Customs of Manipur

Speaking about the customs of Manipur, one have to come across the traditions and practices of various tribes and communities like the Meitie, Naga, Kuki, Kubuis, Mao, Tangkhul, Liangmei, Maram, Thangal. Maring, Zemis, Anal, Moyon and several others.

However the major chunk of the population constitutes of the Meities, Nagas and Kukis. The Meities are generally known as the Manipuris and boasts of a great cultural and historical background. The salient feature of Manipuri society is that it is dominated by women.. They shoulder the responsibility to earn and run the family.

Two types of marriages are practiced as per the Manipuri customs – marriage by elopement and marriage by engagement. In an arranged engagement marriage, the groom's father provides the wedding expenses. Post marriage the newly wed couple lives in a separate house in the same village. All of the father's property is shared by the sons except the ancestral house, which will go to the youngest son only. Marriages outside their Gotras are not allowed. Manipuris are usually monogamous but the practice of polygamy is also very much present in Manipur.

The Manipuris, especially the women, love to dress beautifully with colorful clothes and flowers.