Liangmai Language Resource

Part of CoRSAL

About the Language

Liangmai is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the states of Manipur and Nagaland in India. The ISO 639-3 code and Glottocode for Liangmai are njn and lian1251, respectively. According to the 2011 census of India, there are 49,811 Liangmai speakers. The population is concentrated in the Tamei area under the Tamenglong district of Manipur. Still, a considerable population of Liangmai speakers are found in Senapati, Kangpokpi and Imphal West districts of Manipur, and the Peren district of Nagaland.

About the Collection

This is a collection of folk songs and oral literature collected from 2012-2022. The present activities of archiving Liangmai folk songs and folk tales in CoRSAL are supported by the Endangered Language Fund and Firebird Foundation for Anthropological Research.

Liangmai folk songs can be divided into four categories: legendary folk songs, agrarian folk songs, festive folk songs and lullabies. The legendary songs are about love, war and victory of personal achievements. Songs are sung and composed by well-known members of the Liangmai community including Mangaisang, Khenzinnang, Wijinthuii, Baloing, Marankhiung, Rengsunnang, Niureng, and Kaihuii. Kaihuii, also known as Kaiguiyang, is the most popular composer. He was from Niamning village.

Oral literature includes folk tales, myths, and other narratives. In addition, traditional activities such as folk dance, weaving, and rice/vegetable pounding are included. These items were collected as part of a project titled "Documenting the unexplored oral literature of Liangmai" funded by Firebird Foundation for Anthropological Research.