| Abstract: | The Lamkang tribe of Manipur, North East India is one of the oldest inhabitants in the southern part of present Manipur state. Nevertheless, the tribe’s name, origin, people, culture, etc. are yet to explore to the outside world until today. This research will expound the autochthonous nature of the tribe in that region. Manipur History mentioned their existence and contact with them since the first century A.D. and the tribe’s legend, folklores and oral tradition date back to 4004 BCE. They are called ‘Ksen’ people by themselves and neighboring kindred tribe even today. However, etymologically the appellation ‘Lamkang’ was believed to be entitled by outsiders probably the Meitei people. In the ensuing generations, the tribe is recorded in the Meitei King’s Chronicles and Government documents as ‘Lamngang’ and ‘Lamgang’. Later the people called themselves, as ‘Lamkang’ tribe today may be because of their phonetic inconvenient faced by the people. Thus, etymological analysis of nomenclature from ‘Ksen’ tribe to ‘Lamkang’ tribe is highly needed to reconnect their origin, people, culture and history today. Thus, connotation and evolution of the name itself will explicitly inform the people and their history to both the insiders and outsiders. |
