Anal Naga

The Anāl tribe is a Naga community native to Manipur state in North-East India and also found in parts of Myanmar. They are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in accordance with the Indian Constitution. The Anāl tribe is one of the sixty-six Naga tribes that make up the Naga ancestral homeland. Their population is distributed between India and Myanmar.

In India, the Anāl tribe is primarily concentrated in the state of Manipur, with a significant presence in the Chandel district. There are also a few Anāl villages in neighboring districts such as Churachandpur and Thoubal. In Myanmar, the Anāls reside in the Sagaing sub-division.

Historically, the Anāl people freely moved and interacted between the regions that are now part of India and Myanmar. However, with the demarcation of boundaries and subsequent restrictions on movement, these interactions have ceased. Despite being one of the oldest inhabitants of the hill areas in Manipur, the Anāl population remains relatively small. According to census data, their population was 21,242 in one census and 10,642 in another.

The recognition of the Anāl tribe as a Scheduled Tribe in Manipur dates back to 1951. This recognition was facilitated by Rochunga Pudaite, who met with Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and played a pivotal role in getting Scheduled Tribe recognition for not only the Hmar tribe but also for several other tribes, including the Anāl tribe. It was the Scheduled Tribes Reorganisation in 1956 that officially recognized these tribes by the Manipur government. The Anāl Language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman languages family, and they are considered one of the "Naga" tribes of Manipur, as recognized by the state government.

History

The Anāl tribe is one of the oldest indigenous tribes in the state of Manipur in Northeast India. They have a long history of inhabiting the hilly regions of Manipur, particularly in Chakpikarong. The Anāls have settlements on both sides of the Indo-Myanmar border.

In India, the Anāl tribe is primarily concentrated in Manipur, with a significant population in Chandel district. There are also Anāl villages in neighboring districts, such as Churachandpur and Thoubal. Chandel district alone has 141 Anāl villages, and there are additional Anāl villages in the mentioned districts. In Myanmar, there are three Anāl villages under the Myanmar administrative unit.

The Anāl population in India was reported as 21,242 in the 2001 census. However, the population of Anāls in Myanmar is not well-documented as many have assimilated into the major community.

Originally, the Anāls practiced animistic beliefs, but a significant shift towards Christianity occurred after India gained independence. Today, more than 95 percent of Anāls are Christians, with a concentration of Christian communities in Chandel, Manipur. The introduction of Christianity among the Anāls had a positive impact on education.

The history of the Anāl tribe dates back to the early centuries, with indications of their presence in inhabited areas as early as the 1st century AD or even earlier. They have a cultural and traditional relationship with the Meitei people, which dates back to at least 33 AD, as evidenced by historical accounts, traditional songs, and tales. There is also historical documentation of a marriage between a Meitei king and an Anāl woman, demonstrating the long-standing connections between the two communities.

Folklore

The belief in the origin of the Naga tribes, including the Anāl tribe, often involves the concept of emerging from caves or the earth. This belief is shared among many Naga tribes, and each has its own variation of the story.

According to Horam, it is suggested that the Nagas initially lived in stone caves or in the depths of the earth. This belief is also echoed by Y.L. Roland Shemmi, who mentions that tribes like Angami, Lotha, Rengma, Tangkhul, and Ao believe that they emerged from the earth or underground caves.

In the case of the Anāl tribe, their legend recounts that they, along with other Pakan tribes, originated in Mongolia. They lived in a cave that was guarded by a man-eating tiger. Two Anāl individuals, named Hanshu and Hantha, were able to slay the tiger with the assistance of birds from the sky. Following the tiger's demise, the tribes left the cave and embarked on a journey through various regions, including China, Tibet, before finally settling in Manipur.

The Anāls are divided into two groups based on their beliefs about their descent, tracing their lineage back to either Hanshu or Hantha. This legend and the concept of emerging from caves or the earth are significant elements of the Anāl tribe's cultural and historical narrative.

Etymology

The origin of the name "Anāl" is somewhat unclear, and there are a couple of hypotheses regarding its source:

1. Surname Hypothesis: One theory suggests that the name "Anāl" may be derived from the surname of an individual named R.D. Angnal.

2. Meitei Word Hypothesis: Another proposed explanation is that the name could be linked to the Meitei word "anan," which means "clean." This theory implies that the Anāl tribe might have been associated with cleanliness or had a reputation for being clean.

The Anāl people themselves often refer to their group as the "Pakan." The exact origin of their name remains a subject of discussion, and these are some of the hypotheses put forward to explain it.

