Historical Chronology of Kuki people from B.C 700-1919 A.D
- Part 1 -

TS Letkhosei Haokip *

Origin: Kuki people are Tibeto-Burman Mongoloid-Jewish ethniccommunity,separated by the three international boundaries of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. It is believed that the Kukis emerged out from a cave called "Khul"[1] somewhere in central China. The so stated cave is believed to be the present 'Great Wall of China' built by Qin Shi Huangdi during the 17th century.

About 20-25 years back (1987) my elderly paternal grand uncle told me that "His father who had taken from father and great grand-fathers down the generations' that, "Those ancestors emerging from the cave include Chongthu/Songthu ,Vangalpa ,Khupngam and some clansmen, leaving behind Songja, Noimangpa and others of the group". [2]

According to William Shaw in his book, "The Thadou Kukis", (1929), (op cit),when Chongja's party, following on, found the stone blocking their passage out and after making many attempts gave up and returned to Noimangpa reporting the result'. Pi Nemneh, wife of Songja, cursed Chongthu and party for leaving them at doom in the 'Khul'. It is also told that Songja, Noimangpa and other clansmen of the Manmasi (Manashe[3]) people who were left behind are assimilated with the Chinese and Japanese people.

The names of villages of the time were Noimang, Kholaichal, Khopalva, Khothip, Khomang, Khokanglai and Khokisupi.[4] The period Chongthu and his clansmen come out from 'Khul' is believed to be between 180-230 A.D. This can be rectified by the settlement of Lenthang (100-182 A.D) and Lunkim in their so called upper earth, by the time Chongthu and party reached the site, after coming out from 'Khul'. It is pertinent to state that, the period between 180-230 A.D has been neither recorded nor the period of Chongthu's emergence from the bowel of the earth or 'Khul' has been indicated.

Kuki-Jewish Origin: One acceptable theory propounded by Dr Milui Lenthang Khuplam, in his book, 'Manmasi Chate Thulhun Kidang Masa: The Wonderful Genealogical Tales of Manmasi'(2005), stated the Kukis to be one of the ten lost tribes of the Jews.[1] In this connection in 1999, Hillel Halkin, a well-known author and journalist, and for many years the Israel correspondent for the 'New York Times' presented Dr. Khuplam a scroll of confirmation that states the Kuki people as descendants of Manmasi (Manasseh), one of the twelve tribes of Israel.[3]

In the year 2001, Lars Goran Svensson of Sweden and 'Sister Angel', his assistant, met with Dr Khuplam. They had come to Manipur for a third time to seek out the lost tribes of Israel in order to bring them back to the 'Promised Land'. [3] In the year 2006-07, 200 Kuki families were taken on batches to Israel.[5]

Course of Migration: According to history, the Kuki-Manmasi (Manashe) people with other tribes of Israel were exiled to Assyria in 722 BC. Babylon conquered Assyria in 607 BC. Syria was later conquered by Persia in 457 BC. Alexander the Great of Greece conquered Persia in 331 BC.[6] It was during this period that the Kuki-Manmasi people were deported from Persia to Afghanistan and other places. Throughout this entire period, their 'Savun Lekhajol' or 'Torah Scroll' was with them under the possession of 'Thempu' [priest(s)] and 'Lamkai Pipu' [elder(s)].

From Afghanistan their migration continued eastward till reaching Tibetan-Chinese border. Some of the tribesmen remained back at the Bay of Bengal. From there the adventurous groups continued to wander following the course of Wei River, and reached China. The Kuki-Manmasis settled there at about 231 BC.[6]

* Historical Chronology of Kuki People from B.C 300 to 01 A.D: is briefly substantiated as under. There is no detailed and chronologically recorded document. Little information found from different books by different writers at different period states that the Kuki-Manmasi people lived in Yunnan province during 300-200 B.C period. Yunnan at that time was not a territory of China. Some of the known Manmasi chieftains are Naman (Namin), Nul/ Nur and Lhandoh/ Thlanrawk.[7]

1. B.C 300-200 Period: Some of the prominent Manmasi Kuki villages, bearing the present day indigenous names are Injang, Lunglen, Lungten/Lungtian, Mongga-lung/ Maungalung, Phaijang, Selkul/ Seipui, Thenjang and Thenchung etc. The names of their chiefs and chieftains of the period are Zosua/Joshua (Zosanga), Thokpu and Khangpa.[8]

2. # Khangpa (B.C 220-200): Khangpa was their most powerful and influential chieftain. The period between 270-250 B.C, witnessed hostility among the various Chou, Misho, Mao and Hans dynasties. Feeling unsecured, the Manmasi Kuki people shifted their settlement from Yunan province to Central China. The Chinese called Manmasi Kuki people as 'Khang'.[9]

3. # Benglam (Chhura) Era (B.C 201-131): During this period, there is nothing much to highlight about this people. The significant event worth mentioning is about their chieftain called Benglam. Benglam possessed a magical power to hypnotise people. He was in love with a Mishmi girl. The parents of the girl did not consent his proposal to marry their daughter. His two comrades 'Douvan-ngul' and 'Douvanthang' co-operated him to marry her. Even today, the stories and fables about this ruler is being narrated and tld to children. There was a rivalry between the Mons and Manmasi Kukis during this period.[7]

4. # Songkho-on (Chawngkhum) Era (B.C 140-101): This era is the period of their settlement in Thakthing region and Irrawady river valley. The most powerful chieftain was Songkho-on.[10] During this period, some clansmen travel to Arakan region and some of them into Chinhills.

