The Monsang tribe is an indigenous community in Northeast India, primarily inhabiting the southeastern part of Manipur state, particularly in the Chandel district, bordering Myanmar.¹ Known for their distinct culture and traditions, the Monsangs are a peace-loving people.²
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History
The Monsangs were originally known as 'Sirti,' a name derived from 'Ati,' meaning 'south.' This suggests a belief that the Monsangs originated from the south, though the precise geographical region remains undetermined.³
According to tradition, the Monsangs emerged from a cave that was guarded by a ferocious tiger. Their leader, Thumpungpa, empowered by weaver birds and hornbills, successfully overcame the tiger, leading his people out of the cave in search of a suitable place for settlement.⁴
The earliest Monsang village established was Tungphejur. This was followed by successive settlements at Tetejur, Kolenbung, Heikaching, and Ruwngphetung during their migration. It was during their time in Ruwngphetung that the Monsangs came into contact with the Meiteis, the valley people of Manipur. Among the Monsangs, a popular leader named Mosang gained prominence. Consequently, Ruwngphetung became known as 'Mosang's village' to other communities. Over time, the inhabitants of Ruwngphetung became known as the 'Mosang people,' and the tribal name 'Sirti' was eventually replaced by 'Monsang' after this influential leader.⁵
Clans
The Monsang tribe is generally divided into two main clans: Simputi and Rinheti. Each of these major clans is further subdivided into several sub-clans.⁶
Simputi Clan: This clan includes the following sub-clans: Ngiiriiti, Kiiriiti, Thrumhliti, Hranglumti, Chahliiti, Eenlha Bungjirti, and Serbumti.
Rinheti Clan: The sub-clans under Rinheti are: Rohinti, Wanglarti, Thresongti, Hongamti, Shongsirti, Khartuti, and Khartu Bungpi.⁷
Marriage
Traditional Monsang marriage customs involved an initial negotiation between the prospective groom's family and the bride's family, a practice known as juwr Ikhuw. However, this specific custom is no longer observed today.⁸
The Jutii (engagement) ceremony traditionally involved the boy's parents visiting the girl's house with a jar of wine and a hen. If an agreement was not reached, the girl's parents would provide a jar of wine for both parties to consume, thereby canceling the engagement. In contemporary Christian Monsang society, tea has largely replaced wine in such ceremonies.⁹
Following the Jutii, the boy would move into the girl's house and live with her for three consecutive years. Only after this period would the girl move to live in the boy's house. During the boy's stay at the girl's residence, his parents were required to make three presentations to the girl's family: Chatla, Thungpham, and Mharsha or Min. Chatla comprised meat and wine. Thungpham included a pig and a jar of wine. Mharsha or Min consisted of a metal gong, a pig or a hen, a cow, and a basket-full of Chahao (a type of rice).¹⁰
Today, most marriages among the Monsang are conducted as Christian ceremonies, officiated by a Catholic priest or a Reverend, leading to a considerable replacement of many old traditions.¹¹
LHU - A Unique Friendship System
The Monsangs practice a unique friendship system known as "LHU," which signifies a bosom friend. Every Monsang male is expected to have a Lhu. This type of friendship is distinct from ordinary friendships and prohibits marriage between the siblings or children of the Lhu pair. This bond is characterized by a strong conviction that any challenges or misfortunes faced by one friend will be boldly and jointly confronted by both. A notable enduring practice within this friendship is that when one Lhu kills an animal, the rear portion of the animal is given to the other Lhu.¹²
Inter-marriage
Marriage is permitted between sub-clans within the same main clan (Simputi or Rinheti). For instance, a Ngiiriiti can marry a Kiiriiti, or a Kiiriiti can marry a Thrumhliti within the Simputi clan. Similarly, a Wanglarti can marry a Thresongti, or a Hongamti can marry a Shongsirti within the Rinheti clan. However, marriage between certain closely related sub-clans is strictly prohibited (considered juwr or close blood relations). Within the Simputi clan, marriage between Ngiiriiti and Hranglumti is forbidden. In the Rinheti clan, intermarriage is prohibited between Rohinti and Wanglarti, Hongamti and Thresongti, and between Khartuti and Khartu Bingpi. Should such prohibited marriages occur, the village authority imposes fines in accordance with Monsang customary law.¹³
Religion
The Monsang tribe is 100% Christian, indicating a complete adoption of Christianity, with no reported adherents of Hinduism or other religions in their community.¹⁴
Chiefs and Village Officials
Chiefs
Among the Monsang, Chiefs are not hereditary; they are elected by the people. There is no fixed tenure for the Chiefship; an individual holds the post as long as they maintain the confidence of their villagers. A Chief can be removed if the villagers lose confidence in them or if they become too old to serve effectively.¹⁵
Village Officials (Duties and Functions of Village Authority)
The Monsang village governance structure includes several key officials:¹⁶
Chief (Eruwng): The head of the village officials and ex officio chairman of the village authority. The Eruwng oversees all developmental, educational, and economic programs in consultation with other officials. In times of crisis, the Eruwng possesses extraordinary powers to make decisions without prior consultation. The Chief's position is not time-bound; they serve as long as they have the people's mandate.
Senapati: The second-highest village official, acting on behalf of the Eruwng in his absence and capable of exercising the Chief's authority.
Khullak: Holds the third position in the traditional village council, actively participating in all development programs and assisting the Eruwng.
Lullak: The fourth-ranking official in the Eruwng's council, assisting the Eruwng and offering suggestions or participating in council activities.
Mantri: Occupies the fifth post in the village council and is a member of its executive wing.
Pakhanglak: Responsible for guiding unmarried males.
Ningolak: Responsible for guiding unmarried females.
Chingsanglak: Provides information about surrounding villages.
Meitei Lambu: Responsible for enquiring about and verifying outsiders visiting the village.
Langching: Leads villagers in social or other community work.
Wangkhera, Nahara, Selung: These are additional village officials with specific roles.
Yupaar: The usher of the Ekam ritual, an offering made by affluent individuals involving meat, food, drink, and ritual songs and dances.
Kerung: Ushers for any ceremony.
Land Holdings
Land ownership within the Monsang tribe primarily stems from ancestral inheritance, passed down through forefathers or grandparents, known as Lhenhiing. These lands are not easily transferable between clans or families. Transfer of Lhenhiing is generally permitted under two specific conditions:¹⁷
Absence of Male Issue: If a particular landowner has no male descendants, the land can be given to his daughter and subsequently transferred to his son-in-law upon his daughter's marriage.
Lack of Cultivation Interest: If the landowner is elderly and his family members are not interested in jhum cultivation (shifting cultivation), the land can be given to their nearest relatives or sold to other sub-clans. The sale of land to outsiders is discouraged, as it is considered an immovable property. These land rules primarily apply during jhum cultivation periods. When no cultivation is taking place, the entire land is treated as common land.
Separately, land owned individually, such as a wet paddy field (survey/patta land), is recognized as private individual property.¹⁸
Notes
"Monsang," Wikipedia, accessed July 20, 2025,
. Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
"ST-14: Religion (Scheduled Tribes)," Census of India 2011, accessed July 20, 2025,
. "Monsang," Wikipedia, accessed July 20, 2025,
. Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
