Meitei confederacy

Meitei confederacy, also known as Meitei confederation, refers to a union of seven groups or clans (Meitei: Yek Salai 7) of the Meitei ethnicity. The seven components of the Meitei confederacy are Ningthouja (also known as Mangang), Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Moirang (Moilang), Khaba-Nganba (Kha-Nganba) and Chenglei (also known as Sarang/Salang/Salai Leisangthem).

Prior to unification and formation of the "Meitei confederacy," these groups were independent kingdoms ruled by their own kings. The Mangang, also called the Ningthouja group, defeated the other groups and the Ningthouja king became the supreme ruler. Initially, the name "Meitei" referred only to the Ningthouja group, but by the 15th century, it came to refer to all the groups. Over time, the seven groups united to form one nation but remained separate entities. Today, these 7 groups still play an important role in the social structure of Meitei civilisation, especially in determining marriage patterns. The Meiteis do not marry within the same group or yek salai.