Published Paper Details:

The Meitei Pangal Community is one of the major ethnic groups while Meitei being the largest community inhabiting in the Manipur valley. They comprise of 8.40 percent of the total population of the state and majority Meitei community representing about 53 percent. They have been playing major roles in the socio-economic development of Manipuri society thereby earning a unique position for them. Meitei Pangal began to settle in 1606 A.D in Manipur during the time of King Khagemba (1597- 1652) as recorded in Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Royal Chronicles of Manipur. They assimilated into Meitei society by marrying Meitei women. Meiteilon (Meitei Language) is adopted as their mother tongue. They practice the Meitei way of living and culture though they profess Islam religion and strictly following the Islamic code of conduct and the Islamic Sariyat (Law). The main objective is to study on the customary rituals and practices of birth amongst Meitei Pangal. Descriptive and explorative research methods will be employed. The present study is based on field work, open ended interviews of Moulavis and other Islamic Scholars. Royal Chronicles (Cheitharol Kumpaba and Ningthourol Lampuba), Puyas (archaic manuscripts), foreigners accounts, books, newspapers, magazines are taken as literary sources.