North East

Indian

States :-

Athira Baburaj

The 7 states of the North East India are :-

MeghalayaMizoramNagalandTripura Arunachal PradeshAssamManipur

About:-

The North East is a true frontier region. It has over 2000 km of border with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh and is connected to the rest of India by a narrow 20 km wide corridor of land. One of the most ethically and linguistically diverse regions in Asia, each state has its distinct cultures and traditions.

From times immemorial, India’s North East has been the meeting point of many communities, faiths and cultures. A place renowned for its magical beauty and bewildering diversity, North East India is the home for more than 166 separate tribes speaking a wide range of languages. Some groups have migrated over the centuries from places as far as South East Asia; they retain their cultural traditions and values but are beginning to adapt to contemporary lifestyles. Its jungles are dense, its rivers powerful and rain, and thunderstorms sweep across the hills, valleys ,and plains during the annual monsoon.

The lushness of its landscape, the range of communities and geographical and ecological diversity makes the North East quite different from other parts of the subcontinent. The festivals and celebrations in the North- eastern states of India are a colorful reflection of the people and their lives.

North East India comprises of seven states commonly known as the “Seven Sisters”. They are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. 

MEGHALAYA : -

CAPITAL-Shillong LANGUAGES- Khasi, Garo, English• CLOTHING - Summer:-( April- October) Light tropical Winter: - (November- March) Woolen SEASON TO VISIT-October to April Meghalaya, a Sanskrit word meaning "the  abode of cloud", was created

as an autonomous State on 2nd April 1970. It is bound on north and east by the state of Assam, and on south and west by Bangladesh. The three physical division in the state are Garo (Western), Khasi (Central) and Jaintia (Eastern) hill divisions.

In the Garo hills, the Tura range occupies dominantly a middle portion running west to east where the Nokrek peak is located. Khasi -Jaintia ranges are intertwined with a curved-alignment. Spurs of ranges in Jaintia hills are shorter in height than the Shillong Plateau; hill bases lie side by side with flat lands, valley and meadows.

Animals and birds that are found in the state are elephants, tigers, bear, jackal, leopard, golden langurs etc .

The interesting birds found in the state include Hornbills, King Vulture, Crested Serpent, Eagle, Partridges, Teals, Snipes, Quails etc.

People :-

Meghalaya occupies a total area of 22,429 sq kms with a total population of 2,306,069 persons as reported in the census of 2001. The sex-ratio in Meghalaya was 974 females per 1000 males; as against 923 females for the country as a whole. The fairly high sex ratio in Meghalaya may be attributed to the existing tradition of matrilineal society. The Khasi and Jaintia tribes are matrilineal in character in which, the immovable property of the deceased, is inherited by females, especially the youngest daughter. As a matter of fact, the female babies and daughters get adequate attention of the parents with respect to education and health care. 

Meghalaya is mainly a Christianity dominated state. Before the arrival of Christian missionaries in the late 19th century and later, most natives followed tribal religions.  

Social and cultural heritage:-

The Khasi, Garo and Jaintia are people with a rich cultural heritage. The important crafts of the Khasi and the Jaintia districts are artistic weaving, wood-carving and cane and bamboo work. Carpet and silk weaving and the making of musical instruments, jewellery and pineapple fibre articles are among its minor craft.

The popular handicrafts of the Garo hills district are artistic weaving, cane and bamboo work including poker work( in which designs are burnt into the bamboo with a red-hot pointed rod),wood carving, jewellery and making of clay toys and dolls and musical instruments.

History :-

There are different legends, beliefs and findings about the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. It is said that Khasis were the earliest immigrants who made their way across northern Myanmar to Khasi in the plain of East Assam where they established new centre. Khasis linguistically represents the Mon-Khmer

speeches spoken in South-East Asia.   The ancient kingdoms of Khasis were

confined to the plain mostly in the Kamrup and Nagaon Districts, Assam and eastwards. The early history of Garos is shrouded in mystery. Most traditions locate that Tibet was their home from where their forefathers spread to different places. The Jaintias tribe belongs to the Hynniewtrep of the Austric race. It is believed by the scholars that they had migrated from Tibet-China from Mohkhmer groups in search of food and shelter.

