The culture of Meitei civilization evolved over thousands of years, beginning in Ancient Manipur, continuing most notably into Medieval Manipur, while influencing the neighboring states and kingdoms.
Further information: Meitei architecture |
The architectural works of the Meitei ethnicity is best known through its Meitei temples as well as ancient buildings including palaces, court halls, offices, entrance gates and so on.
Further information: Meitei literature |
Meitei literature dates back right from the 15th century BC, during the era of Tangcha Lee La Pakhangpa (Tangja Leela Pakhangba) (1445 BC-1405 BC) in Ancient Manipur. The Puya (Meitei texts) account for most of the accounts for the literary works till Medieval Manipur.[1]
Some of the most prominent Puyas, written in Meitei language (Manipuri language),[2] are given below in alphabetical order:
Further information: Meitei festivals |
Important days fall in different times of a year according to Meitei calendar. Some are as follows in alphabetical order:
Further information: Meitei religion |
Sanamahism, the Meitei religion, has thousands of Meitei deities.The List of figures in Meitei mythology accounts for the characters in Meitei mythology, the receptacle of the Meitei religion.[3]
Further information: Lai Haraoba |
The "Lai Haraoba" festival is an ancient ritualistic music and dance festival, often performed in order to please the Umang Lais and the Lam Lais, whose pantheons are found scattered in the plains of Manipur still today.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
Jagoi, originally spelled as Chatkoi, is the traditional form of dancing, performed by the devotees to please the deities. Here is a list of the "Chatkoi"s ("Jagoi"s) :
C
K
L
M
P
T
Further information: Meitei death ceremony |
The Meitei people perform four types of death ceremony since time immemorial. These are:
Further information: Origin of Polo |
Manipur, the Meitei kingdom, has risen to prominence in a number of sporting areas since ancient times till today. Polo, the equine sports played all over the world, is developed from Sagol Kangjei, the primitive form of the game. Ancient Manipur is the native birth place of the modern polo.[11]