meitei language speakers are in the state of [[Assam]].<ref name="2011 language census"/>
In the [[Barak Valley]] region of Assam, Meitei people are the third largest ethnic group, after Bengalis and Hindi speakers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mishra |first=Awadesh |date=1 January 1999 |title=The Manipuris in the Barak Valley: A Case Study of Language Maintenance' |url=https://www.academia.edu/1059019 |url-status=live |journal=Linguistics of the Tibeto-Burman Area |volume=22 |doi=10.32655/LTBA.22.1.06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425140404/https://www.academia.edu/1059019 |archive-date=25 April 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023}}</ref>

=== Myanmar ===
{{Main|Meitei people in Myanmar}}
Myanmar has a significant population of Meitei people in [[Kachin state]], [[Yangon Region]], [[Sagaing Region]], [[Shan state]], [[Ayeyarwady Region]], among others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipuri in Myanmar 1 |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Arts_and_Culture.Mutua_Bahadur_Art_Collection.Manipuri_in_Myanmar_1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314123650/http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Arts_and_Culture.Mutua_Bahadur_Art_Collection.Manipuri_in_Myanmar_1 |archive-date=14 March 2023 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

=== Bangladesh ===
{{Main|Meitei language in Bangladesh}}

The population of Meiteis are found in four districts of [[Sylhet Division]] in Bangladesh, namely [[Sylhet District]] (thirteen villages), [[Moulvibazar District]] (twenty-eight villages), [[Sunamganj District]] (three villages) and [[Habiganj District]] (four villages). In early times, there were Meitei population in [[Dhaka]], [[Mymensingh]] and [[Comilla]] too.<ref name=":Bangladesh">{{Cite web |title=Textile Bdesh Myanmar 3 |url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Arts_and_Culture.Mutua_Bahadur_Art_Collection.Textile_Bdesh_Myanmar_3 |access-date=14 March 2023 |website=www.e-pao.net |archive-date=23 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223091851/http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Arts_and_Culture.Mutua_Bahadur_Art_Collection.Textile_Bdesh_Myanmar_3 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Origins and history ==
{{main|History of Manipur|Meitei literature|Meitei mythology|Meitei folklore}}

{{See|Meitei people in Assam#History{{!}}Meitei history in Assam|Meitei people in Bangladesh#History{{!}}Meitei history in Bangladesh|Meitei people in Myanmar#History{{!}}Meitei history in Myanmar|Meitei people in Tripura#History{{!}}Meitei history in Tripura}}
{{Quote box
 | quote = "The beginning of this old [[Manipuri literature]] (as in the case of [[Newari language|Newari]]) may go back to 1500 years, or even 2000 years, from now."<ref>{{Cite book |title=[[Indian Literature (journal)|Indian Literature]] – Volume 14 – Page 20 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=1971 |edition=Volume 14 – Page 20 |pages=20 |language=en |quote= The beginning of this old Manipuri literature (as in the case of Newari) may go back to 1500 years, or even 2000 years, from now.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Siṃha |first=Niṃthaukhoṃjama Khelacandra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EpAOAAAAMAAJ |title=Manipuri Language: Status and Importance |publisher=N. Tombi Raj Singh |year=1975 |pages=34 |language=en, mni |quote=The beginning of this old Manipuri literature (as in the case of Newari) may go back to 1500 years, or even 2000 years, from now... |author-link=Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920065525/https://books.google.com/books?id=EpAOAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-CzSQKVmveUC&dq=manipuri+court+language&pg=PA290 |title=Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization |date=1988 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-853-2 |pages=290 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920065543/https://books.google.com/books?id=-CzSQKVmveUC&dq=manipuri+court+language&pg=PA290 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | source = —[[Suniti Kumar Chatterji]], [[Padma Vibhushan]] awardee Indian  scholar
 |width = 28%
 |style = min-width: 15em
 |bgcolor = #FFE0BB
 |align  = right
}}

The earliest sections of the ''[[Cheitharol Kumbaba]]'', a Meitei chronicle, record the gradual spread of Meiteis across {{langnf|mni|[[Kangleipak]]|[[Manipur]]}} and their assimilation of other clans into a confederacy.{{sfnp|Parratt|2005|pp=4}}{{sfnp|Sebastian|2019|pp=57–58}}

