Ancestors of Meitei confederacy

The Meitei people of Manipur were previously sorted into seven separate clans. Each clan had its own lineage and was together known as a Yek Salai. Each Yek Salai traces its ancestry from an early semi-mythological, or a sovereign ruler. These Yek Salais form the socio-political foundation of Ancient Kangleipak and continue to influence Meitei identity and heritage. These Yek Salais are the social and political basis of Ancient Kangleipak and still shape Meitei identity and culture today.

All seven sub-ethnic clans are thought to have descended from the same divine ancestor, the god Pakhangba, according to mythological, religious, and traditional narratives.

These seven Meitei subgroups, however, were historically separate ethnic communities with different origins. In spite of this, they had a common language, though dialects varied, a common religion with various sects, and a common homeland called Kangleipak.

On a brief note, not every people from each clan descends from the clan's common ancestors. An ancestor of a clan means the founder of the main lineage of the clan.

## Mangang (Ningthouja)

The first ever recorded Ningthouja (Mangang) ruler was Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, who was also the first historically attested king of unified Kangleipak. Even though every Mangang today may have not descended from (Nongda Lairen) Pakhangba, he stands as the common ancestor of the clan.

The Mangang as given the name, was previously comprised of two groups—Mangang and Ningthouja— These two groups settled in different parts of Manipur:

- Mangang: They settled in the Loiching Phouoiching region of the Koubru-Laimaton range, and also in four other places, i.e, Langpachak, Wangon, Oksang, and Thiba.
- Ningthouja: They established their throne at Kangla and lived in the valley regions. Their sphere of influence was also Kanglei Lammahan, which included four villages: Khwai, Yaiskul, Khurai, and Wangkhei.

However, in the 7th century, the Mangang tribes were defeated and merged into the Ningthouja polity during the reign of King Naothingkhong. According to Wahengbam Ibohal, the Ningthoujas came to be known as Mangangs during the reign of Khongtekcha.

## Luwang-Khuman

The Khuman and Luwang clan share a common ancestor called Poireiton through his two grandsons, Aalong and Pamingnaba. Aalong was elder and founded the Khuman dynasty meanwhile, the younger Pamingnaba founded the Luwang dynasty. The Luwang dynasty maintained political independence until 8th century when they were subdued by the Ningthouja dynasty.

The Khuman dynasty maintained political independence until 14th century when they were subdued by the Meitei king Kongyamba, which resulted in the Khuman kingdom being merged into the Ningthouja dynasty.

However, according to some other historians, the ancestor of Luwang and Khuman was Poireiton and Thongaren respectively.

## Angom

The Angom clan traces its ancestry to Pureiromba, the founder and the first king of the Angom dynasty. They firstly lived at Kongba Maru and later lived with the Ningthoujas. They later fled to Kontha and a section of the clan moved to Nongmaiching Ching. The capital of the Angom clan was at Kongba.

Pureiromba was a senior contemporary of the Meitei king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba.

## Moirang

The Moirang clan traces its ancestry to Ngangningsing Atengba, and Nganghunthok. They were the sons of the same mother but different fathers. As per the Moirang Ningthourol, Ngangningsing is listed as the first king of Moirang, while his elder brother, Nganghunthok ruled at Koubru.

Ngangningsing and Nganghunthok were the sons of Leinung Ngangsabi, the daughter of Nganba Khamchingkon Haiheiba (Urenhanba). According to Indramani, Ngangningsing was the progenitor of _Moirang Ariba_ (old), while Nganghunthok was the progenitor of _Moirang Anouba_ (new).

## Khaba-Nganba

The Khaba-Nganba clan was originally two separate clans, Khaba, and Nganba. The Khabas were once powerful group, having ruled Kangla before the ascension of Meitei king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba although they had already declined. According to Hareshwar Goshwami, as well as the ancient Meitei text Chengleiron, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba subjugated the powers of _Sorarel Ariba Ahum_, who were the chiefs of three clans, viz. Chengleis, Luwangs and Nganbas. After Nongda Lairen Pakhangba became king, the Khaba and Nganba clan lost its independence.

According to Irom Amubi Singh, King Naokhamba, having learnt that Khabas were the enemies of his forefather, Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, decided to kill all the Khabas. The Khabas then scattered in different places and merged into other tribes. So, the ancestor of Khaba-Nganba clan is taken as Nganba Khamchingkon.

According to some scholars, Khaba and Nganba descended from the Supreme God. It seems that during the time of Khaba Tulumba and Nganba Khamchingkon, the merger of the two groups took place.

## Sarang-Leishangthem (Chenglei)

The founder and first king of the Chenglei clan was Nungou Yumthangba. His elder brother, Lamlekshang became went up to the hills and became Kabui. Nungou Yumthangba's younger brother, Lokpa (Thengkoipa) founded the Haorok-Konthou lineage.

## See also

- Mangang Luwang Khuman