In 1950 Garo hills, United Khasi and Jaintia hills were brought under the purview of sixth schedule of Indian constitution. District council had administrative control. The creation of Meghalaya in 1972 resulted in formation of three autonomous district councils for the development of the hills. The three council were –

The Khasi autonomous district council.

The Jaintia autonomous district council.

The Garo autonomous district council.

Economy:-

Meghalaya is basically an agricultural state in which about 80 percent of its total population are dependent primarily on agriculture for livelihood. The state has a vast potential for developing horticulture due to agro-climatic variations, which offer much scope for the cultivation of temperate, sub-tropical and tropical fruits and vegetables.

Besides the major food crops of rice and maize, Meghalaya is known for its oranges (Khasi Mandarin), pineapple, banana, jackfruits, temperate fruits like plums, peaches and pears etc. The popular cash crops, which are traditionally cultivated, include turmeric, ginger, black pepper, areca nut, Betelvina, tapioca, short staple cotton, jute and Mesta, mustard and rapeseed. Special emphasis is presently laid on non-traditional crops like oil seeds, cashew nut, tea and coffee, orchids and commercial flowers.

The rich mineral deposits including mica gypsum and coal are unexploited.

Famous places:- Siju Caves  Imikhang Dare  Rongrengiri  Cherrapunji

MIZORAM :- CAPITAL – Aizwal CLOTHING - Summer: Cottons Winter:   Woolens SEASON TO VISIT -October- April

With the implementation of the North- Eastern Reorganization Act in 1972, Mizoram became a Union Territory and as a sequel to the signing of the historic memorandum of settlement between the Government of India and the Mizo National Front in 1986, it became the 23rd state of the Indian union on 20 February 1987. Mizoram literally translated means "Land of the Highlanders". The hills are steep with an average height of 900 meters. The highest peak in Mizoram is the Blue Mountain (Phawngpui) with a height of 2210 metres.  The tropical forests of Mizoram abound in a wide variety of flora and fauna. The thick bamboo groves strewn with wild plantations dominate the lower altitude, slowly giving way to dense woods festooned with creepers and canes as the hills rise higher. Yellow sunflowers and many other colorful wild flowers, add a touch of delightful tonal contrasts to the greeneries. Besides being an ornithologist's delight, the jungles are home to tigers, wild boars, leopards, monkeys, barking deer's, sandbars and elephants.

People:-

Historians believe that the Mizos are a part of the great wave of the Mongolian race spilling over the eastern and southern India centuries ago.

Mizo is not just one tribe as normally presumed but the term represents several tribes taken together. The term Mizo means "the "men who live in the hills“.

Mizos are of Mongoloid origin, speaking a dialect of Tibeto- Burman origin. Mizos are of Mongoloid origin, speaking a dialect of Tibeto- Burman origin.

All their activities revolve around this cultivation and their festivals are connected with such agricultural operations.

 

Cultural and social heritage :-

The fabric of social life in the Mizo society has undergone tremendous changes over the years. Before the British moved into the hills, for all practical purposes the village and the clan became units of the Mizo society. The Mizo code of ethics or dharma moved round "Tlawmngaihna"an untranslatable term meaning on the part of everyone to be hospitable, kind unselfish and helpful to others. Tlawmngaihna to a Mizo stands for

selfless service for others. A gregarious and close- knit society,

they evolved some principles of self-help and co- operation to meet social obligations and responsibilities.

No class distinction and no discrimination on grounds of sex are not seen in Mizo society.

Birth of a child, marriage in the village and death of a person in the village or a community feast arranged by a member of the village are important occasions in which the whole village is involved.

