History of Hungpung village laid clear
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 16 2023: Refuting the Hungpung Zimik Shang's claim that Thangal was the eldest son among the three blood brothers while outlining the history of Hungpung village, the Hungpung Hungshi Shangva has reiterated that Khongdei/Khongrei was the eldest brother and alleged that Thangal was the younger brother of Maram.

It may be noted that according to Hungpung Hungshi Shangva research committee, the three brothers were-the eldest Riso (Khongreihung), the second, Hiipam (Hungpung- hung) and the youngest Mahza (Meiteihung) while according to Hungpung Zimik Shang, the eldest son was Thangal, second son-Hungpung and the youngest was Meetei/Meitei.

Claiming that "Thangal as elder brother was only a concocted story and falsely floated", a statement issued by AS Boniface Hungshi, chairman Hungpung Hungshi Shangva and TS Elvis Hungshi, secretary, Hungpung Hungshi Shangva stated that in the year 1959, the headman of Khongdei/Khongrei and his team along with a dance troupe visited his younger brother's village-Hungpung.

On the same night, Late AS Hungshi's son was born, who was given the name "Khongreiwung" which means 'visit of Khongreihung, elder brother to his younger brother' .

According to the statement, the Hungpung Hungshi Shangva research committee also visited Mayangkhang (Thangal) on August 23, 2008 and October 23, 2018 where the residents themselves reportedly testified that they belong to Luwang Salai.

Hence the question of Thangal being the eldest of the brothers is "untenable", it said.

It may be noted here that according to the Hungpung Hungshi Shangva research committee, Mangang Ningthouja was the Salai name of three brothers and "Mangang" in Tangkhul means "Hungshi" .

Claiming that Thangal was the younger brother of Maram, Hungpung Hungshi Shangva said that in the olden days during the time of head-hunting, Maram and Thangal never kept each others' skulls/heads as trophy because of their brotherhood and oneness and also considered it as taboo and misfortune.

Further, Hungpung Hungshi Shangva also reiterated that there has not been any King's family or clan name as Sun or Zimik in Hungpung history.

Addressing the Hungpung Zimik Shang's refutation of its claim which pointed at the existence of a stone slab with imprints of AS Wungnaoyo Zimik and Okendrajit (Maharaja) at the courtyard of the Hungpung headman's residence as proof of their brotherhood as well as Zimik as the surname/identity of the Hungpung headman, Hungpung Hungshi Shangva claimed that AS Wungnaoyo's attachment to Zimik clan was in his own vested interest.

The late headman's father AS Ralo, grandfather Ngaranghai and great grandfathers and ancestors like AS Wungkhayai, Minot, Siluihui etc "knew not any clan by name Zimik", it alleged.

After WS Wungnaoyo, the Zimik clan was scrapped from the Hungpung ruling clan.

His own son, AS Peter Wungayung, the present Hungpung headman, does not recognize the Zimik clan, said the statement.

Lastly, the Hungpung Hungshi Shangva asserted that Salai can be solely colours and not any objects and offered six works as references to their claim, namely, Meitei Yek Salai by Ayekpam Tomba (p 20, 21); Yek Salai by Mangang Yaima (p 11-40); Yek Salai Amashung Numit Thapan by Mangang Yaima (p 58); Ancient Cult and Culture of Manipur by Gauramani Singh; Manipuri Language-Status and Importance by N Khel Chandra and Research Work of Manipuri Arts by Matuwa Bahadur.

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