![]() Tangkhul written in Meitei script | |
Total population | |
---|---|
142,000 (2001 census)[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Languages | |
Tangkhul language, other Tangkhulic languages, Meitei language and other Naga languages | |
Religion | |
Christianity, Animism.[2] | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Meitei people, Nagas, Chin. |
The Tangkhul people, also known as the Tangkhul Naga, are a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group living in the Indo–Mayanmar border area, occupying the Ukhrul district and Kamjong district in the Northeast Indian state of Manipur, and in parts of neighboring Myanmar. Despite this international border, many Tangkhul have continued to regard themselves as "one nation".[3] The name "Tangkhul" is originated from the Meitei language words, "Tang" (Meitei: ꯇꯥꯡ, romanized: /tāng/) meaning "scarce" and "Khul" (Meitei: ꯈꯨꯜ, romanized: /khūl/) meaning "village" respectively.[4] According to another theory of origin, the term "Tangkhul" is derived from "Thankhul", meaning "Than village" in Meitei language.[5][6]
Haoreima, the Meitei goddess of tragic love and separation, was actually a deified person of the Tangkhul origin.[7][8] She was a daughter of Khelemba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingdai village, and was married to Khamlangba,[a] a Tangkhul chief of Chingshong village. Despite marrying Khamlangba, she had a secret love affair with Meitei king Meidingu Tabungba, also called Tabung Saphaba (1359-1394). Upon discovering the secret relationship between the two, Khamlangba, getting furious, beheaded Tabung Saphaba.[9] Shocked by the tragic death of her lover, Haoreima took away her lover's head to the Kanglei Pungmayol. Later, she also died, following her lover's path and was eventually venerated as the Meitei goddess of tragic love and separation. She is also identified as goddess Ireima, who's also an incarnation of goddess Panthoibi of the Meitei pantheon.[10]