in north eastern India, Tamenglong district is one of the districts of Manipur and spreads over a total area of 4,391 sq. km. The town of Tamenglong is the headquarters of this district. Currently, the Tamenglong district is one of the 3 districts in the state that is receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).
History of Tamenglong District
During the British reign in 1919, 4 sub divisions office were established in the Manipur Hills known as North East Sub Division, North West Sub Division, South East Sub Division and South West Sub Division. Initially, the headquarters for the North West Sub Division was set up at Khunjao in Tameglong village but later in 1923, it was shifted to the present day Tamenglong district. This sub division was later renamed as Tamenglong Sub Division as it became a full- fledged district in 1969 and the first Deputy Commissioner was posted.
After the Indian Independence, for a long time, the Tamenglong district was not connected by proper roadways. In 1957, the first road was inaugurated which connected the Tamenglong district to Imphal, the capital of Manipur.
Geography of Tamenglong District
The Tamenglong district is bounded by the state of Nagaland on the north, by Senapati district on the east, Churchandpur district on the south and by Imphal West District along with the north eastern state of Assam on the west. The district experiences a warm and temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 18.5 degree Celsius. The Tamenglong district also receives an annual precipitation of 3336 mm.
Demographics of Tamenglong District
As per the Census India reports of 2011, the total population of the Tamenglong district was 140,651 out of which male and female were 72,371 and 68,280 respectively. Compared to the 2001 census report, there has been a recorded increase of 25.69 percent in the population of Tamenglong district. The population of children between the ages of 0 to 6 years were 19,307 with a sex ratio of 953 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 70.4 percent.
Culture of Tamenglong District
Mostly inhabited by the Zeliangrong Naga and the Kuki tribe, the Tamenglong district is culturally diverse as each clan enjoys equal status. The Naga tribes of the land have some unique customs and few of them are listed below:
Noumang-mei-Nou-kao: Also known as marriage by service, with the agreement of both parties the boy stays at the girl`s parents` house and stays for 3 to 4 years and then finally returns home with his wife.
Chamemei: In this system a girl is given in marriage even against her consent to a family to whom the girl`s parents are in debt or some obligations.
Naokakhaomei: In an accidental death of a man, his brother will look after the children and remarry the wife of his brother.
Nasitheimei: Also known as Nathitheimei, as per this custom, during the death of a woman in childbirth, the child is not permitted to live but instead buried alive with the dead mother.
Other than their unusual customs and traditions, the making of traditional handicrafts among the indigenous tribes of Tamenglong also contributes to the cultural aspect of the district.
Festivals of Tamenglong District
Reflecting the cultural and traditional aspects of the state, the festivals of Tamenglong district primarily revolve around the agricultural and religious practises. Some of these colourful festivals that are celebrated with much pomp and gaiety are the Gan- Ngai, Rih- Ngai, Gudui- Ngai and Banruhmei.
Tourism in Tamenglong District
The Tamenglong district has an irregular undulated topography with turbulent rivers, waterfalls, caves, lakes, and dense tropical forests covering the land. Some of the popular tourist attractions of the district are the Barak Waterfall, the magnificent cliff of Khisa Khou, the village of Zeiladzang, the meadows of Buning and lastly, the mystical Tharon Cave, the abode of bruit bats.
Visiting Information on Tamenglong District
The Jiribam railway station is the closest at a distance of 146 km from the district and the Imphal Airport is the nearest at a distance of 152 from the Tamenglong district.