=== In Kangleipak (Manipur) ===

In 1100 CE, '''[[Loyumba Shinyen]]''' ({{langx|omp|{{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯣꯌꯨꯝꯄ ꯁꯤꯟꯌꯦꯟ}}|{{Script|Latn|Loyumpa Shinyen}}}}), an [[ancient Meitei language]] [[constitution]] was written and regulated under the supervision of Meitei King [[Loiyumba|Loiyumba (Loyumba)]] (1074 CE-1112 CE) in the [[Ancient Kangleipak]] (early [[Manipur]]).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9eYC4tjzyi4C&dq=loyumba+shinyen+written+constitution&pg=PA304 |title=Law and Society: Strategy for Public Choice, 2001 |date=1991 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-271-4 |pages=304 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920065526/https://books.google.com/books?id=9eYC4tjzyi4C&dq=loyumba+shinyen+written+constitution&pg=PA304 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is a formal proclamation of the proto-constitution which was drafted in 429 CE by Meitei King [[Naophangba]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vO-vtI8NuxIC&dq=loyumba+shinyen+final+document&pg=PP2 |title=Manipur: Treatise & Documents |date=1993 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-399-5 |pages=2 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920065527/https://books.google.com/books?id=vO-vtI8NuxIC&dq=loyumba+shinyen+final+document&pg=PP2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9eYC4tjzyi4C&dq=loyumba+shinyen+written+constitution&pg=PA304 |title=Law and Society: Strategy for Public Choice, 2001 |date=1991 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-271-4 |pages=304 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920065526/https://books.google.com/books?id=9eYC4tjzyi4C&dq=loyumba+shinyen+written+constitution&pg=PA304 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vO-vtI8NuxIC&dq=loyumba+shinyen+Manipur+state+Constitution+act+1947+final+document&pg=PP2 |title=Manipur: Treatise & Documents |date=1993 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-399-5 |pages=2 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920065544/https://books.google.com/books?id=vO-vtI8NuxIC&dq=loyumba+shinyen+Manipur+state+Constitution+act+1947+final+document&pg=PP2 |url-status=live }}</ref> The idea of its [[constitutionalism]] was functional until it was substituted by the [[Manipur State Constitution Act 1947]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sanajaoba |first=Naorem |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9eYC4tjzyi4C&dq=loyumba+Shinyen+Manipur+State+Constitution+Act+1947+substituted+merger+India+October+15+1949&pg=PA304 |title=Law and Society: Strategy for Public Choice, 2001 |date=1991 |publisher=Mittal Publications |isbn=978-81-7099-271-4 |pages=304 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920070029/https://books.google.com/books?id=9eYC4tjzyi4C&dq=loyumba+Shinyen+Manipur+State+Constitution+Act+1947+substituted+merger+India+October+15+1949&pg=PA304 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== In Myanmar (Burma) ===
[[File:Manipuri horseman.jpg|thumb|An 1855 watercolour of a ''Kathe'' horseman in the Burmese royal service]]
Myanmar is home to a sizeable community of Meiteis, who are called ''Kathe'' in Burmese.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Nongthombam |first=Jiten |date=1 July 2011 |title=The Meitei Diaspora in Myanmar |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09739572.2011.10597359 |journal=Diaspora Studies |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=155–167 |doi=10.1080/09739572.2011.10597359 |doi-broken-date=12 July 2025 |issn=0973-9572 |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211164535/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09739572.2011.10597359 |url-status=live }}</ref> Unlike other Hindu communities in Myanmar, the Meitei resemble other Burmese ethnic groups in terms of physical appearance, which has accelerated their assimilation and integration into Burmese society.<ref name=":1" /> In the early 1950s, Burmese Meiteis numbered approximately 40,000, with a third of them residing in [[Mandalay]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Sanajaoba|first=Naorem|title=Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization|date=1988|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-853-2|language=en}}</ref> Current estimates are approximately 25,000.<ref name="TOI">{{Cite web|title=Manipuris in Mandalay see ray of hope in Modi|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Manipuris-in-Mandalay-see-ray-of-hope-in-Modi/articleshow/48059811.cms|last1=Sunil|first1=Oinam|date=14 July 2015|website=The Times of India|language=en|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202151013/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Manipuris-in-Mandalay-see-ray-of-hope-in-Modi/articleshow/48059811.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Meiteis have resettled throughout the country, including in villages near [[Myitkyina]] to the north, [[Homalin]], [[Kalewa]], [[Pyay]], in the center of the country, and [[Yangon]] to the south.<ref name=":3" /> They continue to practice [[Hinduism]] in Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 June 2019|title=စစ်ကိုင်းမြို့တွင် ကသည်းမယ်တော်ကြီးချိုးရေတော်သုံးပွဲကျင်းပ|work=Eleven Broadcasting|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHz1Rwro6Yo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/vHz1Rwro6Yo |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|trans-title=Three festivals of Kathe Maedaw Gyi Cho Ye Taw held in Sagaing}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

