The Taraos are one of the lesser-known tribes of Manipur mostly settled in Chandel district of Manipur. They use Meitei language as their second language (L2) according to the Ethnologue. At a time when many parts of the world are struggling with the issue of population explosion, Tarao—one of the smallest tribes from Chandel district in Manipur facing extinction, is struggling to preserve the tribe. As per reports, Toto, a primitive Indo-Bhutanese tribe hailing from Totopara in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, numbering less than 1500, is said to be the smallest tribe in the world. But going by the Population Census 2011, Tarao tribe numbers smaller than Toto tribe. The population of Tarao is only 1,066, according to the census. Currently, the Committee on Promotion of Tarao Community (COPTARC) informed theImphal Free Pressduring a survey that the tribe population now is only 900. Till 2018, the population of the tribe was around 855 with a total of about 192 households, excluding the Tarao’s who have merged with other tribes, the COPTARC stated.
The Tarao tribe is one of the smallest and least known among the Naga tribes of Manipur. Due to the lack of proper written records, the historical origin of the Tarao has many stories. The Tarao tribe is one of the smallest and least known among the Naga tribes of Manipur. In the study of the historical background of the Tarao tribe, there are many different views regarding the historical origin of this tribe. Though there is no proper written record of the Tarao history, the writer will bring out the reliable history from ancient verbal or oral histories: where they come from and which clans they have been divided into through the tribe's journeys of migration. Some believe in the theory of the cave ‘Tukleikhur’; some believe the Tarao was one time with the ‘Kuki-Chin groups’ meaning they migrated from Burma (Myanmar). Some believe in the Great Wall incident, a theory that is popular within the Tarao community. The northeastern people are, according to many scholars, of the ‘Mongolian’ race who migrated from China. So the author will deal with these issues of existing theories, right from ‘Tukleikhur’, ‘Kuki-Chin groups to the Great Wall incident. This study will also bring out a more reliable account of the historical background of the Tarao Tribe.
Global attention had just shone further light on this situation already recognised by the remaining members of the Tarao tribe. After years of campaigning, in 2003 – six years before the UNESCO’s atlas – the State Government of Manipur had recognised the Tarao tribe as one of the aboriginal tribes of the state for their distinctive cultural heritage, especially their traditional attires, music and dance. However, they still haven’t received the Minority Community status from the national government, as accorded by the United Nations’ 1992 promulgation of the Declaration on the Rights of Persons belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, which India has undersigned. The 830-strong Tarao tribe – spread across five villages in two districts of Manipur – have an uphill task ahead of them to preserve their language and culture. Luckily, they have found some individuals – locally and nationally – to help along the way in these efforts.
The Tarao Naga tribe is one of many Naga tribes in Manipur. Manipur and Nagaland are the two neighboring states situated in the northeast of India and have strong connections to the episodes of Mahabharata too! Bhabhruvahana, Arjuna’s most valiant son who defeated his father in a war during the course of Ashwamedh is begotten through the princess of Manipur, named Chitrangada during the period of Arjuna’s exile at Manipur. Bhabhruvahana was adopted as a son by his maternal grandfather and later became the successor of his grandfather’s kingdom. Now, here stands an exciting loop carrying ahead the significance. Uloopi is Arjuna’s Naga princess and she had a major role as a stepmother to Bhabhruvahana and also in saving Arjuna’s life in some instances. Iravan was the son of Arjuna and Uloopi. History says that the Tarao tribe was brought by Maharaja Ching – Thang – Khomba (1748–1799) who was a Manipuri monarch of the 18th century CE, to look after his orange tress at Komlathabi. The Maharaja had an orchard nearby Pallel. This tribe was engaged in the plantation of fruits like banana, papaya, pineapple, etc. and were confined within just four villages having a population of above few thousand.
What do we lose when we lose a language? In Manipur, the Tarao tribe is down to fewer than 900 members, and just one musician. Vast parts of its history are stored in its folk tales and music. After Ch Lamtachao, the 60-something chief of Heikakpokpi village, there will be no one left who remembers it all. Will that mark the end for this intangible heritage? Manipur-based musician Akhu Chingangbam hopes not. For six years, he’s been meeting folk artists from across Manipur to collect and preserve the music (and thereby the stories and histories) of different tribes, before it fades away. In 2015, Chingangbam launched the Native Tongue Called Peace project, to teach songs from different tribal language.
Tarao people primarily inhabit five villages in Manipur — Laimanai, Leishokching, Khuringmuul and Heikakpokpi — apart from the Sanakeithel village in the state’s Ukhrul district. The Taraos are also called the ‘forgotten tribe of Manipur’ since the community is on the verge of extinction. Ch Lamtachao, the chief of Heikakpokpi village in Tengnoupal district of Manipur, is the only person from his tribe, known as Tarao, who knows its folk songs and can play as well as make the traditional musical instruments. An endangered and marginalised tribe, Tarao has a population of less than 900 presently. In 2009, the UNESCO declared the Tarao language extinct. Over the years, the tribe members have been struggling to preserve their identity.
In his late sixties, the chief of Heikakpokpi village in Tengnoupal district of Manipur in Northeast India is being haunted by persistent worry of the culture, traditional musical instruments and folk songs of his tribe vanishing with his passing away. His moral obligation is no longer confined to the villagers of Heikakpokpi only but to the whole of Tarao people now that he is the only surviving member of the Tarao tribe who can play and make Tarao traditional musical instruments and know the folk songs. The silver jubilee of Heikakpokpi, a Tarao village located around 48 km from Imphal, was celebrated in 2011, that was when Ch Lamtachao, who went on to become the village chief in 2017, fell in love with the Tarao music, songs and dance. Tarao is an endangered and marginalised tribe with a population of less than 900 presently. The UNESCO, in 2009, had declared the Tarao language among others as extinct and over the years Tarao with a meagre population distributed sparsely have been struggling to preserve their identity.
Tarao, one of the smallest tribes in Manipur facing extinction, has appealed to the state government for a specific strategy plan for the promotion and upliftment of the community. The current population of the Tarao tribe has reportedly dropped below the endangered level of 900. According to the 2011 Census, their population was recorded at 1,066 and the UNESCO Online Atlas report of 2009 mentioned Tarao language as an extinct language. Based on the theme “Reasoning the Identity”, the Theemjih Teen Tarao Ruulkhak (Tarao Students’ Union) has organised a five-day 5th General Conference at Khuringmul village, Chandel district, starting February 18. Presently, the Tarao people are settled in four villages of Chandel district--Laimanai, Leishokching, Khuringmuul and Haikakpokpi and one village of Ukhrul district--Sanakeithel.
Tarao is spoken by Manipur’s minority Tarao tribe. According to Ethnologue, it is spread over four villages including Heikakpokpi and Sinakeithei. First Post notes it as having 830 speakers, while Imphal Free Press claims it to be 900/1,066. But Tarao won’t go down without a fight as the youth keep it alive through cultural shows. Tarao are said to have lived in Manipur since 1075 CE. Their folk songs and traditions indicate their origins to be from Burma.
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