23/08/2022
"A generation which ignores history has no past and no future." Robert Heinlein.
The People's Chronicle
Imphal, Monday, August 01, 2022
BY DIPHIU PRINMAI.
The untold story of Koubru Mountain.
The Indigenous Liangmai people were the first settlers on the Koubru Mountain. According to historical chronology, the Liangmai indigenous settlement on the Koubru Range after the Exodus of Makuiluangdi Charanam. The Liangmai people were the first to settle around the Koubru Mountain range. According to the indigenous Liangmai folktale, their patriarch, Mr. Nguiba, the king of Makuilongdi (the cradle of the Zeliangrong civilization) had two sons, the elder son born to his second wife and the younger son born to his first wife because of which there was a dispute as to who between his two sons should be made the rightful heir. As per this folklore, Nguiba sought the help of his brother, Makingh/Makieng who was settled at the foothills of Koubru to arbitrate the issue of the rightful heir between his sons. The descendants of Makingh/Makieng became known as Makimai, people of Makingh/Makieng who today are known as Meiteis in the valley. As legend says about two brothers; one who migrated to Valley and Liangmai remained on Koubru Mountain.
During those days Manipur valley was filled with water. In course of time water level decreased and the valley dried up. The first place which dried up was called Kangla (Dry land) and the younger brother (Meitei/Makieng) & his descendants migrated from Koubru mountain and began to settle down at Kangla. According to folktales, Kangla was the first area of settlement for Makieng (Meitei) and his descendants. Hence till today, the Liangmai call valley as Makidi, the land of Makingh/Makieng. Liangmai and the Meiteis still observed this bond of brotherhood known as Mera Houchongba/Mera Waayungba/Mera Thoumei Thaanba as a mark of remembrance which falls every year on the 15th lunar day of Mera Month of the Meitei calendar.