As a result of wars between the Meitei kingdom and the [[Konbaung dynasty]] between the 17th and 18th centuries, many Meiteis were resettled in the Burmese kingdom.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|last=Oinam|first=Bhagat|date=2005|editor-last=Murayama|editor-first=Mayumi|title=Manipur|url=https://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Jrp/133.html|journal=Sub-Regional Relations in the Eastern South Asia: With Special Focus on India's North Eastern Region|volume=133|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202151211/https://www.ide.go.jp/English/Publish/Download/Jrp/133.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Some Meitei settlements in modern-day Myanmar originate from the 1758–1759 war, and from the Burmese occupation of Manipur from 1819 to 1826.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> [[Alaungpaya]], during the former campaign, resettled Meiteis in [[Sagaing]] and [[Amarapura]].<ref name=":3" /> The Meitei people's horsemanship skills were employed in the Burmese royal army, where they formed the elite Cassay cavalry (ကသည်းမြင်းတပ်) and artillery regiments (ကသည်းအမြောက်တပ်) which were employed during the [[Burmese–Siamese wars]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|last=Singha|first=Memchaton|date=2016|title=Marriage Diplomacy Between the States of Manipur and Burma, 18Th to 19Th Centuries|journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress|volume=77|pages=874–879|issn=2249-1937|jstor=26552717}}</ref> The Burmese court also retained a retinue of [[Manipuri Brahmins]] called Bamons, also called ''Kathe Ponna'' (ကသည်းပုဏ္ဏား) to advise and conduct court rituals.<ref name=":3" />

== Language and writing systems ==
{{main|Meitei language|Meitei language in Bangladesh|Meitei language movement|List of Meitei-language television channels|List of Meitei-language newspapers|Meitei script}}

The Meitei people speak the [[Meitei language]] (also known as the Manipuri language), a [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]] language. Meitei is one of the [[languages with legal status in India]], and was included in the [[Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India]] in 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Eighth_Schedule.pdf|title=Eight Schedule of the Constitution of India|website=Mha.nic.in|access-date=30 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010536/http://mha.nic.in/hindi/sites/upload_files/mhahindi/files/pdf/Eighth_Schedule.pdf|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are many [[Meitei language movement]]s, including [[Meitei classical language movement|classical language movement]] (predominantly in Manipur), [[Meitei associate official language movement|associate official language movement]] (in [[Assam]]), [[Meitei linguistic purism movement|linguistic purism movement]] (predominantly in [[Manipur]]), etc.

Historically and then after a long gap, presently, Meitei was written in the indigenous [[Meitei mayek]] script.<ref>{{Cite web|title=History of Meetei Mayek|url=http://tabish.freeshell.org/eeyek/history.html|website=Tabish.freeshell.org|access-date=30 September 2017|archive-date=29 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929043313/http://tabish.freeshell.org/eeyek/history.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The script was replaced by an alphabet based on the [[Bengali script]] in the early 18th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.omniglot.com/writing/manipuri.htm|title=Manipuri language and alphabets|website=Omniglot.com|access-date=30 September 2017|archive-date=27 May 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080527154306/http://www.omniglot.com/writing/manipuri.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The Meitei Mayek script has seen a revival in recent decades, and is now seen in street signs, schools, newspapers, and legislative proceeding records.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Laithangbam |first1=Iboyaima |title=Banished Manipuri script stages a comeback |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/banished-manipuri-script-stages-a-comeback/article19743482.ece |access-date=7 October 2020 |work=The Hindu |date=23 September 2017 |language=en-IN |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109032654/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/banished-manipuri-script-stages-a-comeback/article19743482.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Literature ===
{{Further|Meitei literature|Meitei proverbs|Meitei Mahabharata|List of epics in Meitei language}}

[[File:The classical Meitei epic of the "Numit Kappa", written in ancient Meitei language (in archaic Meitei script).jpg|thumb|The ''[[Numit Kappa]]'', a Meitei epic composed around 33CE.]]

