Industry
Manipur has made some progress in the setting up of small scale industrial units of which some 7700 have been set up. A joint sector plant to manufacture drugs and pharmaceuticals has been commissioned and electronic goods, Steel fabrication articles and plastic goods are being produced in the state. A cement plant has also come up in Manipur. Among other industries a spinning mill, a ghee manufacturing unit and similar factories to make other consumer products.
However, agriculture is still the single largest source of livelihood, for a majority of the rural masses, and the state economy depends on it. Paddy is the main crop grown. Manipuri rice is very sweet. It can be eaten without curry. Other crops are wheat, pulses, maize etc. The soil in Manipur is considered fit for all kinds of grain crops, vegetables and fruits.
People
There is not much of historical evidence available on the origin of the people of Manipur. There are different schools of thought regarding the origin. Some people considered Manipuris as the descendants of Tartar Colony from China. Others considered that the Manipuris were descendants of the surrounding hill tribes i.e. the big race of Nagas which was once in existence in many parts of the world. Some believe that Manipuris are a fine stalwart race descended from an Indo-Chinese stock, with some admixture of Aryan blood.
The population of Manipur comprises different social groups. They are Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and other miscellaneous groups. The entire population of Manipur is distributed into two regions: the hill population and the valley population. The concept of unity in diversity has been a remarkable characteristic of this state. In the history of Manipur there has not been even a single instance of communal or ethnic dispute. But in recent times, Manipur has been the scene of bitter ethnic conflict. The ethnic animosity between the Kukis and the Nagas stems from xenophobic insecurity.
The people of Manipur are simple and largely untouched by the pollution of modern living. They love an outdoor life, find communion with nature and depend on the gifts of nature like rice for food, fish to supplement their dish. The Meitei language, which is the official state language is basically the language of the valley people and other dialects spoken by the tribes in the hills are classified under Tibeto-Burman family. The majority population of the entire state is under the religious fold of Hinduism, especially in the valley. There is no trace of Buddhism having been established here in any period of history. Christianity, introduced by the British as a policy was not embraced by Meiteis in the valley but attracted almost entire hill tribes.
Manipuri Culture
Manipur is known for its rich culture, which has maintained its links with the culture of the rest of the country. The most famous Manipuri traditions are the Manipuri dance, games and the bright festivals. Manipur presents a mosaic of traditions and cultural patterns.
Manipuri Dance - the Manipuri style of classical dance is world famous and is very distinct from other Indian dance forms. The Manipuri school of dancing whether folk, classical or modern, is devotional in nature. The rich culture and tradition of Manipur is also depicted in its handloom clothes and handicrafts. The Manipuri handloom and handicraft are world famous for its craftsmanship as well as ingenuity and colors.
Traditional Games - The tradition of sports dates back to the ancient history of Manipur - a history of small kingdoms which were in keen competition with one another. Wars among themselves and with the Burmese resulted in a martial tradition which in turn gave due impetus to the development of indigenous games.
- Sagol Kangjei(Polo) - The Manipuri Sagol Kangjei has been adopted internationally as Polo and is now being played worldwide. History traces it to the mythological age when the game was played by gods. The British learned the game of Sagol Kangjei in the 19th Century from Manipur, and after refinement it was transplanted to other countries as Polo.
- Thang Ta & Sarit Sarak (Manipuri Martial Arts) - These are the Manipuri Martial Arts, the traditions of which had been passed down over the centuries. It is a very energetic and skillful art and is a way to hone one's battle craft. Long and precise practice and a strong and athletic body is key requirement for excelling this craft.
- Hiyang Tanaba (Boat Race) - It is generally held in the month of November at Thangapat (a long man-made stretch of water). The boats called Hiyang Hiren are regarded to be invested with spiritual powers and the game is associated with religious rites. The Meiteis believe that worship of the Hiyang Hiren will negate evil omens. Hence, the game is also conducted during the times of natural calamity.
- Mukna (Manipuri Wrestling) - This game is the Manipuri style of wrestling played between two male rivals for trial of strength by sheer physical strength and skill. The game is an absolute must for the closing ceremonies of the Lai Haraoba festival. Mukna is a highly popular and prestigious game that used to enjoy royal patronage.
Festivals - Manipur is a land of festivities and merriments all round the year. To the Manipuris, festivals are the symbols of their cultural, social and religious aspirations which, besides removing the monotony of life by providing physical diversions and mental recreation, help them lead a better and fuller life.
- Ningol Chakouba - the social festival of Manipuris : It is a remarkable social festival of the Meiteis. Married women of the family, married off to distant places, come to the parental house along with her children and enjoy a sumptuous feast. It is a form of family reunion to revive familial affection.
- Yaoshang - the premier festival of Manipur Hindus: Celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of Phalguna (February/March), Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur. The Thabal Chongba, a kind of Manipuri folk dance where boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle, is associated with this festival. Yaosang to Manipur is what Durga Puja is to Bengal, Diwali to North India and Bihu to Assam.
- Cheiraoba - The Manipur New Year: During the festival, people clean and decorate their houses and prepare special festive dishes which are first offered to various deities. Celebrated during the month of April, a part of the ritual entails villagers climbing the nearest hill tops in belief that it will enable them to rise to greater heights in their worldly life. The Pangals (Manipuri Muslims) also observe it.
Places to Visit
Manipur is a fascinating destination for tourists. Legend says that the discovery of Manipur is the result of the delight the Gods took in dancing. Blessed with a healthy climate, famous for its distinctive cultural pattern and its evergreen scenic beauty, Manipur always extends a cordial invitation to the tourists.
- Loktak Lake and Sendra Island – At a distance of 48 km. from Imphal, the capital of Manipur, this is a huge and beautiful stretch of water, much like a miniature inland sea. From the Tourist Bungalow, set atop Sendra island, visitors can get a bird's eye view of the lake and the life on it, the fisherman and their families who live in neat huts on its shores and who make full use of their watery environment. They cast their nets on it, rear fish farms in it using nets as floating walls, harvest it for the water chestnut known as Heikak, and even build their houses on the islands of floating weed on the lake.
- Shree Shree Govindajee Temple - This temple adjoining the palace of the former rulers of Manipur, is a historic centre for Vaisnavites. It is a simple and beautiful structure with gold domes, a paved court and a large, raised congregation hall. The presiding deity in the centre is flanked by idols of Radha Govinda, Balaram and Krishna on one side and Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra on the other.
- Keibul Lamjao National Park – At a distance of 53 kms. from Imphal and on the fringes of Loktak Lake, this is the last natural habitat of the endangered marsh-dwelling brow-antlered deer of Manipur called "Sangai". The uniqueness of this particular park is that it is the only floating national park in the world and the sole habitat of the Sangai deer across the world. The park is composed of large masses of floating weed (called "Phumdi" in local dialect). These phumdi can support a lot of weight. Migratory fishermen build houses on these floating islands of weed that float around the lake.
