Kabui | |
|---|---|
Artiste from Song & Drama Division Kolkata, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting performing Rongmei dance | |
| Total population | |
| 170,800 (2011 Census) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Northeast India | |
| Languages | |
| Rongmei language | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (majority), Poupei Chapriak, Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Zeme, Liangmai, Inpui, Other Naga people |
The Rongmei (also known as Kabui) are one of the major indigenous communities a part of the Naga tribes of North-East India. The Rongmei Naga are a scheduled tribe under the Constitution of India.[1] The Rongmei have a rich culture, customs and traditions. They share similarity with their kindred tribes of Zeme, Liangmai and Inpui which together are known as Zeliangrong.
Rongmei territory was conquered by the British in the nineteenth century. In 1891, they imposed a house tax on the people of Tamenglong. The Rongmei refused to pay any tax from 1891 to 1894. In response, C.L. Crawford, Assistant Political Agent of Manipur, used force to collect the tax from the Tamenglong hills in 1894. Four years of defiance by the Rongmei and its consequences aroused national consciousness among the Rongmei.[2] Eventually, under the leadership of Haipou Jadonang[3] and his successor Rani Gaidinliu,[4] the Rongmei rebelled against British rule in the 1930s. This rebellion gave momentum to and garnered support for the vision of Naga Raj.
