Koireng

Infobox Ethnic group
group = Koireng Alternative names:
Koren, Kolhen,kolhreng, Kolren
population = 1056 (2001 census)
region1 = flag|India flag|Burma During British India
pop1 =
ref1 =
languages = Koren, Manipuri, English
religions = Christianity
related = Other Kuki-Chin
footnotes =

Koirengs are one of the indigenous peoples inhabiting Manipur in North-East India.They belong to the Old Kuki Clans of the vastly spread Kuki-Chin group of peoples populating India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. They have a shared common ancestry, history, cultural traits, folklores 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-statured, 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 term 'Koireng' is a corrupt version of the word, 'Kolren'("Kol"=east, "Ren"= people) or 'Koren', and is believed to be termed by the Meiteis. Korens belong to the Old Kuki Group and have some linguistic and cultural affinities with some of the neighbouring kindred tribes such as the Aimols, Purums, Kharams, etc.of Manipur and the Ranglongs, Hrangkhols, Bietes, etc. of NC Hills, Assam.

The Koireng Cosmogony myth exists in different versions namely (i) Emerging of two heterogenesis human progenitors from non-human beings and (ii) ancestors believe to have emerged out of the cave, Khur.

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 Rolphul. By their union seven sons were born. They in order of their seniority were: Song, Yei, Teltu, Thamthu, Uirei, Khuonglung and Meriem (or Miriem Mikan) from whom the seven clans of Koireng were born. The clans of Uirei, Thamthu, and Khuonglung are extinct. The Marims and Makans are believed to have imbibed themselves to kindred tribes like Chothes, Aimol, Thikhups (Mantak), Kharams and Tuisimis (Maring). Thamthus are believed to have been absorbed among the Hmar people.

The other version revolves within the faith of emergence of their forefathers out of a 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.

When they came out of the cave, they encountered a tiger at the mouth of the cave and were devoured by the tiger. However, Neiruong, a man of the Song clan wearing a "Pounthal" (Poun=cloth, thal=arrows), a shawl with patterns resembling the skin of tiger, was spared from being killed.

Since then, it is believed that members of the Song clan are tabooed from eating cats, tigers and tokapa (an animal of cat family), and likewise, the tiger does not harm them.

Though the exact site remains unknown, Kolram, the eastern land is believed to be somewhere around The Irrawady and Chinwin floodplains of Burma. They moved through different regions of Burma from Upper Burma across the Chindwin Basin Hill and then into the Lushai Hills, and finally to Manipur through Churanchandpur district.

Traditional Attires

Their important dress and customs are (i) puonthal (especially for males), Puonwom, Murkisen thaite (turban) and (ii) for females Puonhem (ascribing higher status for being adorn with it), Ponsen, Saipikhup, Lung-um, Puonkok-hoi, Puon-lang, Koram (the latter two clothes are waist belts). The Koireng women use ornaments with Har (armlet), Yakseir (armlet) - all made of beads and Rikarui (necklace of red beads). The Koireng men use feathers of hen and fur of goat to decorate along with turban. Musical instruments they use to rejoice with are Khuong (drum) Rushem (Bagpipe), Sekhi (horn), Sum (gong), Serang-dar (stringed instrument) etc.Majority of the Korens are cultivators and practise shifting cultivation. Hunting is still prevalent as a sport. Earlier implements like spear, fishing basket, carrying baskets, hoe, plough, yoke etc. were used. Youths are nominally Christians, but old pagan practices linger on. However, non-Christian and Christian elders alike these days enjoy privilege for Chieftainship. Traditional rules to impose fine to wrong doers exists in each village although they might be different from village to village.The supreme God is Pathian and next to Him is Inn-Pathian (House-god). An individual's life is entwined in the rite-de-passage that runs from "nailu-woi" (child's naming ceremony) on the third day of a birth; "Theikal", ceremony to strengthen limbs of the child who are 15 day old; "Mason", the ceremony performed to recognize the child as human and allowed to wear earrings; marriage that prevails as "moi-ruoi" (engagement) or "ataan" (elopement) or "Keitout".