Agriculture is the mainstay for about 60% of the population of Mizoram. Only 5% of the total area is under cultivation. About 7% of the total cultivated area is under irrigation. Forest account for nearly 21% of the area.

Mizoram has no major industry. It has remained backward industrially which can be attributed to physical alienation, lack of mineral resources in the state, distance from the heart of the country coupled with communication, etc.

The cottage industries comprise of handloom and handicrafts. In the small scale sector are the rice- milling, oil and flour milling, mechanized bamboo workshops, saw milling, brick making and furniture workshops.

Festivals :-

The cottage industries comprise of handloom and handicrafts. In the small scale sector are the rice- milling, oil and flour milling, mechanized bamboo workshops, saw milling, brick making and furniture workshops.

Mim Kut: Mim Kut or Maize festival is celebrated during the months of August and September, after the harvest of maize. Mim Kut is celebrated with great fanfare by drinking rice- beer, singing, dancing and feasting.

Music is a passion of the Mizos. The most colorful and distinctive dance of the Mizo is called Cheraw.

Places of interest:- o Aizawl o Champhai  o Tamdil Lakeo Vantawng Waterfallso Rengdil

Economy :-

CAPITAL – Kohima CLOTHING Summer:- Cotton ; Winter:-Woolen

SEASON TO VISIT -October to April

Nagaland is almost entirely inhabited by the Naga tribes except some Kukis, Kacharis, Garos, Mikris, Benglalees, and Assamese etc. in the plains sector. There are several views expressed by scholars regarding the origin of the word Naga.

The word Naga originated from Naga meaning Snake or king of snakes. Nagaland is a hilly state. The hills are a continuation of the Burma Arc

being joined with the Sub-Himalayan ranges in the north and stretching into the hills of Manipur. Forests cover the main part of the land and jungles it is natural that there will be lots of animal life.

The place being hilly and the expanse of the hills not being very large there are a few rivers, which are quite small in both width and length until they leave the state. No rivers of this state are navigable in any season.

NAGALAND :-

Social and Cultural Heritage :- The Nagas are not a composite

people. They speak many languages. They differ widely in dress and other cultural traits, as well as in physical features. They belong to Mongoloid stock but yet there are great differences in the details between one tribe and other, as well as between different people of the same tribe. Some are tall, some are short.

There is no caste system among the Nagas or anyone of the non-Naga tribes.

The cultural traditions of the Nagas include features which are common to all the tribes like head hunting, common sleeping house for unmarried men which are taboo to women, a sort of trial marriage, or great freedom of intercourse between the sexes before marriage, disposal of dead on raised platforms, the simple loom for weaving cloth etc. 

Festivals :-• Life in Nagaland is replete with festivals

throughout the year as all the tribes have their own festivals, which they greatly cherish. They regard their festivals sacrosanct and participation in them is compulsory. They celebrate their distinct seasonal festivals with pageantry, color, music and fanfare. Most of these festivals revolve round agriculture, which is still the mainstay of the Naga society.

• They start with the Chakhesang Sukrunye festival in January, followed by Kuki Mimkut; Angami Sekrenyi is celebrated in February. The month of April begins with the Konyak Aoling and Phom Monyu festivals in the firstweek. Ao Moatsu and Khiamniungan Miu festivals are celebrated in May. Sumi Tuluni and Chang Nkanyulum festivals are celebrated in the month of July. In the months of August and September, theYimchunger Metemneo and Sangtam Mongmong festivals are celebrated. The month of November witnesses the celebration of the Lotha Tokhu Emong and the Rengma Ngada festivals 

CAPITAL – Agartala CLOTHING :- Summer- Cottons

Winter: Tropical with heavy woolens for chilly days SEASON TO VISIT ->September- March Tripura, the ancient home of the Bodos, is the northeastern state of India

located by the side of Bangladesh. Politically, now it is a part of the area comprising seven states aptly called `Seven Sisters`, because of many similarities in the social milieu, cultural mosaic and economic landscape. These states besides Tripura are Assam, Manipur, Nagaland ,Meghalaya, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh.

