The ****Tangkhul people, also known as the **Tangkhul **, are a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group living in the Indo–Mayanmar border area, occupying the Ukhrul district and Kamjong district in the Northeast Indian state of Manipur, and in parts of neighbouring Myanmar. Despite this international border, many Tangkhul have continued to regard themselves as "one nation". The name "Tangkhul" is originated from the Meitei language words, "Tang" meaning "scarce" and "Khul" meaning "village" respectively. According to another theory of origin, the term "Tangkhul" is derived from "Thankhul", meaning "Than village" in Meitei language.

History

The Tangkhuls are believed to have migrated from China via Myanmar along with Meitei and other Naga tribes like Angami, Chakhesang, Mao, Poumai, Maram, Thangal and Zeliangrong and dispersed together from Makhel.

Relationship with the Meiteis

Haoreima, the Meitei goddess of tragic love and separation, was actually a deified person of the Tangkhul origin. She was a daughter of Khelemba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingdai village, and was married to Khamlangba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingshong village. Despite marrying Khamlangba, she had a secret love affair with Meitei king Meidingu Tabungba, also called Tabung Saphaba (1359-1394). Upon discovering the secret relationship between the two, Khamlangba, getting furious, beheaded Tabung Saphaba. Shocked by the tragic death of her lover, Haoreima took away her lover's head to the Kanglei Pungmayol. Later, she also died, following her lover's path and was eventually venerated as the Meitei goddess of tragic love and separation. She is also identified as goddess Ireima, who's also an incarnation of goddess Panthoibi of the Meitei pantheon.

Notable people