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Thadou people are an indigenous ethnic group of Chin-Kuki inhabiting
North-east India , native_name_lang = mni , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , image_alt = , image_caption = , motto = , image_map = Northeast india.png , ...
. Thadou is a dialect of the
Tibeto-Burman The Tibeto-Burman languages are the non- Sinitic members of the Sino-Tibetan language family, over 400 of which are spoken throughout the Southeast Asian Massif ("Zomia") as well as parts of East Asia and South Asia. Around 60 million people spea ...
family. They are the second largest in terms of population in Manipur, next to Meetei according to Manipur census 2011. Thadou population have been reported only in India, some small population have settled in Nagaland, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Delhi. Thadous share a common culture with all the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community.


Religion

A great majority of the Thadou people are
Christians Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words '' Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρ ...
.
Christianity Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
among the Thadous can be traced back to an Anglican named William Pettigrew who worked in
Manipur Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of ...
as a missionary from 1894. The 100th anniversary of the Thadou people embracing Christianity was held at Motbung,
Sadar Hills Sadar Hills is a geographic area in the state of Manipur in North East India. People Sadar Hills is inhabited by heterogeneous ethnic groups with inherent socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, including the indigenous Kukis, the Nepalis and ...
,
Manipur Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of ...
,
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
on 13 December 2008 under the aegis of the Thadou Baptist Association.


History

The Thadou people believed that Chongthu, a great Chief of the Thadous, emerged out from a cave called "Chinlung or
Shinlung The Bnei Menashe ( he, בני מנשה, "Children of Menasseh", known as the Shinlung in India) is a community of people from various Tibeto-Burmese ethnic groups from the border of India and Burma who claim descent from one of the Lost Tribes ...
or Khul" the location of which was believed to be somewhere in
Central China Central China () is a geographical and a loosely defined cultural region that includes the provinces of Henan, Hubei and Hunan. Jiangxi is sometimes also regarded to be part of this region. Central China is now officially part of South Centra ...
, whereas others claimed it to be in
Tibet Tibet (; ''Böd''; ) is a region in East Asia, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau and spanning about . It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people. Also resident on the plateau are some other ethnic groups such as Monpa, Taman ...
. (Ginzatuang 1973:5) Mc. Culloch (1857:55). Those ancestors emerging from the cave include Chongthu/Songthu, Khupngam, Vangalpa and some clansmen, leaving behind Noimangpa, Chongja and others of the group. William Shaw's (1929) description about the origin of Thadou is recorded from collected oral traditionals. According to the Thadou narrative recorded by Shaw (1929), Noimangpa was the chief of subterranean region. Chongthu, a relative of Noimangpa, while hunting in the jungle with his dog, discovered a large cave. Chongthu, rejoiced at this discovery, gave up his hunting and went back to his village. He conjured up ideas of forming his own village on the earth. Meanwhile, Noimangpa the chief of the underworld was performing the 'chon' festival, in which everyone including Chongja, the elder brother of Chongthu, Noimangpa's son Chonkim participated. During this feast Chongthu started waving his sword so vigorously that he injured some of the people present, at which all were annoyed. This action of Chongthu was premeditated so that he can find an excuse to go to the upper world to form a village of his own. When Noimangpa learned of this he wanted Chongthu dead. Chongthu on hearing Noimangpa's wrath, prepared to leave for the uninhabited earth, 'khul', as spoken of by the Thadous. So, Chongja and Chongthu along with the cavemen feasted before their departure. On their journey to the upper crust of the earth there was a great darkness, which lasted for seven days and seven nights, called “Thimzin” by the Thadous. They found a stone blocking their passage out and after making many attempts Chongja and party gave up and returned to Noimangpa and reported the result'. Pi Nemneh, wife of Songja, cursed Chongthu and party for leaving them at doom in 'Khul'. It is also believed that Chongja, Noimangpa and other clansmen who were left behind are assimilated with the
Chinese Chinese can refer to: * Something related to China * Chinese people, people of Chinese nationality, citizenship, and/or ethnicity **''Zhonghua minzu'', the supra-ethnic concept of the Chinese nation ** List of ethnic groups in China, people of ...
and
Japanese Japanese may refer to: * Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia * Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan * Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture ** Japanese diaspor ...
people.


Kuki rebellion

As a mark of protest against the
British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...
and to stop further recruitment of the Thadous and its cognate tribes in the non-combatant force at the battlefront in
France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Its metropolitan area ...
in the
First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
as per the appeal received from the
Secretary of State for India His (or Her) Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for India, known for short as the India Secretary or the Indian Secretary, was the British Cabinet minister and the political head of the India Office responsible for the governance of th ...
,
London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...
, in his telegram dated 28 January 1917, the Thadous in Manipur fought against the British in the month of December 1917. The Chief of Aisan, Chengjapao Doungel, who was the "Piba" or head of the Thadou tribe, sent orders to all the leading Thadou chiefs to resist the British with force, if necessary. A very important meeting was held at Jampi Village. The chiefs who attended the meeting were: #Pu Khotinthang Sitlhou alias Kilkhong, Chief of Jampi #Pu Khupkhotintong (Tintong) Haokip #Pu Songchung Sitlhou, Chief of Sangnao #Pu Lunkholal Sitlhou, Chief of Chongjang #Pu Vumngul Kipgen, Chief of Tujang #Pu Lhunjangul Kipgen, son of Vumngul Kipgen #Pu Enjakhup Kholhou, Chief of Thenjang #Pu Leothang Haokip, Chief of Goboh #Pu Mangkho-on Haokip, Chief of Tingkai #Pu Heljason Haokip, Chief of Loibol #Pu Onpilen Haokip, Chief of Joupi #Pu Onpilal Haokip, Chief of Santing #Pu Jamkhokhup, Chief of Boljang #Pu Nguljahen Haokip of Boljang Khotinthang Sitlhou (Kilkhong), the Chief of Jampi killed one Mithun to entertain the chiefs and "Sajam" was distributed to all the chiefs. Thus, a powerful conspiracy of the Thadou chiefs was established. And the Singson chief cut off the tail of a mithun as a mark of declaration of war against the British government on behalf of his clan. In Manipur, the rebellion spread like wild-fire, particularly in the Kuki inhabited areas – Jampi, Dulen, Sangnao, Khauchangbung and Laijang in the west; Chasat and Maokot in the east; Mombi and Lonza in the south-east and Henglep and Loikhai/Ukha in the southwest. After many months of aggressive fight between the tenacious Thadou warriors and the mighty British force the Kuki Rebellion finally came to an end on 20 May 1919, with the subjugation of the Thadous by the British Rulers. The colonial authorities recorded it as "Kuki Rebellion". however, the Thadou and its cognate tribes called it Thadou gal. Sir Nicholar Beatson Bell, the former
Chief Commissioner of Assam This is a list of governors of Assam, and other offices of similar scope, from the start of British occupation of the area in 1824 during the First Anglo-Burmese War. The Governor of Assam is a nominal head and representative of the President ...
, also said that the Kuki Rebellion, 1917–19 was confined entirely to the Thadous.