Among the heritage of diverse literary works in Meitei literature, the ''[[Khamba Thoibi Sheireng]]'', {{meitei|ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯁꯩꯔꯦꯡ|lit=poem on Khamba Thoibi}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=George |first=K. M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m1R2Pa3f7r0C&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA29 |title=Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=1992 |isbn=978-81-7201-324-0 |location=India |pages=29 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309163441/https://books.google.com/books?id=m1R2Pa3f7r0C&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA29 |url-status=live }}</ref>), is regarded as the [[national epic]] of the Manipuris.<ref>{{Cite book |last=George |first=K. M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m1R2Pa3f7r0C&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA258 |title=Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems |date=1992 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |isbn=978-81-7201-324-0 |location=India |pages=258 |language=en |quote=H. Anganghal Singh's Khamba Thoibi Sheireng (Poem on Khamba Thoibi, 1940) is a national epic of the Manipuris based on the story of Khamba and Thoibi of Moirang. The poet composes the whole epic in the Pena Saisak style of folk ballads sung by minstrels or bards popular in Manipur. |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309163432/https://books.google.com/books?id=m1R2Pa3f7r0C&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA258 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Datta |first=Amaresh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA1186 |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=1988 |isbn=978-81-260-1194-0 |location=India |pages=1186 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309163434/https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA1186 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":Sisir">{{Cite book |last=Das |first=Sisir Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sqBjpV9OzcsC&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA190 |title=A History of Indian Literature: 1911–1956, struggle for freedom : triumph and tragedy |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=2005 |isbn=978-81-7201-798-9 |pages=190 |language=en |quote=His epic Singel Indu was published in 1938 which was followed by his magnum opus Khamba Thoibi Sheireng (1940), a poem of 39000 lines, considered to be the 'national' epic of the Manipuris, written in the Pena Saisak style of folk ballads. |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309163444/https://books.google.com/books?id=sqBjpV9OzcsC&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA190 |url-status=live }}</ref> It is an [[epic poem]] based on the ancient romantic adventure tale of [[Khamba and Thoibi]]. It is the best known [[magnum opus]] of [[Hijam Anganghal Singh]]. It is often considered to be the greatest of all the Meitei epic poems. At 39,000 [[Verse (poetry)|verses]], it is [[Indian epic poetry#List of longest epics|the longest Indian epic]] just after the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Datta |first=Amaresh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA1573 |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=1988 |isbn=978-81-260-1194-0 |location=India |pages=1573 |language=en |quote=His best work, Khamba Thoibi sheireng, in 39,000 lines on the story of 'Khamba and Thoibi' was started in 1939 and the composition was completed in 1940. |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309163434/https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Sheireng&pg=PA1573 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":Sisir" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Delhi |first=All India Radio (AIR), New |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gL_8DwAAQBAJ&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Seireng&pg=PA1582 |title=AKASHVANI: Vol. XL. No. 35 ( 31 AUGUST, 1975 ) |date=31 August 1975 |publisher=All India Radio (AIR), New Delhi |pages=1582 |language=en |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309163433/https://books.google.com/books?id=gL_8DwAAQBAJ&dq=Khamba+Thoibi+Seireng&pg=PA1582 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Culture {{Anchor|Civilization|Civilisation}} ==
{{Further|Traditional Meitei religion|Meitei mythology|Meitei literature|Meitei folktales|Meitei folklore|Meitei festivals|Meitei dances|Manipuri classical dance}}
{{Multiple image|perrow = 2|total_width=300
| image1 = The Tableau of State of Manipur passing through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for Republic Day Parade - 2005, in New Delhi on January 23, 2005.jpg
| image2 = The tableau of state of Manipur passing through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade in New Delhi on January 23,2006.jpg
| image3 = The tableau of Manipur passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018, in New Delhi on January 26, 2018.jpg
| image4 = The tableau of Manipur passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2017, in New Delhi on January 23, 2017.jpg
| image5 = The tableau of Manipur passes through the Raj path during the 61st Republic Day Parade-2010, in New Delhi on January 26, 2010.jpg
| size                            = 280
| spacing                         = 1
| position                        = centre
| border                          = 0
| color                           = white 
| footer = The [[Republic of India]] honouring and showcasing the cultural heritage of the Meiteis (clockwise from the top): [[Kangla Fort]], [[Thang-Ta]] and the composite culture of {{langnf|mni|[[Kangleipak]]|[[Manipur]]}} (2005), [[Shri Shri Govindaji Temple]], [[Yaoshang]] and [[Pung Cholom]] (2006), [[Maibi]] and [[Lai Haraoba]] (2017), [[Hiyang Hiren]] and [[Pakhangba]] (2010), [[Maiba]], [[Pena (musical instrument)]] & [[Khamba Thoibi Jagoi]] (2018)
}}

