Hokse Hokse Keiraal Laakpa Hokse
- SNIPPETS OF MARILKHU -
Marilkhu -Phunal Maring has commemorated its 364 Years Anniversary held on 21st and 22nd October 2013. A historic monument of 364 Years Anniversary of Phunal Maring was erected at the place where the first settlement of the village is believed to have taken place.
GENESIS:
“Marilkhu” is a folk name of a village called Phunal Maring, inhabited by tribes of Maring Naga. It is located 22 km towards the South Eastern side of Imphal, the capital of Manipur.
“Marilkhu” was founded by Angson Angroulung Khleya in the year 1649 A.D. Angroulung along with his family, relatives and others came from the place called ‘Khulil’ and were the first to settle in Phunal Maring.
CHIEFTAINS:
The village foundation stone called ‘Lamal Lhung’ in the Maring dialect was inaugurated by Kansham Medun Khleya. The foundation stone ‘Lamal Lhung’ was sponsored by Khulpu Medar.
The first village head called ‘Khulpu’ of Phunal Maring is Khulpu Modun. ‘Khulpu’, is the village head and can only be held by a person from the Khulpu clan. Succession of ‘Khulpu’ is chosen from the eldest son of the existing ‘Khulpu’. The first Khullak of Phunal Maring is Oriko Dangshawa. ‘Khullak’ is the chief administrator of the village. The first ‘Meilampu’ of Phunal Maring is Koning Yaithem Angkha. The first ‘Chingshanglak’ of Phunal Maring is Kansham Moshilpha Khleya.
There is also a designated post only for the women, which is called ‘Watouwa’ meaning assistant. They assist the chieftains during their assembly.
Among the gurus of folk songs called ‘Laarung’, there also exists ‘Laarung Upa’ which is the head of gurus of folk songs. Keipha Angkhul is a ‘Laarung Upa’ who is very popular among the first settlers of Phunal Maring.
RELIGION:
There is no specific name of the religion followed by people of the first settlers of Phunal Maring. However, the god they worshiped is called ‘Yui Mongba’ meaning god of quenching thirst.
In the current century, the religion followed by people of the first settlers came to be known as ‘Non’, an abbreviated name for ‘non-christian’.
Christianity was first introduced in Phunal Maring by Sellung Morou Dangsha in the year 1959. He followed the Baptist denomination of Christianity. For more information on the Baptist denomination of Christianity, visit https://wphunalbchurch.in. In the recent decade, Catholic denomination Christianity was also introduced in Phunal Maring by Sellung Korung.
POPULATION:
Phunal Maring is a medium size village located in the Keirao Constituency of Manipur with a total of 216 families residing in it. The Phunal Maring village has a population of 1212 of which 587 are males while 625 are females as per the Population Census 2011. In Phunal Maring village, the population of children aged 0-6 is 134 which makes up 11.06 % of the total population of the village.
Average Sex Ratio of Phunal Maring village is 1065 which is higher than Manipur state average of 985. Child Sex Ratio for the Phunal Maring as per census is 836, lower than Manipur average of 930 as per the Population Census 2011.
LITERACY:
Phunal Maring village has a lower literacy rate compared to Manipur as per the Population Census 2011. In 2011, literacy rate of Phunal Maring village was 63.91 % compared to 76.94 % of Manipur, out of which Male literacy stood at 69.07 % while female literacy rate was 59.22 %. However, the literacy rate may have improved from 63.91% in 2011 to approximately 85% in recent years.
FEAST & FESTIVAL:
‘Lamlai’, a pre-harvest festival of Maring Naga Tribe is celebrated in the month of October every year. It is the biggest festival celebrated in Phunal Maring. Maintenance of village roads are carried out to ensure better serviceability during the harvesting season.
Another important festival of Maring is ‘Khong-Kaap’, an archery festival. It signifies the success of killing the giant beast called ‘Sovi-Yaa’, which threatens the survivability of the Maring people, with bows and arrows. It is celebrated once every five years in the month of May.
Phunal Maring has commemorated its 364 Years Anniversary held on 21st and 22nd October 2013. A historic monument of 364 Years Anniversary of Phunal Maring was erected at the place where the first settlement of the village is believed to have taken place.
Above all, the Maring Naga tribe in general and the people of Phunal Maring in particular are famous for making exquisite handicraft products and in Bladesmithing too.