Meitei diaspora


The Meitei diaspora, also known as the Manipuri diaspora, comprises individuals of Meitei ethnicity, who have migrated from their ancestral homeland of Manipur, a state in northeastern India, to various regions across the world. Historically, movements of Meitei populations have occurred due to political, economic, and educational factors, as well as regional instability, most significantly during the Seven Years' Devastation of Manipur Kingdom. Notable Meitei communities exist in neighboring countries such as Myanmar and Bangladesh, as well as in more distant locations including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, Korea and the Gulf states. The diaspora maintains varying degrees of cultural, linguistic, and social ties to Manipur, while also adapting to the contexts of their host societies.

Geographical distribution

The Meitei diaspora is geographically distributed in several countries. In Australia, they are primarily concentrated in the cities of Sydney and Melbourne. In Bangladesh, a significant number reside in the Sylhet division. In Canada, notable communities are established in Montreal of Quebec, and Toronto of Ontario. In Myanmar, Meitei populations are found mainly in the eastern states of Kachin and Shan, as well as in the Yangon, Sagaing, and Ayeyarwaddy administrative divisions. South Korea hosts a visible Meitei presence in the city of Anseong, near Seoul. In the United Kingdom, Meitei individuals are present in regions including Kent, Worcester, Nottingham, Hertfordshire, and Sheffield. In the United States, the diaspora was initially more widely dispersed, with smaller populations in states such as New Jersey, Illinois, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and California, but later settled in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama, and Florida.

Culture

Clothing

Dance and music

dance, also known as Thoibi Jagoi, is performed in Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, among others.
Leima Jagoi is performed by the Meitei diaspora community in Canada, the United States, among others.
Maibi Jagoi dance is performed in Australia, Bangladesh, among others.
Pung Cholom dance is performed by the Meitei diaspora community in Canada, among others.
Thabal Chongba dance, also known as Thabal dance, is performed by the Meitei diaspora community in Bangladesh, Canada, Korea, the United States, among others.

Festivals

, or Sajibu Cheiraoba, is celebrated by the Meitei diaspora community in Australia, Korea, the United States, among others.
Lai Haraoba in Bangladesh and Lai Haraoba in Myanmar are notable celebrations of Lai Haraoba outside India. In Bangladesh, it was celebrated with the help of the UNESCO and the Government of Bangladesh in 2025.
Ningol Chakouba or Ningol Chakkouba is celebrated by Meitei diaspora community in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, among others.
Yaoshang or Yaosang is celebrated by the Meitei diaspora community in the United States, among others.

Language

is the common linguistic identity of all the diaspora members belonging to the Meitei ethnicity living across the globe.
In Bangladesh, the Meitei language may disappear in the next generation because many Meitei people are now speaking Bengali more fluently than their own language.
In Myanmar, most Meiteis still speak their native language. However, some younger Meiteis have stopped speaking it after converting to Buddhism, as Burmese language is more socially accepted in the Buddhist society in their country.
Second-generation and third-generation Meitei people in the United States may have limited proficiency in Meiteilon and are typically more comfortable with English.

Associations and organizations