=== Architectural designs and sculptures ===
{{Further|Meitei architecture}}
Some of the significant intricate designs of the traditional [[Meitei architecture]] and sculptures are seen in various buildings and institutions, especially the temples of [[traditional Meitei religion]]: [[Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple]], [[Pakhangba Temple, Kangla]], [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]], [[Thangjing Temple, Moirang]], among many. Others include the [[Ima Keithel]], [[Kangla Sanathong]]. include Some of the worthy to mention finely crafted sculptures are the [[Marjing Polo Statue]], [[Kangla Sha]] sculptures, [[Statue of Meidingu Nara Singh]].

=== Classical and folk dances, festivals and ritualistic theatres ===
[[File:Lai Haraoba-3 - 5571676820.jpg|right|thumb|233x233px|{{langnf|mni|[[Maibi]]s|priestesses}} dancing in {{langnf|mni|[[Lai Haraoba]]|Merrymaking festival of the gods}}]]
The {{langnf|mni|[[Lai Haraoba]]|Merrymaking festival of the gods}} is a traditional Meitei ritualistic theatrical festival, consisting of different dances, musical performances and carnivals in the temples and the streets. It's dedicated to the worship of the [[ancient Meitei gods and goddesses]], who are categorised as the {{langnf|mni|[[Umang Lai]]|Sylvan deities}} and {{langnf|mni|[[:simple:Lam Lai|Lam Lai]]|Tutelary deities}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lai Haraoba |url=https://www.sahapedia.org/lai-haraoba-0 |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Sahapedia |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802205000/https://www.sahapedia.org/lai-haraoba-0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Lai Haraoba – a fertility rite of the Meitei |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/opinion/lai-haraoba-a-fertility-rite-of-the-meitei |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=[[Imphal Free Press]] |language=en |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802205141/https://www.ifp.co.in/opinion/lai-haraoba-a-fertility-rite-of-the-meitei |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style.jpg|thumb|256x256px|[[Raslila]] in {{langnf|mni|Jagoi Raas|[[Manipuri classical dance]]}} style]]
The '''''[[Manipuri classical dance]]''''', also referred to as the  '''''Manipuri'' ''Raas Leela''''' ({{langx|mni|Jagoi Raas, Raas Jagoi}}<ref>{{Cite book |last=Banerjee |first=Utpal Kumar |title=Indian Performing Arts: A Mosaic |date=2006 |publisher=Harman Publishing House |isbn=978-81-86622-75-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=Sruti |date=2006 |publisher=P.N. Sundaresan |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Derek |first=O' Brien |title=Knowledge Trek 7, 2/E |date=2006 |publisher=Pearson Education India |isbn=978-81-7758-055-6 |language=en}}</ref>), is a [[jagoi]] and is one of the major [[Classical Indian dance|Indian classical dance]] forms, originating from the historical [[Manipur Kingdom]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipuri {{!}} History, Characteristics, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/manipuri |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en |archive-date=12 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212081642/https://www.britannica.com/art/manipuri |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Theatre and cinema ===
{{Main|Meitei cinema|Cinema of Manipur|List of Meitei-language films|Kalakshetra Manipur}}