Festivals

Some festivals of the koirengs are:
* Bedel: It is the Genna in the month Tuolbol (Jan-Feb) before which the growing of crop is forbidden. Offerings are made to the goddess - who was the daughter of Miriem, taken by Lord Thangjing as his wife when she was a sacred virgin near a pool/rivulet. This festival is no more celebrated.
* Palchoi: It is a religious service to liberate them from disasters. At the village gate, the Khullakpa worship with wine and creepers of costus ap and after completion he is brought on the back of a Changloi.
* Kangrai Mindai: It is a three days festival in the month of Phurpa (May-June). On the first day, village elders worship (Yupanthaba) Pathian at the gate with wine along with pig, hen and a dog, which the anterior portion is feasted after the rite. Lomnur (leader of boys) and Tamsai (leader of girls) are selected on the second day, they consume cooked remaining meat of the previous day and entertain by cutting jokes and singing song, but there is no dancing. On the third day, youngster fetch flower, firewood and a bundle of firewood is kept in front of each house. In the evening, a tug of war, won compulsorily by Khulenlom is arranged between Khumlon (upper group) and Khulenton (lower group). Afterwards, there is Meiomlam dancing and singing.
* Chaonlei: It is a religious service observed in Inga for prosperous growing of crops. At present, it is combined with Charaikhei ritual for healthy growing of crops.
* Tuikuong Khuor: In Jingpi (Aug-Sep) month, water spirit is worshipped at a water hole and waterways are cleared. In addition, use of fishing net on this day is tabooed.
* Lamkir Lei: Megalith erected areas are cleared and there yupanthaba is done.
* Chamer Sier: On the first day of these two days festival, village elders ritualistically offer wine, dog, pig and hen at the village gate and enjoy the flavor of the meat. On this day, village elders throw torches (Meihaol) in between houses so as to exorcise evil spirits from the village. On the last day, nisolam dance is performed by 4/5 men holding spears in gala dress and Kalamchei dance by the assistants of newly installed noblemen is held. On this day, a bamboo post is erected by each family.
* Lamthel Lei: In this road/village cleaning festival, at Panthong, the village elders string the gate with creepers and folk song telling the tales of mythical hero Neisong is sung. Khullakpa and a newly installed officer are brought back on the backs of Changlois.
* Chathar Lei: It is the festival of Koirengs enoying the first taste of harvested product celebrated in the month of Thapal (Nov-Dec).
* Lengwai: It is celebrated on the very next day of Chathar Lei. On this day, sisters' sons are feasted by maternal uncles.
* Chalam Kei: This divine service that includes harvested crop as requisite item is officiated by Khullakpa in Birip (Dec-Jan). The village is genna that day going nowhere.

Economy

The Koireng economy persists mainly on agriculture which they carry on by both shifting and wet cultivation method. Paddy, potato, ginger, ("yongcha")"Parkia javanica", etc, are the main products. Gathering economy and basket products for commercial goods form trade and market. Hunting in the form of sports is still persistent during off seasons in the villages of Thanglong, Utonglok and Sadu.

Koirengs: Past and Present

Their historic dominance of the Thangjing Hills was an eyesore to the erstwhile kingdom of Moirang which led to constant aggressions between the two ethnic groups and ultimately, the decline of the Koirengs (Source: Chronicles of Moirang). Thangjing is derived from the Koren words, Thang = South, Ching=hill.

Subsequently, the Korens underwent a diaspora to various parts of Manipur and Northeast India.

Presently, the Koirengs (Korens) are sparsely scattered around the surrounding foothills of the Imphal valley of Manipur, NE India. The present geographic locations of their dwellings include:
* Longa Koireng Village a.k.a. Thanglong (or Thangram) (17 km),
* Sadu Koireng Village a.k.a. Tungluong (or Sakram) (37 km),
* Awang Longa Koireng (27 km),
* Utonglok Koren (27 km) and
* Kamu Koireng a.k.a Natok koren (25 km) in Senapati District;
* Ngairuong Village in Churachandpur District;
* Tarung (3 km) and Thangmeiband Koren Colony (1 km) in Imphal district

(All distances given are from Imphal).

Tuiruong tiengmo chesik? Tuivai tiengmo chesik?

References

* http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.Ethnic_Races_Sanathong.KOIRENG
* http://www.ethnologue.org/show_lang_family.asp?code=nkd
* http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php
* Shakespear, J.,1922.Tangkhul Folk Tales and Notes on Some Festivals of the Hill Tribes South of Assam. pp-14
* Shakespear, J.,(1909) The Kuki-Lushai Clans. The Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland. Vol. 39 (Jul., 1909), pp. 371-385
* McCulloch/ Major W., 'Account of the valley of Munnipore and of the Hill Tribes'. Selections from the Records of the Government of India, No. 27 (Calcutta) 1859
* Grierson, G. A. (Ed.) (1904b). Tibeto-Burman Family: Specimens of the Kuki-Chin and Burma Groups, # Volume III Part III of Linguistic Survey of India. Office of the Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta.