Ancient Meitei (also known as Old Manipuri, Ariba Manipuri, or Areeba Manipuri, Ariba Meiteilon, or Meiteirol Ariba, Archaic Manipuri, or Old Meithei, or Archaic MeitheiGrierson, George Abraham. Linguistic Survey of India. India: Office of the superintendent of government printing, India, 1904. p. 12) is the earliest historical stage of the Meitei language. It was spoken by the various Yek Salai groups of the Meitei confederacy in Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) before the emergence of later forms of the language. According to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, the old period of the language existed till 1675 CE, because there was no significant influence of any other group on the language before that time.

Old Meitei gave rise to Modern Meitei, by passing through its early phases of literary and script usage. In the Tibeto-Burman classification, it is recognized as a distinct linguistic unit. Thus, through its historical development and its tradition of literacy and culture, it has established itself as a significant written language in its own right.Manipur: Law, customs, hill-men, language and religion. India: Akansha Publishing House, 2003. p. 641. "... indeed intelligible only to professed scholars who have made it their business to study it. In Mr. Hodson's The Meitheis, there is given a long passage in this ancient dialect with the corresponding words in modern Meithei, and there can be no better example of the rapid changes which can be undergone by a Tibeto-Burman language...".

Writing system

Meitei Mayek, also known as Meetei Mayek, was used to write ancient Meitei language, in stone inscriptions, copper plate inscriptions and manuscript texts.

Literature

The earliest known ancient Meitei language compositions are the Ougri ritual song (before the Common Era) the Numit Kappa (1st century CE) the Poireiton Khunthok (3rd century CE) the Yumbanlol copper plate inscriptions (c. 6th-7th century CE) the Khencho poetry (7th century CE) Khongtekcha's copper plate inscriptions (c. 763-773 CE), the Panthoibi Khonggul (7th-8th century CE).

According to Indian scholar Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra, the ancient Meitei canon has a large collection of broad categories or genres, including (1) literary, (2) Laihui (origin of deities, cults and pantheon), (3) Chinglon (accounts for hills and mountains), (4) Nunglon (accounts on stones and rocks), (5) Khunthoklon (accounts on early human migrations, leading to settlements and civilisations), (6) Meihouron/Meihourol (other accounts on ancient human settlements), (7) Wayen Pathap/Wayel Pathap (judiciary system), (8) Lammitlon (geography and topography), (9) Leisem Nongsemlon / Leishem Nongshemlon (cosmogony and cosmology), (10) Yangpi/Yangbi (ways of different religious and philosophical ideology), (11) Sekning/Shekning, (12) Nauyom/Naoyom, (13) Jagoi Eesei/Isei (dance and music), (14) Sa Lan / Sha Lan (hunting and battles), (15) Tungda Thoklakkadaba (future telling, fortune telling, prophecy), (16) Khonggul/Khongkul (accounts on tracing origins), (17) astrology, (18) Laining Lambi (ways of religious life), (19) Laiphamlon (accounts on holy and sacred sites), (20) Laiyeng Pathap (traditional medicine), (21) Eerat Thounirol / Irat Thouniron (accounts on worship, rites and rituals), (22) Laison Tinson / Laisol Tinsol (accounts on holy and sacred chantings and hymns), (23) historical genre, (24) purely religious genre, (25) Thiren/Thilen/Thilel/Thirel (accounts on great searchings and findings), (26) Mahou, and (27) Paorou Paotak (sayings, proverbs, maxims).

Ritual practices Ancient Meitei hymns form a part of the Meitei folklore associated primarily with Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of the Meitei civilisation. These are typically recited or sung during religious ceremonies, seasonal Meitei festivals, and rites of passage. The content of the hymns includes invocations to deities, cosmological narratives, and expressions of ethical or spiritual principles. Notable songs and hymns are Sana Lamok, Apoklon, Mei, Nonglao Eesei, Louta Eesei, and Phoukouron.Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). "The Early Period". A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9. Ancient Meitei ritual songs are closely associated with the Lai Haraoba festival, notably Ougri, Khencho, Anoirol, and Lairemma Paosa. These compositions are traditionally considered to have been performed since the inception of the festival.

Administration, governance and law The Loiyumpa Silyel (Modern Meitei: "Loiyumba Sinyen") is an 11th-12th century written constitution, regulated in the Manipur kingdom during the regime of King Loiyumba (1074-1122 CE). A promulgation of the proto-constitution in 429 CE by King Naophangba was reduced to a final format in 1110 CE.Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.Sanajaoba, Naorem (1991). Law and Society: Strategy for Public Choice, 2001. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-271-4.

Scholars and scribes In ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur), rulers often patronised the institutions of scholars and scribes to produce and maintain a large collection of manuscript books. One institution was called Maichou Loishang (also spelled as Maichou Loisang). In Meitei language, Loishang or Loisang means office or department, and Maichou literally means "great Maiba", which is a term used to refer to all the scholars. In the medieval times, this old institution of Maichou Loishang later got its parallel institution of Meitei Hindu culture as Pandit Loisang (Pandit Loishang), getting influenced by the Indo-Aryan culture from Bengal. In Sanskrit and Bengali languages, the word Pandit means a scholar.

Revival and preservation efforts

Many scholars in modern times make efforts to revive and preserve ancient Meitei language and literature, by translating from Ancient Meitei to Modern Meitei, transliterating from old Meitei script to modern Meitei script and Bengali script, and publishing dual versions, simultaneously, so that modern population can easily get access to the ancient Meitei linguistic cultural heritage. Oinam Bhogeshwar translated, transliterated and published the following in Modern Meitei versions: Ningthourol Sheireng (1967)Bhogeśwara Siṃha, Oināma. Niṃthaurola śaireṃ. India: n.p., 1967.