Tripura is strategically situated between the river valleys of Myanmar and Bangladesh. Encircled almost on the three sides by Bangladesh, it is linked with Assam and Mizoram in the northeast.

Places of Interest :- Ujjayanta Palace ; Sepahijala Wild life Sanctuary ;

Neer Mahal ; Deatamura ; Jampui Hills  ; Unakoti  ;

Matabari .

Tripura :-

People :-

o According to the 2001 census, the total human population of the state of Tripura is 3,191,168. The highlands are areas of sparse population and the lowlands are densely populated.

o In Tripura , there are not only people hailing from different regions but also people constituting different ethnic groups. Each ethnic tribe has its own language and distinctive forms of cultural expressions, such as music, dance and festivals. Tripura, for instance, have the Garia dance, Reangs have the Howzagiri and the Chakmas have the Bijhu dance.

o There are people of all religious groups. Hindus are predominant probably because the ancient rulers were Hindus and their faiths may have affected their subjects. 

 

Social and cultural

heritage :-

Tripura has a long historic past, its unique tribal culture and a fascinating folklore. Some scholars are of the opinion that in the distant past it was known as Kirat Desh. There are references of Tripura in the Mahabharata and the Puranas.

The early history of Tripura is shrouded in mystery. Many myths and legends are associated with it. . One version traces its link with the Puranic tradition, to the times of Yajati and Pratit when the 71st Raja Tripura was bonded by a Bodo alliance with Kachar. Another version in the Rajmala (Rajmala is one of the important sources of Tripura history generally datable to the 15th century) states that the ruler of Tripura belongs to lunar race and trace their descent from the Rajput Kshatriyas.

Economy :-

Tripura lacks an industrial base save some cottage industries(handicrafts and handloom) and small scale manufacturing units. In the last 10 years the Indian government has encouraged small scale industries especially dealing with weaving, carpentry, pottery and basket making.

Rice is the main crop. It is well-suited to the marshy conditions of the northern basin. Jute, cotton, tea, and fruit are important cash crops. Sugar cane, mustard and potatoes are also grown. The state imports large quantities of rice, wheat, maize, pulses, sugar, etc.

Exports from the state include plywood pulp, articles manufactured out of bamboo, timber and canned fruit. 

Festivals :-

Garia Puja-Celebrated on the 7th day of the month of Vaishak(April)by the tribal people who believe that the celebration will bring prosperity and enjoyment for the whole year.

Kharchi Puja(July)-Originally another tribal festival.

Ker Puja-A traditional tribal festival held within a specified boundary specially marked with prior notification in the state government gazetteer.

Durga Puja (Oct-Nov)-This festival of the mother Goddess Durga in her benign and protective form has possibly come in from Bengal.

Tirthamukh-A popular pilgrim centre for the tribal people of Tripura.

Arunachal Pradesh :-

CAPITAL - Itanagar CLOTHING: Summer- cotton; Winter- woolen. SEASON TO VISIT -October to April.  Arunachal Pradesh the 24th state of the Indian Union, is bounded by Bhutan to

the west, Myanmar to the east, China to the north and north-east and the plains of Assam to the south. Arunachal Pradesh is acknowledged to be one of the most splendid, variegated and multilingual tribal areas of the world. Arunachal is the largest state (area-wise) in the north-east region.

This land, encompassing wide alpine geographical diversity and corresponding climatic conditions varying from tropical to temperate and Alpine, and a wide variety of wild life flora and fauna with concomitant life form, has now started gaining acclaim as a world biodiversity heritage spot. Arunachal Pradesh is endowed with thick evergreen forests with numerous streams, rivers and gorges and hundreds and thousands of species of flora and fauna covering more than 60% of the total area. Its rivers are ideal for angling, boating and rafting and its terrain is suitable for trekking, hiking and holidaying in a serene atmosphere.