[[File:Meitei Cinema - Maniwood Clapperboard.jpg|thumb|The clapperboard of [[Meitei cinema]] ([[Maniwood]])]]
The first [[Manipuri-language film]], ''[[Matamgi Manipur]]'', was released on 9 April 1972.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kanglafilms.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:manipuri-cinema&catid=1:content|title=Manipuri Cinema|work=kanglafilms.com|access-date=1 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222102333/http://www.kanglafilms.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1:manipuri-cinema&catid=1:content|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Paokhum Ama (1983) is the first full-length '''colour feature film''' (according to the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|Academy's]] definition of a feature film)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/91aa_rules.pdf|title=91st Academy Awards Rules|website=The Oscars|access-date=4 November 2019|archive-date=23 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823190433/https://www.oscars.org/sites/oscars/files/91aa_rules.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> of Manipur and was directed by [[Aribam Syam Sharma]]. ''Lammei'' (2002) is the first Manipuri Video film to have a commercial screening at a theatre.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/shes-got-the-look-3/|title=From Manipur, stories of the women actors who didn't get to play Mary Kom|date=17 August 2014|work=The Indian Express|access-date=20 September 2023|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211125149/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/shes-got-the-look-3/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Golden Montgolfiere at the Nantes ====
{{langnf|mni|[[Imagi Ningthem]]|[[My Son, My Precious]]}} (1981) is the 
[[Three Continents Festival#List of Montgolfière d'or winners|only Indian film]] that gets the [[Golden Montgolfiere]] at the [[Festival des 3 Continents]], [[Nantes]] in 1982, bringing fame and honour of the Indian cinema at the international platform.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Digitised Imagi Ningthem screened at Pune film fest : 15th jan14 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=16..150114.jan14 |access-date=31 July 2023 |website=e-pao.net |archive-date=9 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309173218/http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=16..150114.jan14 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 April 2022 |title=New book traces journey of Manipuri cinema |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/new-book-traces-journey-of-manipuri-cinema/article65295376.ece |access-date=31 July 2023 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731182755/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/new-book-traces-journey-of-manipuri-cinema/article65295376.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== World classic in Cannes ====
{{langnf|mni|[[Ishanou]]|[[The Chosen One (1990 film)|The Chosen One]]}} (1990) was screened in the [[Un Certain Regard]] section at the [[1991 Cannes Film Festival]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/131/year/1991.html |title=Festival de Cannes: The Chosen One |access-date=10 August 2009 |work=festival-cannes.com |archive-date=10 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710235057/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/archives/ficheFilm/id/131/year/1991.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and again after a gap of 33 years, it was recognised as a "World Classic" by the [[2023 Cannes Film Festival]]. Notably, it was the only film selected from India for the event in that year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 May 2023 |title=Manipuri feature film 'ISHANOU' recognised as World Classic |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/manipuri-feature-film-ishanou-recognised-as-world-classic/articleshow/100038686.cms?from=mdr |access-date=31 July 2023 |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731125516/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/manipuri-feature-film-ishanou-recognised-as-world-classic/articleshow/100038686.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Aribam Syam Sharma's ISHANOU recognised as World Classic |url=https://www.ifp.co.in/movies/aribam-syam-sharmas-ishanou-recognised-as-world-classic |access-date=31 July 2023 |website=[[Imphal Free Press]] |language=en |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731125822/https://www.ifp.co.in/movies/aribam-syam-sharmas-ishanou-recognised-as-world-classic |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Manipuri Film 'Ishanou' Becomes India's Only Restored Film To Be Screened At Cannes 2023 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/manipuri-film-ishanou-becomes-india-s-only-restored-film-to-be-screened-at-cannes-2023-news-284573 |website=Outlook India |date=8 May 2023 |access-date=20 September 2023 |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731125657/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/manipuri-film-ishanou-becomes-india-s-only-restored-film-to-be-screened-at-cannes-2023-news-284573 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Achievements in the National Film Awards ====
{{Further|National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Meitei}}

