THE TANGKHUL tribe inhabits the eastern region of Manipur, primarily in the Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, with settlements extending into the Imphal East district, Tengnoupal district, Thoubal district, and the Sadar area of Senapati district, which is now known as Kangpokpi district. Additionally, there are numerous Tangkhul villages in Myanmar, particularly along the Somra Tract. Traditionally, the people are grouped according to their migration waves, sharing close cultural and social ties. The Tangkhuls are traditionally divided into seven topographical settings.
In modern times, the Tangkhul Naga Long, the apex body representing the Tangkhul tribe, governs its jurisdiction through regional divisions: North, East, South, and West, referred to as Ato, Aze, Zingtun, and Zingsho Longphang, respectively. The names of the villages listed here are sourced from the gazette of the Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long (Tangkhul Chiefs’ Association) and the Tangkhul Naga Baptist Association in Myanmar. The information provided is primarily derived from the Tangkhul Tui Ngashan Mashanshim, TNL (Tangkhul Language & Cultural Research Council), and oral accounts from octogenarians, based on the traditional topographical settings.
Article | Ownership of LUIRIM Kachon
KHARAO 18 villages
- Khampha
- Teinem
- Phalee
- Shongrān
- Talui
- Ngainga̱
- Kachai
- Hoomi
- Theivā
- Tingshong
- Maichon
- Aheng (Torā)
- Champhung
- C. Changta (hamlet)
- Tanrui
- Tanrui shimhon (hamlet)
- L. Phungthar
- Sinakeithei
KATHUR /KATHWE 35 villages - Ringui
- Lamlang-
- Seikhor (hamlet)
- Pharung
- Ta̱shar
- Ta̱shar Chanhong
- Hatha
- Ramva̱
- Raodei
- Shokvao
- Koso
- Leishi
- Leiting
- Lungshang
- Lungshang CT
- Nungou,Ato
- Nunguo Aze
- Phalang
- H. Godah
- Shangching
- S. Lungreiphung (hamlet)
- Shangshak Khullen
- Shangshak Phunghon
- Shakok
- Hungpung
- Sharkaphung
- S. Laho (hamlet)
- Changa
- Litan Sareikhong
KHAORUI 4 villages; many villages in the area have been deserted due to ethnic conflicts, and some have been forcefully occupied by refugees.) - Hongmāhn
- Mapao Zingsho
- Mapao Zingtun
- Seitangphung
VEIKHANG 5 villages - Khāngkhui Khullen
- Khāngkhui Khunou
- Choithar
- Nungshong Khunou/Lungshong Kasār
- Nungshong Khullen
RAPHEI/Yangreiram 24 villages - Halang
- Hunphun
- Kalhāng
- Luireishimphung (hamlet)
- Kuirei
- Longpi Kajui
- Nungbi khullen
- Lunghar
- Peh
- Phungcham
- Paorei (hamlet)
- Varangalai (hamlet)
- Langdāng
- Shirui Chingthak
- Shirui Chingkha
- Khamsom
- Khamasom Khayangkho (hamlet)
- Khamasom Waleley (hamlet)
- Khamasom Phungdhar (hamlet)
- Khamasom Phungrei
- Sihai
- Sihai Khullen (hamlet)
- Sihai Khunou (hamlet)
- Sihai Kahaophung (hamlet)
KUIGUROP/Luhuppa 33 villages - Chalou
- Kuingai
- Chingai
- Chingjaroi Khullen
- Chingjaroi CV
- Chingjaroi
- C. Ngachaphung (hamlet)
- Huishu
- Jessami
- Kharāsom
- Kharasom Lazo (hamlet)
- New Kharasom (hamlet),
- Kharāsom CV (hamlet)
- Marangphung
- Marem
- Namrei
- New Tusom
- Tusom Khullen
- Tusom CV
- Ngahui
- Poi
- Ra̱zai Khullen
- Ra̱zai Khunuo
- Sorāphung
- Wāhong
- New Wāhong (hamlet)
KAMO
Kamo is a blanket term commonly used to refer to the Tangkhul villages located in the Kamjong district. However, when the name Kamo is used to refer to the people, it identifies a specific group characterized by naming conventions such as Mopa, Kopa, and Tipa, which reflect their cultural affinity with the Khmer/Hmong. (The Kangpat-Sorde-Nambashi group, for instance, shares a similar origin.) There are nine ranges under the Kamo topographical division.