Places of Interest :- Annini, Bhismaknagar (archaeological sites) ;Bomdila (at a height of 2530 mts provides a panoramic views of the Himalayan landscapes and snow clad ranges ; Changlong, Doparijo, Itanagar (capital, with excavated ruins of historical Ita Fort and attractive Ganga lake.

People :-

There are 26 major tribes and a number of sub tribes living in the state. Most of these communities are ethically similar having derived from an original common stock but their geographical isolation from each other has brought amongst them certain distinctive characteristics in language, dress and customs. 

The first group of people are the Monpas and the Sherdukpens of Tawang and West Kameng district. They follow the Lamaistic traditions of Mahayana Buddhism.

The second group of people Adis, Akas, Apatanis, Bangnis, Nishings, Mishmis, Mijis, Tangsas, etc., who worship the sun and the moon namely Donyi Polo and Abotani, the original ancestor for most of these tribes.

The third group comprises of Noctes and Wanchos, adjoining Nagaland in the Tirap district.

Social and cultural Heritage :-

The whole population of Arunachal can be divided into three cultural groups on the basis of their socio- politico religious affinities.

There are three kinds of religions practiced here. The Monpas and Sherdukpens in Kameng and Tawang district, who met the Tibetans in the north, adopted Lamaism of the Buddhist faith, while the Khamptis in Lohit district practice Mahayana Buddhism. The second group, Noctes and Wanchos in Tirap district, whose long association with the Assamese in the south, converted them to Hindus.

 They are associated with the practice of head hunting. The third group comprises of Adi, Akas, Apatanis, Nishings, etc.- a large majority of the total population, who maintain their ancient belief and indigenous concepts of nature and worship- the Donyi-Polo (The Sun & Moon). 

Economy :-

For about 35% of the population of Arunachal Pradesh, agriculture is the main occupation. 17% of total cultivated area is under irrigation. The main crop is rice, grown on valley bottoms and on some terraced slopes. Maize, millets, pulses, potatoes, wheat and mustard are the other important crops.

About 62% of the total area of the state is under forests. There is no large scale manufacturing industry, though some coal and lignite are mined. The principal industries are forest based.

Forest products, especially bamboo, are vital resources. Saw mills, plywood and veneering mills, rice mills, fruit preservation units, soap and candle manufacturing, steel fabrication, oil expellers are in the medium and small industrial sectors.

Festivals :-

Festivals are an essential part of the socio- cultural life of the people. The festivals are usually connected with agriculture and are associated with ritualistic gaiety either to thank God or to pray for bumper harvest.

Some of the important festivals are Mopin and Solung of Adis, Lossar of Monpas & Sherdukpens and Boori-Boot of the Hill Miris, Dree of the Apatanis, Si-Donyi  of Tagins,Nyokum of Nishing, Reh of Idu Mishmis, Tamladu of Mishmi, Loku of Nocte, Mol of Tangsa,Sanken of the Khampti and Singpho, Khan of the Miji, Nechi Dau of the Akase of the Tagins,Ojiale of the Wancho, Kshyat-Sowai of the Khowa, Longte Yullo of the Nishing,etc.

Assam :- CAPITAL – Dispur CLOTHING -- Summer:-(April to October): Cotton Winter:-( November to March): Woolen SEASON TO VISIT-October to April Assam is the gateway to the north-east, a state known for its breath taking scenic

beauty, rarest flora and fauna, lofty green hills, vast rolling plain, mighty waterways and a land of fairs and festivals.

It is also known that “Assam” is derived from the word “Asama” meaning uneven. Assam is almost separated from central India by Bangladesh. Nagaland, Manipur and Myanmar bound it in the east, west by West Bengal, north by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh and south by Meghalaya, Bangladesh, Tripura and Mizoram.

