Juvraj Tikendrajit
Encyclopedia
Koirengs are one of the indigenous peoples inhabiting Manipur
in North-East India. They have a shared common ancestry, history, cultural traits, folklore and dialects with their kindred people.
Linguistically, Koireng is classified under the Tibeto-Burman of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. Koirengs have Mongoloid features and are generally short-statures, with straight black hair, dark brown eyes and brown skin. Koireng is a recognized scheduled tribe of India.
(i) Emerging of two heterogenesis human progenitors from non-human beings and
(ii) Ancestors believed to have emerged out of a Khur, cave.
According to the first version, in the hoary past, when there was no evidence of human beings except the divine beings, on Yeisupn (Earth) two fungus like plants, grew up at Yaolkik and Yaolkak. On seeing these two plants, the divine beings were very much struck with fear; the objects could not be cleft thoroughly.
One was cut deeply in middle and it turned into Tulong (woman) and identified as Roltei while the other was cut in a slanting position thereby producing pointed parts and the very being became Tumong (man) who came to be Known as Rolphun. By their union seven sons were born. They in order of their seniority were: Song, Yei, Teltu, Thamthu, Uirei, Khuonglung and Miriem(Miriem-Mikan) from whom the seven clans of Koireng were born. The clans of Uirei, Thamthu, and Khuonglung are extinct. The Miriem and Makan clans are believed to have imbibed themselves to kindred tribes like Chothe, Aimol, Thikhup (Muntuck), Kharam and Tuisimi(Maring). Thamthus are believed to have been absorbed among the Hmar people.
The other version revolves within the myth of emergence of their forefathers out of a khur (cave), according to which they are known as Khurmi (Khur=cave, mi=man). But they could not recount reminiscences about the exact location of the legendary cave.
Though the exact site remains unknown, Kolram, the eastern land is believed to be somewhere around the Irrawady floodplain of Burma and the Lushai-Chin Hills. Their journey was from Upper Burma through different regions of Burma, across the Chindwin Basin Hill and then into the Lushai Hills, and finally to Manipur through Churanchandpur district.
(i) Puonthal (for males), Puonwom, Murkisen, thaite (turban) and
(ii) Puonhem (for females)-ascribing higher status for being adorn with it. Puonsen, Saipikhup, Lung-um, Puonkok-hoi, Puon-lang, Korr-aam (the latter two clothes are waist belts).
Koireng women use ornaments with Har (armlet), Yak-serr (armlet), Rikarui (a necklace of red beads).
Koireng men of high social hierarchy decorate themselves with a fur of matured red goat's hair during important festivities. Musical instruments used are Khuong (drum), Roshem (a bagpiper-like musical instrument made of dried reeds and matured hollowed-out gourd), Sekhi (horn), Sum (gong) of various sizes, Serang-dar (a violin-like stringed instrument), etc.
Household implements like spear, dao, guns, fishing basket
s, carrying baskets, hoe, plough, yoke etc. were used.
), etc., are some of the main products. Gathering economy and basket products for commercial goods form trade and market. Hunting in the form of sports is persistent during off-seasons in the villages of Thanglong, Utonglok and Sadu.
clan. This proximity led to numerous aggressions. The Koirengs, already weakened after a major infernal disaster, were terribly defeated at the end. They ultimately underwent a diaspora in various parts of Manipur and North-East India. Today, the Koirengs (Korens) are sparsely scattered around the surrounding foothills of the Imphal valley of Manipur, NE India.
Tuiruong tiengmo chesik?
Tuivai tiengmo chesik? (Old Koren Saying)
Manipur
Manipur is a state in northeastern India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. Manipur is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west; it also borders Burma to the east. It covers an area of...
in North-East India. They have a shared common ancestry, history, cultural traits, folklore and dialects with their kindred people.
Linguistically, Koireng is classified under the Tibeto-Burman of the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. Koirengs have Mongoloid features and are generally short-statures, with straight black hair, dark brown eyes and brown skin. Koireng is a recognized scheduled tribe of India.
Population
According to 2001 census, the Koireng population in Manipur is 1056. Claims of a bigger population cannot be refuted either.Origin
The word 'Koireng', believed to be termed by the Meiteis is, is a corrupt version of the word, Kolren (Kol=east, Ren= people) or 'Koren'. It is often confused with Koirao/ Quoireng which is the alternate name for the Lyangmei/ Liangmei Naga tribes of Manipur. They belong to the Old Kuki group of clans and have some linguistic and cultural affinities with some of the neighbouring kindred people such as the Aimol, the Thikhup, the Purum and the Kharam tribes of Manipur and the Ranglong, the Hrangkhol and the Biete tribes of NC Hills, Assam.Mythology
The Koireng Cosmogony myth exists in different versions namely:(i) Emerging of two heterogenesis human progenitors from non-human beings and
(ii) Ancestors believed to have emerged out of a Khur, cave.
According to the first version, in the hoary past, when there was no evidence of human beings except the divine beings, on Yeisupn (Earth) two fungus like plants, grew up at Yaolkik and Yaolkak. On seeing these two plants, the divine beings were very much struck with fear; the objects could not be cleft thoroughly.
One was cut deeply in middle and it turned into Tulong (woman) and identified as Roltei while the other was cut in a slanting position thereby producing pointed parts and the very being became Tumong (man) who came to be Known as Rolphun. By their union seven sons were born. They in order of their seniority were: Song, Yei, Teltu, Thamthu, Uirei, Khuonglung and Miriem(Miriem-Mikan) from whom the seven clans of Koireng were born. The clans of Uirei, Thamthu, and Khuonglung are extinct. The Miriem and Makan clans are believed to have imbibed themselves to kindred tribes like Chothe, Aimol, Thikhup (Muntuck), Kharam and Tuisimi(Maring). Thamthus are believed to have been absorbed among the Hmar people.
The other version revolves within the myth of emergence of their forefathers out of a khur (cave), according to which they are known as Khurmi (Khur=cave, mi=man). But they could not recount reminiscences about the exact location of the legendary cave.
Though the exact site remains unknown, Kolram, the eastern land is believed to be somewhere around the Irrawady floodplain of Burma and the Lushai-Chin Hills. Their journey was from Upper Burma through different regions of Burma, across the Chindwin Basin Hill and then into the Lushai Hills, and finally to Manipur through Churanchandpur district.
Traditional Attires
Important dress and customs are(i) Puonthal (for males), Puonwom, Murkisen, thaite (turban) and
(ii) Puonhem (for females)-ascribing higher status for being adorn with it. Puonsen, Saipikhup, Lung-um, Puonkok-hoi, Puon-lang, Korr-aam (the latter two clothes are waist belts).
Koireng women use ornaments with Har (armlet), Yak-serr (armlet), Rikarui (a necklace of red beads).
Koireng men of high social hierarchy decorate themselves with a fur of matured red goat's hair during important festivities. Musical instruments used are Khuong (drum), Roshem (a bagpiper-like musical instrument made of dried reeds and matured hollowed-out gourd), Sekhi (horn), Sum (gong) of various sizes, Serang-dar (a violin-like stringed instrument), etc.
Household implements like spear, dao, guns, fishing basket
Fishing basket
A fishing basket is a basket used for fishing. The manufacture of fishing baskets can provide income for tribal peoples.-History:The ancient Egyptians used weir baskets made from willow branches to fish the Nile river....
s, carrying baskets, hoe, plough, yoke etc. were used.
Religion
From the beginning, the Koirengs have always believed in the existence of a supreme creator whom they refer to as Pathien. Old pagan rituals are no longer in practice. Today, leaving a few aged individuals, Koirengs have embraced Christianity.Economy
The Koireng economy persists mainly on agriculture which they carry on by both wet method and shifting cultivation. Paddy, potato, ginger, yongcha (Parkia speciosaParkia speciosa
Parkia speciosa is a plant of the genus Parkia in the family Fabaceae...
), etc., are some of the main products. Gathering economy and basket products for commercial goods form trade and market. Hunting in the form of sports is persistent during off-seasons in the villages of Thanglong, Utonglok and Sadu.
Koirengs: Past and Present
The Koirengs' last colonial stronghold, as they entered Manipur, was the Thangjing hill range overlooking the pristine Loktak lake. Thangjing is derived from the Koren words, Thang = South, Ching=hill. Their historic dominance of this region was a constant eyesore to the erstwhile kingdom of MoirangMoirang
Moirang is a city and a municipal council in Bishnupur district in the Indian state of Manipur.Moirang is a town situated in the north east of India, 45 km from Imphal, Manipur. The Moirang C.D. Block came into existence on 4 April 1985 with its headquarters at Moirang Khunou about 1.5 km...
clan. This proximity led to numerous aggressions. The Koirengs, already weakened after a major infernal disaster, were terribly defeated at the end. They ultimately underwent a diaspora in various parts of Manipur and North-East India. Today, the Koirengs (Korens) are sparsely scattered around the surrounding foothills of the Imphal valley of Manipur, NE India.
Tuiruong tiengmo chesik?
Tuivai tiengmo chesik? (Old Koren Saying)