Moirang Ningthourol LambubaMeeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. N.p.: ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur), 2014.The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur): Iruwng (King) Kuurkam Ngoruw Moyon & The People of Manipur. N.p.: Shashwat Publication, 2023.

Ningthourol Lambuba (1967/68)Hanjabam, Shukhdeba Sharma; Singh, Aheibam Koireng; Sharma, Kakchingtabam Ruhinikumar (2021-01-01). Manipur Myanmar Connections: An Indic Perspective. Concept Publishing Company. p. 77. ISBN 978-93-88937-84-9.Manipur-Myanmar Historical Connections. India: Concept Publishing Company Pvt. Limited, 2022.Ibohal Singh, Moirangmayum. Constitutional & Legal History of Manipur: With Customs & Laws of the Tribal Peoples of Manipur. India: Samurou Lakpa Mayai Lambi Law College, 1986.Roland Shimmi, Yanao Lungharnao. Comparative History of the Nagas, from Ancient Period Till 1826. India: Inter-India Publications, 1988.

Sanamahi Laikan (Imphal : 1972)Birajit, Soibam (2014-12-01). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM ( Advanced Research Consortium, Manipur). pp. 145, 147.

Nongsamei Puya, Imphal, 1973Sanajaoba, Naorem (1988). Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization. Mittal Publications. pp. 462, 463. ISBN 978-81-7099-853-2.Homeward: Towards a Poetics of Space. N.p.: Zubaan, 2022.American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences 27:4. N.p.: International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT), 2010.

Loyumba Sinyen (1975)Proceedings of North East India History Association. India: The Association, 2000.

Dictionary Ariba Manipuri Longei: Old Manipuri to modern Manipuri Dictionary, was authored by Ningthoukhongjam Khelchandra Singh, under the publication of Manipur State Kala Akademy, Imphal, in 1978.

Annual educational competition Starting from 2011, the Students’ Union of Kangleipak (SUK) annually organises the All Kangleipak Ancient Manipuri Language (Kanglei-lon) Meaning Competition () as an educational initiative to promote knowledge, preservation, and wider appreciation of Ancient Manipuri (Kanglei-lon) vocabulary and the state's linguistic heritage. Open to students from school through postgraduate level, the competition assesses participants' understanding of the meanings of traditional Meitei words and expressions, encouraging the study of indigenous linguistic traditions alongside contemporary education. Conducted in multiple stages, the programme recognises outstanding performers with cash prizes, certificates, mementoes, and consolation awards for finalists, emphasising on academic achievement and language preservation. Organised alongside SUK's State-Level Spelling Competition, the initiative forms part of the organisation's broader efforts towards linguistic excellence, strengthen awareness of Manipur's cultural heritage, encouraging younger generations to engage with and preserve the historical vocabulary of the Meitei language.

Recognition The ISO and the Multitree recognize Ancient Meitei language with a unique code "omp".

Vocabulary

English Archaic Meithei Modern Meithei Etymological Notes button punuŋhəyru hayru punuŋ 'shirt' destination waythuŋ- phəm thuŋphəm way 'whereabout', thun 'reach' phəm 'place' fishing trap lolu lu lon, 'weave', lu 'trap' fishing trap luphui lu phui 'bear, give birth' house lol yim yum yim is presumably the same as yum 'house' to call pəw kəwbə kəwbə pəw 'news' kəw 'call' to fear soŋ kiba kibə soŋ 'dense' ki 'fear' to seat phəmphəmbə phəmbə phəm 'seat' (noun) 'seat' tusk ləŋŋoymoysəyə səmmu məya ləŋŋoy 'elephant', səmmu 'elephant'.Note that moysaya (possibly moy 'their' + sa 'body' + ya 'tooth') has changed to məya (mə- 'third person prefix' + ya 'tooth'). Sample texts The following Old Meitei writings are from an inscription, found in Manipur. Its Modern Meitei equivalent words and literal English translations and formal English translation are also given together. Languages Sentences Section 1 Ancient Meitei Laailemaa chingthaalaalimaamubhu. Modern Meitei Laairemma chingtharaklibabu. English Literal Lairemma which was brought down. Section 2 Ancient Meitei Khaakhaaikhingalbhaana khangdaadunaa. thak Modern Meitei Khaakhaaikhingalbhanaa khangdaduna. thak English Literal by Khaakhaaikhingalbha because he was unaware. on Section 3 Ancient Meitei khudadaa kum. Khouthabhaakaa Modern Meitei khukaada kumme. kouthabaga English Literal the seat descended. as it was invoked Section 4 Ancient Meitei aangaale. aakiba. kaakei. Modern Meitei ngaallee. akiba. kaakei. English Literal brightened. by a radiance of light. frightened. Section 5 Ancient Meitei Laarembhaanaa thouchaalchaarambhaame. Modern Meitei Laairembina thoujanbiriramme. English Literal by the goddess graced with kindness. Section 6 Ancient Meitei Kamthouchaasalkaa thounaadabha amarak ma Haaraak. Modern Meitei Konthoujamga thounaaidaba amurak hannaa Haaorok English Literal Konthoujam on the service once more Haaorok FREE TRANSLATION: The likeness of the goddess, which was brought down by Kaagingamba because he was unaware, descended on the seat. As an invocation to the goddess was performed a bright radiant light frightened the king. Graced by the goddess with kindness, then Konthoujam Haaork once more continued in her service. Gallery

See also State Level Committee for declaration of Manipuri Language as Classical Language of India Puya (Meitei texts) Puya Mei Thaba History of Manipur

References