| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Zeliangrong languages | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (majority), Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak, Paupaise and Heraka. | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| OtherNaga tribes |
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TheZeliangrong people are one of the major indigenousNaga communities living in the tri-junction ofAssam,Manipur andNagaland in India. They are the descendants ofNguiba. The term "Zeliangrong" refers to theZeme,Liangmai andRongmei kindred tribes combined.[1] The term also covered theInpui tribe.[2] The descendants of Nguiba of Makuiluangdi were divided and were made peripheral appendages to three political entities - Nagaland, Manipur and the Dima Hasao (N.C. Hill district) of Assam. The Zeliangrong may be classified as an ethno-cultural entity. The Zeliangrong belong to the largerSouthern Mongoloid population and their language belongs to theSino-Tibetan family of languages.[3]
The ethnonym 'Zeliangrong' is derived from 3 words ZE-LIANG-RONG.ZE from Zeme,LIANG from Liangmai andRong from Rongmei. It traced back to the three kindred tribes. The three tribes are theZeme (dwellers of the warmer) orMejahme (lower region),Liangmai (men of the North) the original Northerner; on the other hand the termRongmei (people settled in the south) and finally Inpui (Puimei).
The wordZeliangrong was first coined on 15 February 1947 at Keishamthong Imphal.[4] The terminology Zeliangrong was coined in coherence with the solidarity movement afterIndia's independence.
The Zeliangrong have been living in the present location of their land since time immemorial, in a compact and contiguous geographical setting of approximately 12,000 km2 lying between 93 degrees E and 94 degree E longitude and 94.40 degrees and 24 degrees N latitude in N. C Hills of Assam; Peren district of Nagaland; Tamenglong district, Senapati district, Kangvai subdivision of Churachanpur district, Jiribam subdivision of Imphal district, Imphal valley and Cachar district along with various villages and its adjoining slopes in Manipur.
Earlier, Manipur had only 9 districts but, due to administrative changes, it led to the formation of 7 new districts, namelyKamjong,Kakching,Noney,Kangpokpi,Tengnoupal,Pherzawl, andJiribam.[5]
When it comes to religion, majority of Zeliangrong follow Christianity.
At present, the non-Christian Zeliangrongs follow three faiths, namely the Heraka, Poupei Chapriak (in Assam) andTingkao Ragwang Chapriak (in Manipur), all venerating Tingkao Ragwang (Tingwang in short), the supreme deity of the Zeliangrong pantheon.