Manipuri Brahmin
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 131,000[citation needed] | |
| Languages | |
| Meitei | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Meiteis Other Brahmin groups - Bengali Brahmins, Utkala Brahmins,[1] Maithil Brahmins, Nagar Brahmins[2][page needed] |
Manipuri Brahmins or Meitei Brahmins, also called Bamons by the locals, are those Brahmins who reside mainly in the valley areas of Manipur.
Description
Manipuri Brahmin origins stretch as far as Bengal, Odisha and other parts of India.[1] Each Brahmin family within the community belongs to a specific gotra indicating their origin. They have many clans of Maithil Brahmins.
Ethnicity, origin and history
In the 15th century Indo-Aryan Bramhins [1][3] migrated from other parts of India, including Bengal, Mithila, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Odisha to the Manipur Valley.[1][2][page needed] They converted the local Meiteis to Vaishnavism, and admitted most of them into the Kshatriya varna, later intermixing with those Meitei Kshatriyas to become the Manipuri Brahmins.[1][4] Though historically exogenous, in modern times, the Manipuri Brahmins are an endogamous group.[1]
They were instrumental in the spread of Hinduism (especially Vaishnavism) in Manipur.
Language
Manipuri Brahmins speak manipuri as their first language.
References
- ^ a b c d e f Sen, Sipra (1992). Tribes and Castes of Manipur: Description and Select Bibliography. A-100, Mohan Garden, New Delhi-110059: K.M. Rai Mittal for Mittal Publications. pp. 68–69. ISBN 81-7099-310-5.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ a b Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal (1986). The History of Manipur. Manipur Commercial Co.
- ^ Prakash, Ved (2007). Encyclopedia of North-East India, Volume 4. B-2, Vishal Enclave, Opp. Rajouri Garden, New Delhi- 110027: ATLANTIC. p. 1540. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link) - ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization · Volume 4. Mittal Publications. p. 259.