Modern history

Thadousare the single largest tribe in Manipur as per population census 2011. has been recognised as Scheduled Tribe in India since 1956. The followings covered under the Amended Vide Govt. of India Ministry of Law Notification Order No. S.R.O. 2477A, dated 29 October 1956, New Delhi, India. Thadou subgroups (clans) are as follows. # Guite #Doungel #Sitlhou #Singsit #Lhouvum #Lhoujem #Thomsong #Singson #Sitkil #Chongthu #Kipgen #Haokip #Chongloi #Hangshing #Touthang #Lotjem #Haolai #Tuboi #Misao #Sa-um #Khuolhou #Mate #Baite #Lhungdim #Ngailut #Kiloung #Insun #Jongbe #Lenthang #Thangngeo #Lhang'um #Khongthang #Lunkim


Marriage

There are four forms of
marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...
s among the Thadou: , , , and . Sahapsat and jol-lhah' are non-ceremonial betrothal forms akin to
elopement Elopement is a term that is used in reference to a marriage which is conducted in a sudden and secretive fashion, usually involving a hurried flight away from one's place of residence together with one's beloved with the intention of getting ma ...
. The first of these forms involves the following elements. #The negotiation of a bride-price between the parents of the groom and the parents of the bride (however one must note that the concept of 'bride price' mentioned here is very different from the Hindu concept of the '
dowry system The dowry system in India refers to the durable goods, cash, and real or movable property that the bride's family gives to the groom, his parents and his relatives as a condition of the marriage. Dowry is referred to dahez in Hindi and as ''jahez ...
') #The establishment of a date for the departure of the bride from her parents' house to that of her husband #The sending (by the groom) of strong young men to bring the bride to her new home; ceremonial feasting and wrestling then followed #The triumphant return of the groom's representatives with the bride The 'sahapsat' marriage form contains only the marital negotiations between families. The marriage is resorted to in the case of a pregnancy resulting from premarital relationships. In this case, a bride-price is usually agreed upon before the cohabitation process, which begins immediately when the pregnancy is discovered. The is a marital arrangement that results from the union of two parties Without the consent of the parents of either bride, groom, or both by eloping. The bride-price is settled at some point after the union takes place. Post-marital residence is patrilocal. Inheritance is exclusively through the male line, i.e., eldest son. Thadou women are the chief agents of socialisation among the Thadou society. Children are permitted a great degree of independence once they learn to walk. Little structured education is provided by the parents, thereby leaving the Thadou child to learn through experiential means.


Literature

Dr. G.C. Crozier along with his wife Mrs M.B. Crozier and Pu Ngulhao Thomsong worked in full co-operation to translate the
Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts ...
especially in Thadou after obtaining permission from the British and Foreign Bible Society. Pu Ngulhao earlier works included, 1: Pathen La- 1922, 2: Thukidong leh Kidonbut – 1924, 3: Pathen Thu – 1925, 4:
John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...
Sut Kipana Thupha- 1925, 5: Lung Phatvet- 1930, 6:
Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...
Mite Henga
Paul Paul may refer to: *Paul (given name), a given name (includes a list of people with that name) * Paul (surname), a list of people People Christianity *Paul the Apostle (AD c.5–c.64/65), also known as Saul of Tarsus or Saint Paul, early Chri ...
Lekha Thot – 1933. The first edition of "Lekha bul:Thadou Kuki first primer" was written by Pu Ngulhao Thomsong in 1927. Pu Longkhobel Kilong (1922) and was another native scholar of this period.


References


Other sources

*Shaw, William. 1929. Notes on the Thadou kuki. *Shakespear, J. Part I, London, 1912, The Lushai Kuki Clans. Aizawl : Tribal Research Unit. *Tribal Research Institute. 1994. The Tribes of Mizoram. (A Dissertation) Aizawl: Tribal Research Institute, Directorate of Art and Culture. *The Socio-Economics Of Linguistic Identity A Case Study In The Lushai Hills. Satarupa Dattamajumdar, Ph.D. *Lieut. R. Stewart in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal (1857). entitled "A slight notice of the Grammar of Thadou or New Kookie language."


External links

* * * {{Authority control Kuki tribes Ethnic groups in India Ethnic groups in Myanmar Ethnic groups in Bangladesh Scheduled Tribes of Manipur