=== Religions and beliefs ===
{{Further|Sanamahism|Sanamahi creation myth|Meitei deities|Meitei dragons|List of creatures in Meitei folklore|Meitei Hindus}}
According to the 2011 census, 222,422 people (14.6 percent) follow the traditional [[Sanamahism|Sanamahi]] religion of the Meitei people.<ref name="2011 other religions">{{cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11398 |title=C-01 Appendix: Details of religious community shown under 'Other religions and persuasions' in main table C01 – 2011 Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=31 December 2024}}</ref> The remainder (1,298,821 people, 85.3 percent) follow [[Hinduism]] and [[Christianity]] as per the census. The number of Christians is expected to be small. For example, the valley districts of Manipur, the major concentration of Meitei people, have about 3,000 Christians.{{efn|The valley districts of Manipur have 59,324 Christians.<ref name="religion 2011">{{cite web |title=Indian Census 2011 |publisher=Census Department, Government of India |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/c-01.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913045700/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01.html}}</ref> The vast majority of them are (56,913 people) belong to Manipur's tribal communities.<ref name="census tribes">
{{citation |title=A-11 Appendix: District wise scheduled tribe population (Appendix), Manipur – 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Government of India |date=2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/43013 |id=PC11_A11a-14}}
</ref>}}

Most Meiteis follow both [[Hinduism]] as well as [[Sanamahism|Sanamahi]] religious traditions and rituals. For example, they worship Sanamahi in the south-west corners of their homes.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Inclusion of Sanamahi religion in minority is being reviewed' |newspaper=Hueiyen News Service |date=26 August 2011 |url=http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..270811.aug11 |via=e-pao.net |archive-date=7 March 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307055131/http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..270811.aug11}}</ref>

=== Calendar ===
{{Main|Meitei calendar}}

{{Further|Sanamahi creation myth}}
The Meitei people follow a traditional calendar called [[Meitei calendar|Maliyafam Palcha Kumsing]], which has 12 months and a 7-day week.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Names of 12 months of Kangleipak concepts and significances|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Discovery_of_Kangleipak.Names_of_12_months_of_Kangleipak_concepts_and_significances|website=e-pao.net|access-date=25 May 2020|archive-date=24 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924233119/http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Discovery_of_Kangleipak.Names_of_12_months_of_Kangleipak_concepts_and_significances|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
[[File:Yongchaak Singju with Hawai Maton.jpg|thumb|[[Singju]] is a signature dish of the Meitei cuisine]]
Rice, vegetables and fish are staple food of the Meiteis, although meat is also consumed;  but in traditional Meitei dishes meat is never used in non-vegetarian dishes. In traditional and cultural gatherings fish, snails, oysters, crabs, eels etc. are the only non-vegetarian elements used and a significant number of Meiteis follow it where meat is cooked and eaten outside the house if consumed. Rice is the main carbohydrate source in a Meitei dish; typically, it is served with vegetables, fish, freshwater snails, crabs, oysters, eels etc. Among the most famous species of fishes Manipuri Sareng ([[Wallago attu]]) or commonly known as Helicopter catfish, Hilsa ([[ilish]] Tenualosa ilisha), freshwater snails ([[pila (gastropod)]]) and edible oysters are considered a delicacy. The vegetables are either made as stews (Kangsoi) with less oil/no oil used in sauteing, or stir fried directly in oil with various added spices to make an oily spicy side dish (Kanghou). Roasted/Smoked and sun-dried fish or fried fresh fish is usually added in most of the stews and curry to impart special taste. The vegetables, herbs and fruits consumed in the region are more similar to those in Southeast/East/Central Asian, Siberian, Arctic, Polynesian and Micronesian cuisines such as Myanmar, Thailand, Inuit, etc. E.g. treebean (yongchak), galangal (loklei), [[Eryngium foetidum|culantro]] (awa phadigom), [[Ocimum americanum|lime basil]] (mayangton), [[Houttuynia cordata|fishwort]] (tokningkhok) and many others, which are not cultivated in northern India. One of the most important ingredients in Meitei cooking is Ngari (fermented fish). Roasted ngari is used in the [[singju]] (a kind of salad), morok metpa (chilli chutney), [[eromba]] (boiled and mashed veggies with chillies). A variety of fermented bamboo shoots (soibum) as well as fresh bamboo shoots (Ushoi/Shoidon), and fermented soya beans (hawaijaar) also form an important part of Meitei cuisines. All meals are served with some fresh aromatic herbs on the side.

