Context:
The Mao Council, the leading tribal authority of the Mao Nagas in Manipur, has officially endorsed the judgment and order issued by the Tenyimia People’s Organisation (TPO) Presidential Council. This acceptance resolves a longstanding traditional land dispute along the Nagaland-Manipur border, marking a significant step towards regional harmony and cooperation between the neighboring states.
Relevance:
GS II: Polity and Governance
About Mao Nagas
- Indigenous Tribe: Mao Nagas are one of the indigenous tribes in Northeast India.
- Location: They are part of the Naga community and primarily reside in the northern region of Manipur, adjacent to southern Nagaland.
Language
- Their language is known as Mao, which is also the name of the land they inhabit.
- They refer to themselves as Ememei or Memei in their language.
Population and Settlement
- Based on the 2011 provisional census, the population of the Mao Naga community stands at 97,195.
- They live in compact, well-protected villages situated on hilltops and mountain ridges.
Social Structure
- The Mao Naga society follows a patriarchal system where lineage is traced through males.
- Like other Naga communities, they are divided into various clans (referred to as Opfuta), further divided into sub-clans.
Economy
- The Mao Nagas’ economy is agricultural, with rice being their staple food.
- They practice terraced rice cultivation (both dry and wet) passed down through generations.
- Cooperative efforts and mutual exchange systems (barter) play a significant role in their traditional economy.
Religion
- Before adopting Christianity, the Mao Nagas practiced a traditional religion called Opfupe Chüna-Chüno, which is regarded as the religion of their forefathers.
- They believed in a Supreme Being known as Iyi Koki Chüku Kapi Oramei, a benevolent God who protects and nurtures humans.
- Christianity is now the dominant religion among the Mao Nagas.
Festivals
- The Mao Nagas celebrate four major festivals:
- Chüthuni
- Chüjüni
- Saleni
- Onuni
-Source: The Hindu