Ethnic identity

The political relationship between the Nagas and the Kukis in the region, especially during and after British colonialism, has been marked by historical tensions and conflicts. According to the oral history of the Anāl tribe, they have a long history of conflict with the Kukis. In Chakpikarong, which is a region inhabited by the Anāls and Kukis, evidence of Stone Age culture has been discovered, indicating the ancient presence of these tribes. This suggests that the Anāl Kuki tribe is one of the oldest tribes in the state of Manipur.

Furthermore, the oral history of the Anāls indicates that they faced oppression from the Nagas during the Kuki rebellion of 1917. This historical conflict reflects the complex and sometimes adversarial relationships between different tribal groups in the region during colonial and post-colonial periods.

Demographics

The Anāl tribe resides in the Manipur region of Northeast India, and their homeland is surrounded by the Imphal valley to the north, Churachandpur district to the west, the Chin Hills to the south, and Kabaw valley to the east. This area is characterized by its hilly terrain, dense jungles, and the presence of various wild animals.

According to the 2001 census, there were approximately 21,242 Anāls living in Manipur. In 1981, they were distributed across 45 villages in the region. The Anāls have a long history in this part of Manipur and have maintained their cultural practices and traditions in this challenging and diverse landscape.

Literacy and educational level

In the year 2001, according to Census India, the Scheduled Tribe (ST) population in Manipur demonstrated a relatively high level of literacy, recording a rate of 65.9%. This literacy rate was significantly above the national average for Scheduled Tribes, which was 47.1% at that time.

Among the thirteen major STs in Manipur, the Anāls stood out with the fourth-highest literacy rate, which was 73.9%. The Hmar community had the highest literacy rate at 79.8%, followed closely by the Paite tribe at 79%, Any Mizo tribes at 74%, and the Tangkhul tribe at 72.7%. These figures reflect a relatively high level of educational attainment among the Anāl tribe and other major STs in Manipur compared to the national average for Scheduled Tribes in India.

Social life

The Anāl tribe of Manipur, India, have distinct social, cultural, and traditional practices that shape their way of life. Here are some key aspects of their social practices and way of life:

1. Clan Division: The Anāl tribe is divided into two distinct groups, 'Mosum' and 'Murchal.' Marriages can occur between members of these two groups, but intra-marriages can lead to ostracism of the couple.

2. Economy: The Anāl people primarily rely on agriculture for their livelihood. They practice crude agriculture and grow crops like rice, corn, soybeans, pumpkins, tomatoes, and gourds. Traditional occupations also include carpentry, bamboo furniture making, basketry, weaving, and spinning cotton.

3. Democratic Governance: The Anāl community has a democratic political system. Village authorities, including the chief and associates, are elected through voice votes or a raise of hands.

4. Housing: Traditionally, Anāl people live in windowless wooden houses with thatched roofs. These houses are raised above ground level and typically consist of two rooms, a bedroom, and a storeroom.

5. Traditional Attire: Anāl men wear lungis (similar to dhotis) and simple shirts, while women wear undergarments, skirts, blouses, and shawls that cover them from their heads to their knees. Both men and women wear jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and bracelets. Special long earrings made from insect wings are also worn. Traditional clothing is typically made by women.

6. Marriage and Family: The Anāl are traditionally monogamous, though some cases of polygyny have been reported. To marry, an Anāl man must pay a bride price (jol min). After marriage, the wife moves to the husband's home. Divorce (ithin) is permitted, but a fine may be incurred.

7. Religion: Traditionally, the Anāl people are polytheistic, believing in a supreme creator named Asapavan, a secondary deity named Wangparel, and numerous spirits. They have a significant rite called Akam, which is divided into six stages and takes six years to complete. During the Akam, the Anāl people sacrifice animals and offer feasts to the community. However, some Anāl individuals have converted to Christianity.

8. Musical Instruments and Dance: The Anāl have various traditional musical instruments, such as the khuwang (drum), sanamba (three-stringed fiddle), dolkhuwang (gong), pengkhul (trumpet), tilli (flageolet), rasem (a pipe instrument), and diengdong (xylophone). They are known for their traditional dances, including the kamdam and ludam.

9. Diet: The Anāl people have an omnivorous diet, including fish, eggs, beef, pork, and other meats, as well as fruits and vegetables. Traditionally, they do not consume milk, but some families now drink it with tea. They also have a form of rice beer known as zupar or zuhrin.

These practices and traditions reflect the unique way of life of the Anāl tribe, contributing to the rich cultural tapestry of Manipur, India.

References

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