A typical every day Meitei meal will have rice, vegetable or fish curry, a piquant side dish (either morok metpa or [[eromba]] accompanied with herbs), a champhut (a steamed/boiled vegetable with little sugar, e.g., carrot, pumpkin or cucumber slices or steamed/boiled mustard green stems, etc. without sugar), and a Kanghou. Meat cuisines are also popular amongst the Meiteis and some of the common meat curries are yen thongba (chicken curry) and nganu thongba (duck curry) and depending on regions, oak thongba (pork curry) and shan thongba (beef curry).

=== Subsistence ===
The Meitei are mainly agriculturists in which rice is a staple crop. However, they also grow mangoes, lemons, pineapples, oranges, guavas, and other fruits. Fishing is also common among the Meitei that can either be a profession or a hobby. Women tend to dominate the local markets as sellers of food items, textiles, and traditional clothing.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Human: The Definitive Visual Guide|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2004|isbn=0-7566-0520-2|editor-last=Winston|editor-first=Robert|location=New York|pages=441}}</ref>

== Associations and organisations ==
{{Incomplete list|date=August 2023}}

===Cultural revivalist organisations===
[[Arambai Tenggol]] is a socio-political organisation involved in the revival and preservation of indigenous [[Meitei culture]], which has developed into an armed milita in the course of the [[2023–2025 Manipur violence]].<ref name=rev1>[https://theprint.in/india/as-centre-steps-in-manipur-underground-groups-tell-cadre-to-lie-low-but-situation-still-volatile/2496299 As Centre steps in, Manipur underground groups tell cadre to ‘lie low’, but situation still volatile], The Print, 15 Feb 2025.</ref> [[Meira Paibi]] (Women torch bearers) is a Meitei women's [[social movement]] referred to as the "guardians of civil society".<ref name=mpw1>[https://thediplomat.com/2023/08/manipur-violence-understanding-the-shifts-in-meitei-womens-political-activism/ Manipur Violence: Understanding the Shifts in Meitei Women’s Political Activism], The Diplomat, 9 Aug 2023.</ref>

=== Society-based ===
* [[Nikhil Manipuri Mahasabha]]

=== Language-based ===
* [[Manipuri Sahitya Parishad]]
* [[Naharol Sahitya Premee Samitee]]

=== Religion-based ===
* [[International Sanamahism Students' Association]]
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung]]
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board]]
* [[South East Asia Cultural Organisation]]

== Notable people ==
{{Main|List of Meitei people}}

== See also ==
* [[Meitei Brahmin]]s
* [[2023 Manipur violence]]
* [[List of Meitei kings]]
** [[Ningthouja dynasty]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{Cite journal|last=Brandt|first=Carmen|date=5 December 2017|title=Writing off domination: the Chakma and Meitei script movements|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19472498.2017.1411050|journal=South Asian History and Culture|volume=9|pages=116–140|language=en|doi=10.1080/19472498.2017.1411050|s2cid=148911026|issn=1947-2498|url-access=subscription}}
* {{Cite book|last=Hazarika|first=Manjil|url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780199474660.001.0001/oso-9780199474660|title=Prehistory and Archaeology of Northeast India: Multidisciplinary Investigation in an Archaeological Terra Incognita|date=2017|volume=1 |publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/oso/9780199474660.001.0001|isbn=978-0-19-947466-0|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Parratt|first=Saroj Nalini Arambam|title=The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: The Cheitharon Kumpapa : Original Text, Translation, and Notes|date=2005|publisher=Routledge|isbn=0-415-34430-1|location=London}}
* {{Cite thesis|last=Sebastian|first=Rodney|title=Cultural Fusion in a Religious Dance Drama: Building the Sacred Body in the Manipuri Rāslīlās|date=2019|publisher=University of Florida|id={{ProQuest|2464172212}}}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Portal bar|Arts|Asia|Bangladesh|Geography|History|India|Language|Literature|Music|Myanmar|People|Politics|Religion}}
{{Manipur}}
{{Ethnic groups in Bangladesh}}
{{Ethnic groups in Myanmar}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Meitei, Meetei}}
[[Category:Meitei people| ]]
[[Category:Buddhist communities of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Hindu ethnic groups]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Manipur]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Northeast India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in South Asia]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Southeast Asia]]