Manipuri Brahmin
Manipuri Brahmins (Meitei: Manipuri Bamon) or Meitei Brahmins (Meitei: Meitei Bamon) are the Brahmins who speak the Meitei language (aka Manipuri language) as their native tongue and mainly reside in the valley areas of Manipur.
_written_in_Meitei_script.jpg.webp) "Meitei Bamon" (literally meaning "Meitei Brahmin" in Meitei language) written in Meitei script | |
| Languages | |
|---|---|
| Sanskrit (sacred), Meitei (officially called Manipuri) | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism (Manipuri Vaishnavism) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Brahmin groups: |
| Part of a series on |
| Meitei people |
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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
The recording of the migration of Brahmins from other parts of India,[1][3] including Bengal, Mithila, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha to the Manipur Valley was started from the 15th century.[1][2] The appearance of Brahmins in Manipur in the 15th century may be due to the rise of Muslim power in Bengal.[4] Followed by a steady stream of Brahmin migration to Manipur who were brought in based on their requirements after the adoption of Vaishnavism in Manipur. These Brahmins learned the Manipuri language, mixed the customs they brought in with the local customs which are acceptable to Brahmin culture and became a part of the larger Manipuri society.[1][3]
Notable people
- Aribam Shyam Sharma, filmmaker and composer.
- Atombapu Sharma, Sanskrit scholar, journalist and social reformer.
- Bachaspatimayum Jayantakumar Sharma, Manipuri music lyricist.
- Gurumayum Bonny Sharma, Manipuri film actor.
- Hanjabam Radhe Devi, Padmashree awardee, traditional bridal wear designer.[5]
- Kakchingtabam Sanathoiba Sharma, Padmashree awardee, Manipuri Martial arts guru.[6]
- Shanglakpam Nilakanta Sharma, Indian field hockey player.
References
- Sen, Sipra (1992). Tribes and Castes of Manipur: Description and Select Bibliography. New Delhi: K.M. Rai Mittal for Mittal Publications. pp. 68–69. ISBN 81-7099-310-5.
- Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal (1986). The History of Manipur. Manipur Commercial Co.
- Prakash, Ved (2007). Encyclopedia of North-East India, Volume 4. New Delhi: ATLANTIC. p. 1540. ISBN 978-81-269-0706-9.
- Robinson, Rowena (2004). Sociology of Religion in India. New Delhi: Sage Publications India Pvt Ltd. pp. 125–126. ISBN 81-7829-255-6.
- "88-Year-Old Manipuri Textile Veteran Awarded Padma Shri". femina.in. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
- "Padma Shri-awardee Kakchingtabam Sanathoiba Sharma says 'Thang-Ta' much popular now". The Economic Times. Retrieved 29 January 2023.