Mayang (term)

Mayang is a term used by the Manipuri in Manipur to refer to non-Manipuri Indians, especially the speakers of Hindustani language and Bengali people[1][2] But historically the term has been used to denote the Bishnupriya Manipuris and Bengalis,[3] who are considered by Meiteis to be outsiders in Manipur. The term was later casually used to denote 'foreigner' during the militancy in Manipur, which effectively translated to Indians from outside the state.[4] Indians in general and Bengalis in particular became the targets of attacks. According to journalist Kishalay Bhattacharjee, the term is synonymous to Dkhar in Meghalaya.[5]

This article is about a derogatory term used to denote non-Meiteis in Manipur. For the Chinese county in Hunan Province, see Mayang Miao Autonomous County. For the Manipuri ethnic group of Indo-Aryan descent, see Bishnupriya Manipuri.

Usage

The term is used for who are not from Manipuri. It is a term which means foreigner in Manipuri dialect.

Kwak Mayang

The Corvus splendens or Indian crow is known as Mayang Kwak in Meitei language. The Meiteis maintain that Indian crow originally was not native to Manipur. As it arrived from the west, it is known as Mayang Kwak, literally meaning 'foreign crow' or 'western crow'. Australian dancer Louise Lightfoot has recorded in her memoir a popular game among the Meitei children called 'Kwak Mayang', literally meaning 'foreign crow'. The children cling behind each forming a moving line. The leader swerves the direction of the movement as if dodging attacks from the foreign crow that is attacking them from the front.[6] During her travel in Manipur, little boys used to jeer at her calling her Mayang and older boys used to laugh out at her harassment.[6]

Mayang Hatlo

Militants raised the violent war cry of 'Mayang Hatlo!', literally meaning 'Foreigners go back!'.[7] As the movement gained momentum across the state, general Manipuris got involved in it. Young boys armed with knives and lathis terrorized the streets.[7]

See also

References
  1. Sen, Sipra (1992). Tribes and Castes of Manipur: Description and Select Bibliography. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. p. 69. ISBN 9788170993100. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  2. Gluhovic, Milija; Menon, Jisha (14 September 2017). Performing the Secular: Religion, Representation, and Politics. Springer. p. 211. ISBN 9781137496089. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  3. Sanajaoba, Naorem, ed. (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization, Volume 4. New Delhi: Mittal Publications. p. 152. ISBN 9788170998532. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  4. Bhanjdeo, Akshita Manjari (2015). India and Its Northeast Exception: From Frontier to Forefront (Senior Project). Bard College. p. 29. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  5. Bhattacharjee, Kishalay (11 April 2013). Che in Paona Bazar. New Delhi: Pan Macmillan. ISBN 9781447247418. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  6. Lightfoot, Lousie (11 May 2017). Louise Lightfoot in Search of India: An Australian Dancer's Experience. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. ISBN 9781443892582. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
  7. Bhattacharjee, Shubho Shekhar (2 July 2018). "Born to Unbelong in India and That's the Way I Like It". The Quint. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
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