5. # Mopung Era (B.C 100-50): Mopung became the most powerful chieftain after the death of Dangsa. The Shans continued to wage war against them even in their new settlement at Molpi. So they continued to travel further. Travelling to the most southern part and founded a new settlement in the Chindwin valley. They called this new location, 'Bolkho',[11] (meaning swampy village).

6. # Dangsa Period (B.C 70): After the death of Songkho-on, Dangsa emerged as the strongest chief. 'Songsang' was their biggest village and centre of the period. The Shans attacked and captured Songsang. The Manmasi Kukis went southward to find a new location. They settled in a place called 'Molpi',[12] (meaning, huge hill).

7. # Tamlop (B.C 60-10 A.D): Tamlop was their chieftain at Buolkho during 60-10 B.C. During this period, the Sijangs were famous for their blacksmithy.[13] During Tamlop's era, a certain chieftain was said to be very rich, who was stated to have meal in golden plate.[7]

* Historical Chronology of Kuki People from 01-1919 A.D; (Emergence of Kuki Kings and Kingdoms):
The era of chieftainship has come to an end and the emergence of small kingdoms started taking its root from A.D period onwards. Some of the available recorded kingdoms and kings of the Kuki-Manmasi people are briefly chronologised as under.

1. *Mangthangson (A.D 1-20): Mangthang was from Molcham. He was the most prominent Kuki Manmasi king of the period. Other prominent chieftainships of the period in and around Molcham are Galpi, Molpi, Molcham, Mangsaphai, Sikibung, Sipibung, Chonjolbung, Chalon, Sangthei, Jangtunlui, Sijol, Bungjol, Lapuphai, Kungbulbung, Hansebung, Phabanthra, Moirangkhom and Khambikhal etc, (The Marings by R.K Das).

2. * Chongphut (B.C 19-70): The next king to come in power was Chongphut. Nothing much is known about this chieftain. Chongphut's territory comprised of Chindwin valley and its contagious regions. His capital was located at 'Bolkho', [7] in the Chindwin valley.

3. Thimzin (Total Darkness),(25-40 A.D): The period of 'Thimzing' is believed to be between A.D. 25-40. This unusual total darkness befell humanity for consecutive 7 days and 7 nights. There was shortage of dry firewood and other daily essential items. The interesting thing said about the unusual event was that the ghosts (spirits) of the dead visit human beings. It was also said that whoever doze were dying. In order to keep their eyes widely opened (not doze), they used to insert a bamboo-chip between the eyes to keep the eyes widely opened.[2]

The clansmen gathered together at the house of the chieftain and sang together. The singers as well as the 'Khongsai/Khongbeng'(drummers), party were said to be very melodious. It is from that period that those drummer groups came to be known as 'Khongsai' (meaning drummers or drum beaters).

The song they sang goes as, "Kachung'ah thimpi ajinge, Jaitha nem in lhavai inge; Akhu meiloijing abang e, Chungleng arvan a bom e, Daidona tha daikom e, Jangsel bang kahung soh e, Sel-hon kilip silsel e, leilong hon jai kasa e".[2] Its free translation goes as, "Darkness befall upon me; Disgustingly I am discouraged, The darkness look like a heap of clouds, covered by a heap of dark clouds, The spirit of toleration diminishes, Like a Yak I exclaimed, A pack of shivering Yaks, we sang a group chorus". Some people have died of the unusual darkness. By this time Chongphut's wife bored him a son, whom he named as Sinson.[7]

4. *Sinson/Sinsuon (60-110 A.D): Sinson was the eldest son of Chongphut. He had shifted from Bolkho to Sakhijang, alongwith his people. There were 11 villages with 952 houses. His sons are Lunkim, Lenthang, Thangngeo and Changsan.[7]

5. *Lenthang (100-182 A.D): After the death of Sinson, the second son, Lenthang took up the responsibility of kingship. Lenthang, though younger, was the king of about 20 big villages. All other brothers too founded new villages and became chiefs. Lenthang's two sons are Songte and Telien. Telien's kingship was succeeded by his son Thangneu.[7]

5. *Thangneu (230 A.D): Thangneu was the most prominent king of the period. His capital was at Sijang. He left Sijang accompanied by some of his subjects to Arakan to find more suitable area for settlement.[14] Some of the villagers remained back in the village.

6. *Vumjang (254 A.D): Vumjang was the son of Thangneu (230 AD) and grandson of Telien, the second son of Lenthang (100-182 AD). During this period, it was said that an extra ordinary human with half human, half lion form, terrorized human beings. Vumjang had a son, whom he named as Sholun.[7]

7. *Sholun (317 A.D): Sholun was another chief to come in power. He was the son of Vumjang (254 AD). Sholun's kingship covered about 13 large villages.[7] He was an excellent magician, as his father.

8. *Thangvum (370-421 A.D): Thangvum is the great grandson of Sholun (317 AD). His empire covered 27 villages. The capital was at Sijangbul.[16]

To be continued....