It is dominated by the mighty Brahmaputra, one of the great rivers of the world (length: 2900 kms), which not only has a fertile alluvial plain for growing rice, but also is famous for tea. Earthquakes are common. There are nine national parks in Assam and some of them are listed below:

Places of Interest:- Kaziranga National Park ; Manas National Park ; Nameri National Park  ;

Orang (Rajiv Gandhi) National Park ; Chakrasila Wildlife Sanctuary ; Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary ; Guwahati  ; Diphu ,etc.

People :- The ethnic origin of the Assamese

varies from Mongoloid tribes to those of directly Indian stock. The earliest inhabitants of Assam were probably of Austric stock. They are termed as “ proto- Austroloid”, because they are said to have migrated from the Australian and some other islands of the Pacific Ocean to the Asiatic mainland.

The Khasis and Jaintias appear to be descendents of the proto-Austroloid of ancient Assam. . Of course, among different races, the Aryans could establish their cultural supremacy over this country.

Broadly, the inhabitants of Assam can be divided into three categories, namely the tribal population, the non-tribal population and the scheduled castes. The Tribal's consist of different ethno-cultural groups such as the Kacharis (Bodos), the Miris, the Deoris, the Rabhas, the Nagas, the Garos, the Khasis,etc.

Social and cultural Heritage :-

There is a gradual development of liberalism in religious system in Assam. The indigenous groups are Aninmism, Tantricism, Brahmanism and Vaishnavism. The Assamese were practicing Tantric forms of rituals until the advent of the new Vaishnavite religion formed by Shrimanta Sankardeva (1449-1568). The pristine form of Hinduism began only when the Aryans arrived in Assam.

The present Hindu caste system had emerged with the immigration of outsiders. Neo Vaishnavism entered the land in the 15th century and is the dominant faith if the Assamese people at present. The Assamese society is an open society based on the principles of liberalism. 

Assam is a land of fairs and festivals. Most of the festivals celebrated in Assam have their roots in the diverse faith and belief of her inhabitants. They reflect the true spirit, tradition and life style of the people of Assam.

Economy :-

About 63% of the state’s working force is engaged in agriculture and allied activities. More than 79% of the total cropped area is utilized for food crops production. Rice is the principal food crop. Jute, tea, cotton, oilseeds, sugarcane, potato and fruits are the main cash crops. Forest account for 22.41% of the total area of the state.

Assam’s tea gardens produce just over half of the country’s tea and contributes about one sixth of the world’s entire tea production. Assam holds a unique position in respect to mineral oil production. Coal, limestone, refractory clay, dolomite and natural gas are the other minerals found in the state. Extensive oil reserves were found in the 19th century and Digboi became the site of Asia’s first oil refinery.

Assam is the largest producer in the world of the golden colored “Muga Silk”. 

Festivals :-

The major festivals celebrated in Assam are Bihu- Bhogali or Magh Bihu (January), Rongali or Bohag Bihu(April), and Kongali or Kati Bihu (May) celebrated by people irrespective of caste, creed and religion throughout Assam. Other festivals are- Baishagu (celebrated by Bodo Kacharis during mid April), Ali-Ai-Ligang (festival of the Mishing tribe, February-March).

Baikho (Rabha tribe, spring season), Rongker (important festival of the Karbis, April), Rajini Gabra and Harni Gabra (Dimasa tribe), Bohaggiyo Bishu (spring festival of the Deoris),Ambubashi Mela (most important festival of the Kamakhya Temple is celebrated during mid June every year. It is a ritual of austerities celebrated with “tantric” rites) and Jonbill Mela (spectacular fair held every year during winter at Jonbeel of Jagiroad, near Guwahati) and so on. 

The people of Assam also celebrate Janmastmi (August), Durga Puja (October), Diwali, Idd, Muharram, Me-Dam-Me-Phi, the birth and death anniversaries of the Vaishnavite saints Shrimanta Sankardev and Shri Madhabdev. 

