Mung Neihsial
The Neihsial are one of the ethnic groups in the North Eastern part of India. They are largely concentrated in the Churachandpur District of Manipur and its neighbouring districts, like
Senapati District and Chandel District, with some in the neighbouring Chin State of Myanmar.
The Neihsial speak a Tibeto-Burman language that is quite similar but distinct from the Vaiphei and Gangte tribal dialects. Today, it is unique and peculiar in terms of tradition, dialect and custom in comparison to the Vaiphei, Gangte, Paite and Thadou. A larger portion of the Neihsial are scattered in the Vaiphei, Gangte, Paite and Thadou tribes in India; however, a good number of them still speak in Neihsial dialect and follow its traditions. The word Neihsial is being spell in various variations such as Neihsiel and Neihsel due to others dialects and literature influences.
At present the Neihsial are not recognized as a tribe in India. Politically, the Neihsial are under the domain of the nomenclature Zoumi. They practice Jhooming, or slash-and-burn cultivation.
ORIGIN
The name “Neihsial” is a combination of “neih” (“have/possession/wealth”) and “sial”
(“boasting"); scholars believe the name derives from the phrase “the boasting of wealth.”1
Around 15-16 Century A.D., Pu Thanggou Guite, the 20th generation of the Guite descent, Pu
Thuknel along with Pu Thanggou symposium a local beer, where Pu Thuknel show his precious
2 sets of Khivui(a type of jewelry) utter, “Zawl aw, hih ka pu‟ lam; hih ka pa‟ lam,”(My dear friend, this is my granddad wealth; this is my dad wealth). Then he went inside the house, and took out a small gong‟ orate “Zawl aw, hih daakbu, kei lam ahi”(My dear friend, this gong, belongs to my possession), then Pu Thanggou assert “Zawl aw, nang neih sial hi lel chia”(My dear friend, you are boasting of your wealth)2. The Neihsials were indeed wealthy in terms of jewelry, animals, and more. As per the traditions and customs of the Neihsial, Khibah (an