Meitei men

thumb|Meitei men traditionally practice martial arts like Sarit Sarak The Meitei men or Manipuri men of Manipur, the dominant ethnic group inhabiting the Imphal Valley, have historically embodied a unique blend of physical strength, martial discipline, and cultural depth. Rooted in centuries of warfare, hero worship, and traditional sports, Meitei masculinity has been shaped by both necessity and reverence for ancestral valor. While their bodies were trained for battle and endurance, their minds were equally captivated by tales of love, adventure, and honor. Quotes Though circumstances forced the Meitei men to live a Spartan life, always ready for offensive and defensive, and a good part of his education consisted in the martial arts, and a good part of his active life was devoted to compulsory military service, he found his heart's solace in these stories of love and adventure. But flaming passion-the truth of the heart in human love-had its own illumination. By Hawaibam Ranbir Singh (article "Vaisnavism in Manipur Its Advance," from the book "Vaisnavism in Manipur Volume 1" page no. 85) The Meitei men generally medium-statured, are strong, muscular and well-built, and have well-developed limbs and broad chests. They wear their hair long, combed back from the forehead and gathered into a coil behind. By Col Ved Prakash (Encyclopaedia of North-East India Volume 4 page no. 1549) Manipuri men were known for their valour and physical prowess in olden times. Sports like wrestling, coconut races, horse polo, boat races, and martial arts are popular forms of sports demonstrating one's physical prowess. The pre-historical days of Manipur were characterized by constant wars and feuds that demanded that Manipuri men be physically energetic. Thus, Meitei folklore is also replete with glorification of the valour and strength of men. By Leisangthem Gitarani Devi (in the book "Knowing Differently The Challenge of the Indigenous (2015)" page no. 132) Every Manipuri male was a born warrior fighter in the past. To express and maintain the dignity of the heroic ancestors was their foremost deity. Hero worship is their cult. Their motto is "the world is for the brave"... The culture of Manipuri martial art went hand in hand with the consolidation of their political power and society. Singh (1993b, p. 47) from the book "Northeast India Through the Ages A Transdisciplinary Perspective on Prehistory, History, and Oral History (2022)" ...Manipuris are decidedly a muscular race, some of them particularly so; they are generally spare in habit of body, and fat people are rare. They have good chests and well formed limbs... By Chander Sheikhar Panchani (in the book "Manipur, Religion, Culture, and Society (1987)" page no. 38) Meiteis constitute the main population of the main valley. Men are muscular and stout with a well-developed chest and hard limbs. They possess enormous stamina and muscular power. The improvised Mongol features distinguish them from other Mongolian races. Hairs are generally coarse and black. By Sircar (The Consumer In The North-East: New Vistas For Marketing. India: Pearson Education, 2006. page no. 115) The average somatotype of the affluent Meitei boys is categorically mesomorph-ectomorph... By Indian Anthropological Society (Journal of the Indian Anthropological Society. India: The Society, 2001. page no. 243) External links