Amrapaali / January 2015
WORDS
9
SAVING THE
TARAO TRIBE
BY PRANAAME BHAGAWATI
The Tarao Naga tribe is one of many Naga
tribes in Manipur. Manipur and Nagaland
are the two neighboring states situated in
the northeast of India and has strong
connections
to
the
episodes
of
Mahabharata too!
Bhabhruvahana, Arjuna’s most valiant son
who defeated his father in a war during the
course of Ashwamedh is begotten through
the
princess
of
Manipur,
named
Chitrangada during the period of Arjuna’s
exile at Manipur. Bhabhruvahana was
adopted as a son by his maternal
grandfather
and
later
became
the
successor of his grandfather’s kingdom.
Now, here stands an exciting loop carrying
ahead the significance. Uloopi is Arjuna’s
Naga princess and she had a major role as
a stepmother to Bhabhruvahana and also
in saving Arjuna’s life in some instances.
Iravan was the son of Arjuna and Uloopi.
There are many characters that revolves in
different episodes of the Mahabharata from
the northeast India. I’ll surely bring a write
upon it in near time. I’ve brought this
collective report based on the reports of epao.net, matterindia.com, Hueiyen Lanpao
Editorial and Wikipedia upon the to be
extinct Tarao tribe of Manipur.
Manipur is incomplete without the Taraos like many of its other
communities like the Meities, Tangkhuls and the Hmars. The
Tarao tribe speaks Taraotrong and Meiteilon as well. But, the
Taraos are now on verge of extinction.
A Tarao girl. Photo
courtesy: e-pao.org
The Manipur State Government in 2003 have recognized the
Tarao tribe for its characteristic cultural heritage on basis of its
traditional attire and its performing arts. But, the UNESCO
found in its report of 2009 that, the Tarao language as extinct.
In addition to this, the report listed the languages Aimol,
Andro/Phayeng, Chairel/Chakpa under ‘List of endangered
languages’ have become extinct. It is sad to note that, such
loss of culture is loss to the community and their
HOME
composite existence.