Rongmei people

For the surname, see Kabui (surname).

Rongmei

Rongmei/Kabui women
Total population
170,800 (2011 Census)^[citation needed]^[verification needed]
Regions with significant populations
Northeast India
Languages
Rongmei language
Religion
Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak, Christianity, Hinduism, Poupei Chapriak.^[page needed]^[citation needed]^[verification needed]
Related ethnic groups
Zeme, Liangmai

The Rongmeis (also known as Kabui) are one of the Naga ethnic communities of North-East India. They are recognised as a scheduled tribe (STs) in the Constitution of India.^[1]

They share similarity with their kindred tribes of Zeme, Liangmai and Inpui, which together are known as Zeliangrong. Some historians and anthropologists have earlier recorded them as Kabui along with Inpui people.^{[citation needed]}

Festival

The Gaan-Ngai festival (post-harvest festival) is celebrated annually between December and January. It follows the lunar calendar and is celebrated on the 13th day of the Wakching or Gaan Ngai buh. It is celebrated to worship the Supreme God Haipou Tingkao Ragwang.^[2]

Rebellion

During the Colonial period, under the leadership of Haipou Jadonang^[3] and his successor Rani Gaidinliu,^[4] the Rongmeis along with other Zeliangrong tribes rebelled against British rule in the 1930s.

See also

• Hill tribes of Northeast India
• Tamenglong
• Zeliangrong
• List of Naga tribes

References

1. "The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes): Order, 1950". Ministry of Law and Justice (India).
2. "Rongmei celebrates Chakaan Gaan Ngai 2024 in Kohima". Morung Express. Morung Express. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
3. G. K. Ghosh (1 January 1992). Tribals and Their Culture in Assam, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. Ashish Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7024-455-4. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
4. Kusumlata Nayyar (2002). Rani Gaidinliu. Ocean Books. ISBN 978-81-88322-09-1. Retrieved 12 June 2013.