Manipur :-

CAPITAL – Imphal CLOTHING -Summer:-( April- October) Cotton ; Winter: - (November- March)

Woollen SEASON TO VISIT- October to April Manipur is the land of rich valleys surrounded by beautiful hills and lakes, a land of

gentle people full of laughter and joy. Many legends tell us the origin of Manipur. Manipur means the 'land of gems'. This north-eastern state was described as the land

of gold or ‘Suvarnabhu’. Manipur was a princely state under the British rule in 1891. The natural vegetation occupies an area of nearly 67% of the total geographical area of

the state. It is blessed with amazing varieties of fauna and flora. Depending on the altitude of the hill ranges, the forest ranges from tropical to sub-alpine. The wet forests, the temperate forests and the pine forests occur between 900-2700 m above sea level and they together sustain s host of rare and endemic plant and animal life.

In Manipur natural habitat growing in soil or on trees and shrubs, spreading their beauty and color, stunning the eye that is not used to seeing them in such profusion. There are 500 varieties of orchids, which grow in Manipur of which 472 have been identified. 

Places of Interest :- The most important places which are worth seeing is the Govindajee temple, a

Vaishnavite temple, adjoining the royal palace of the former rulers of Manipur. The other places whish are worth seeing are the war cemetery, Khwairamband Bazar, Shaheed Minar, Manipur state museum, Manipur zoological park, Langthabal, Khonghampat Ochidarium.

People :-

Manipur is a place where different waves of races and culture met through the ages, which ultimately mingled together. The territory is divided into two distinct zones- the valley and the surrounding hill areas. The main population of the people is of Manipuri's known as Meities.

They claim their descent from Parkhangba who ruled Manipur and had the power of changing his shape into a serpent with a straight tail. The 29 tribes inhabiting Manipur hills may broadly be divided into Nagas and Kuki. It is not possible to make a clear –cut classification of the Naga group from the Kukis- the important Naga groups are Tangkhul, Kubuis and Mao. The Zemeis, the Liangmei, the Maram, the Thangal, the Maring, the Anal, the Moyon are also included under the Naga group.

Social and cultural heritage :-

The society is patrilineal though the women bear the major yoke of labor. Women share the responsibilities of earning and are not confined only to household duties. The household is a true social unit ant the head of the family has to perform certain religious duties. Their families consist of man, his wife and unmarried children. They practice both types of marriage by engagement and elopement.

By nature, they are lovers of flowers with which they bedeck themselves beautifully. Their dresses are simple but tasteful. The woman wears colored long stripped skirt, blouse and white chaddar gracefully and the man uses white dhoti and chaddar and in ceremonial occasions a pagri. 

The people of Manipur have inherent love of performing art with lyrical beauty and rhythm. Their rich culture and tradition are also reflected in their handloom, tasteful clothes and in finer workmanship of handicrafts.

Economy :-

Agriculture is the main stay of the people. About 88% of the total working population in the hills and about 60% of the working population in the valley depend entirely on the agriculture and allied pursuits like animal husbandry, fisheries and forestry.

This is possible because the deposit of alluvial clay from rivers enriches the soil of the valley, and the large number of hill streams ensures irrigation. The staple food is rice and the minor agricultural produces are tobacco, sugarcane, mustard, etc. 

The weaving industry is well developed and each household owns a loom with the women busy in the creation of typically unique native designs. The handloom industry is the largest cottage industry in Manipur, with the finished items often been exported.  

Festivals :-

The Manipuri's rarely perform any festival which is not accompanied by dance, music and song. Their Lai Haraoba festival is very interesting dance drama led by priests (Maibas) and priestesses (Maibis), depicting the creation of life. It is celebrated during March-April for about 10-15 days before the village temples of gods and goddesses and the entire village participates in it. This festival of merry making of gods and goddesses is an example of the pre- vaishnavite culture among them.

Holi is one of the most important festivals of the Manipuri's and is performed on the Vasant Purnima day associated with the birth of Lord Chaitanya of Bengal. During the holi, festival young and all come out accompanied by the groups of musicians and go in procession to the temples, with sprinkling of colored water to each other.

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