Moyon Tribe

Moyon tribes reside in the north-eastern provinces of Indian subcontinent. They are concentrated in the south-eastern part of Manipur, particularly in the Chandel District. The origination of the word Moyon has a story behind it. In fact, it is named after a village, namely, Moyon Khullen. It is known as Bujuur.

The popular legend depicts that the ancestors of these Moyon tribes came down from a cave that is situated at Sijjur. Some people claim that they have arrived from another cave named Khur or Khul. The society of the Moyon tribes follows the structure and pattern of all the other tribal people, especially of the Manipur state. Both the parents mostly negotiate marriages. These marriages are popularly known as `luhong`. Instances are also not rare when the couple elope and get married. The marriages done by eloping are called `itaen`.

Festivals, rituals, ceremonies too are integrated to the Moyon tribal communities, ensuing their culture to become really enriched. Amongst various local festivals that these Moyon tribes celebrate in great splendor, Sachii ichii and Buren Iimpeh deserve to be mentioned. Sachii ichii is the sowing festival of this tribal community, while the latter is a special festival of harvesting.

The reason behind the popularity of these Moyon tribes is quite unique. According to the researches conducted by the eminent anthropologists of India, these Moyon tribal communities give due importance to education and learning. In fact almost each and every village has set up at least one school mainly for primary education. Moreover, the women folks of the Moyon tribes are quite active and empowered.

To ameliorate their status and prestige in the society, they have established their own organization in the year 1950. Also milestone in the evolution of these Moyon tribes is that for the very first time, a Moyon female also became the speaker of the Legislative Assembly in the year 1997. Apart from these, both adult males and females of the Moyon tribe have the right to vote in the Legislative Councils. As far as the languages are concerned, these Moyon tribes are quite proficient in `Meiteilon, (Manipuri) language`.