Khukok Range 7 villages - Alāng (Ngayophung)
- Chungka
- Ramsophung/Khongjal
- Loushing
- Loushing Khunthak
- Phungyar
- Tusom South
Sambu 25 villages - Apong
- Chāhong Khullen
- Chāhong Phalung,(hamlet)
- Chāhong Chingthak (hamlet)
- Chamu
- Hango Kaphung (hamlet)
- Changa
- Chatric (Khullen, Khunuo)
- Hangkaw
- Kashung
- Khayang
- Khayang Phungtha (hamlet)
- Langkhe
- Lāngli
- Maku
- Mapum
- Madoyah
- Pushing
- Roni
- Rusheah
- Sahamphung
- Shingchā
- Sampui
- Yedah
- Zingsui
Raizan 14 villages - Bungpā Khullen
- Bungpā Khunou
- Grihāng
- Huimine Thanā
- Kangpāt Khullen
- Kangpāt Khunou
- Kongkān
- Meiti
- Ningchou
- Ningthi
- Phange
- Ramphoi
- Skipe
- Z Choro
Lungpha̱ Range 9 villages - Khambi
- Kumram
- Mailiang
- Nongman
- Patbung
- Punge
- Sorathen
- Sorbung
- Sorde
Also read | Hao (Tāngkhul) Traditional Environmental Ethics: A Way to Achieve a Sustainable Planet
Leimarol 29 villages - Wanglee
- Bungpun
- Makan
- Phungchon/Punouram
- Kangkum
- Kashung
- Nambashi Khunou
- Nambashi Khullen
- Khonglo
- Manthouram
- Nambashi Valley
- Khunthak
- Tarong
- Kasom Khullen
- Kasom Khunou
- Lairam Khullen
- M Reishangphung
- Lairam Phungka
- Khoiripok Ato
- Khoiripok Aze/Yeasom
- Khamlang
- K. Ashang Khullen
- K. Ashang Khullen Ato
- K. Ashang Khullen Aze
- Mawai
- Shangpunram
- Chongdan
- Hongbei (hamlet)
- Kangoi
Shangpun Long 18 villages - Irong Kongleiram
- Maryland
- Mumlo Ringpam
- K. Leihaoram
- Lungthar
- Heinganglok
- Sotun/Somdhar
- Sadak-khunbi
- Irong Ato
- K Somrei
- Nambashi Horton
- Komlaching
- Shungriphai/Soraland
- Keihao
- Chakhama
- Kharan
- Tangkhul Khullen
- Sochanram
Tomching Range 17 villages - Laikoiching
- Happyland
- Risophung
- Leishiphung
- Island
- Sopleng/ Moirangpan
- New Salem
- Silent/Honkhuiphung
- Thangchingpokpi
- Ngarumphung
- New Canaan
- Muirei
- Wunghon
- Mayophung
- Leiyaram
- South Luoshing
- Tongkoi/Colley
Mapithel Range 17 villages - Lungpha̱
- Shingta
- Marou
- Shingkap
- T Hundung
- T Hundung Khunou
- Nongdam
- Chadong
- Ramrei
- Ramrei Aze
- Riha
- Thoyee
- Louphong
- Bohoram
- Itham
- Manthou
- Chingshou
Nongmaiching Range 9 villages - Kaprang
- Saman
- Lishamlok
- Poirou
- Lembakhul
- Ngaranphung
- N. Kachumram
- Tamaram
- T Saram
Also read | Tracing history of Hau/Naga migration Tangkhul legends and Tenimiyas (Angami, Chakhesang and Mao)
SOMRA TRACT in MYANMAR 31 villages
In the past, the Myanmarese were known to the Tangkhuls as the Mari people. For example, Mari-khong means “Burmese boat.” Burma was referred to as Avah, and Kabaw as Kabo by our forefathers. The Myanmarese called the Tangkhuls ‘Tang-khu,’ meaning “iron people,” as the word ‘tang’ means “iron” in Burmese. The Tangkhuls acquired iron from Mari, which refers to Myanmar. It may be assumed that the word Tang-khu or Tangkhul derives from the term Tang-khu given by the Myanmarese (meaning “iron people”), although there are differing schools of thought regarding the origin of the word Tangkhul. There are many Tangkhul villages located within the Myanmar border. - Somrā
- Pha Phoa/New Somrā
- Phungtret
- Layum
- Pansat
- Mayelung
- Old Kalen/Kokailung
- New Kalen/Kakailung
- Raakhenlhun
- Shwebeaye
- Yeror
- Naungbin
- Menton
- Moepenluh
- Bunpan
- Ngachan
- Reyjo
- Old Hingkut
- New Hingkut
- Yennwen (hamlet)
- Htamanti (hamlet)
- Koki
- Koki Songpya
- Myag Nigone
- Old Jila
- New Jila
- Tharyar
- Min Nar
- Khotuk
- Cha Garong
- Palen
The author can be reach at khayisinalei@gmail.com for constructive criticism and suggestions.