General Information of Inpui (Kabui) Naga

image credit: Gaisinglung Bariam

Country: India

Name: Inpui (Kabui)
Official/Recognised: Inpui & Kabui (Refer to government gazette) 
Inpui is also known by different names such as Kabui, Pooeron, Puirwan, Puimi, Puimei (used by Zeliangrong), Puimi, Makhwammei (used by Liangmei) etc.

States Location in Northeast India :

Manipur: Noney, Tamenglong, Senapati, Kangpokpi, Churchandpur, Imphal East and West

Nagaland: Dimapur, Kohima & Peren districts (Jalukie and Athibung) & a small number reside in Mizoram and Assam.

Population: Approximately 10,000 (census underway)

Headquarters: Haochong (Pantong) Subdivision, Noney District

Villages in Noney District:

Haochong (Pantong), Ijeirong (Tuilimon), Oktan (Puichi), Pungmon (Chingchen), Kabuikhullen I & II (Lwanzaang), Tamsamwan, Bakuwa, Nungtek I & II, Karwangmwan I & II, Khumji & Noney area.

Tamenglong District: Tamenglong headquarters

Senapati District: Makuilongdi III, Waphong, and Senapati headquarters

Imphal West District: Yurembam (Inlu and Inte) Kabuikhul, Changangei Kabuikhul, Tamphagei Kabuikhul, Aramzi Kabuikhul (Sagolband), Ringseimwan (Pantilong).

Imphal East: Ragailong, Majorkhul, etc.

Prominent historical figures: 

Kabui Salang Maiba (From Puichi settled in Khonglong)

Kabui Nangmucha Haochongba (the royal sculptor of King Irengba)

Christian Pioneer: Maipak Namrijiang Inka (Bakuwa)

Religion:

Christianity- Roman Catholic (Yurembam Inte/Tamenglong, Jalukie), Baptist (the majority of the Inpuis are Baptist), Seventh Day Adventist (Yurembam).

Animism (traditional religion): Tamphagei, Yurembam, Changangei, Aramzi (Sagolband), Ringseimwan (Pantilong), etc.

Major Festivals:

The major festivals of the Inpuis are Karing Ngei, Takaan Ngei, Into Sumdumnu, Baku Intonu, Taphu Intonu, Turakha Intonu, Taru Ka-am, Kalomdei zu in, Kutchat Bangei, Kumgon, Solem, Richam Tusanu, Tuikhun Khwan,  Katang Kenu, Rangaak Kenu, Thourangnu, Rikaliam Tarok, Muliang, Tataaknu, Nabitnu, Kaliamnu, Chaganu, Saangkounu, Bangeipui, Ka-amnu, Nam aannu, Taswat, Thingkalwang Kainu,  Kathingtui Bangei, Christmas, Sangwan Kathan, Easter, etc.

Major Occupation:

Subsistence agriculture farming (slash and burn/swidden, shifting agriculture/jhum), terrace farming (wet water farming), agro-based farms, handicraft/basketry, animal husbandry, kitchen gardening, hunting and fishing, etc. 

Government schools:

Haochong High School, Primary schools in Ijeirong, Puichi, Pungmon, Kabuikhullen, Nungtek etc.

Private schools:

Berean Baptist Academy (Lukhambi, Noney)
Paangkriang Friendship School (Ijeirong)

There are few other private schools in villages like Puichi, Kabuikhullen, etc. 

Major Social Institutions:

Secular:

Inpui Naga Union (INU) (Located at Haochong), All Inpui Students’ Union (AISU) (Located at Haochong), Inpui Women’s Union (Office located at Ijeirong), Inpui Youth Organization (IYO), Inpui Literature Society (ILS), Haochong Sub Division Village Authority Council, etc.

Religious Institutions:

Inpui Naga Baptist Churches Association(INBCA) located at Haochong, Inpui Theological Society (ITS), etc.

Neighboring Tribes:

Rongmei (Tanganrwan), Liangmei (Lengrwan), Kharam (Inkou rwan), Chiru, Kuki (Khongsairwan), and Meitei (Bateirwan).

Major rivers:

Tuilang (Irang), Lingkwa, Ra-ah (Ijei)

Tributaries: Sensikwang, Manukwa,Tuipuikwa, Nungrakwa etc.

Major Mountain peaks:

Baanphi Ramwan, Antrimwanbut, Kabuikhullen, etc. 

Major Tourist Attractions in Haochong Sub-Division:

1. Irang river

2. Bakuakhai waterfall (Kabuikhullen)

3.Tuilut waterfall (Kabuikhullen)

4. Ramahnu Inkamriak (Haochong)

5. Railway Pillars (Nungtek & Khumji)

6. Ramahnu Kehiak (Haochong)

7. Helipad (Haochong)

8. Ijeirong (Tuilimon)

9. Haochong Old Village site

10. Prayer Mount (Haochong)

11. Antrimwanbut Mountain (Haochong)

12. Biggest log drum (Haochong) 

13. Rampwang Keh (elephant foot), Ijei River

14. Awangkhul village and Machiang oraange farm (Both Rongmei villages)

First Amongst Inpui:

First High School: Haochong High School(Village school, 1946)

First Private School: Rose English School (1977/Defunct)

First matriculate: R.Kujinang 

First Graduate: R. Kujinang (need authentication)

First Matriculate (Women): Meikhemlu Khumba (1988)

First Doctorate: Athoi Inka (2009/History) from Haochong settled in Majorkhul.

Doctorate holders: Machungwangliu Inka (2015), Ahem Inkah (2016/Hindi), A.Lozaanba Khumba Geography), Sachoiba Inkah (Political Science/International Relations)

First Doctor: Elizabeth Bariam

Doctors: Ruthi Bariam, Memi Bariam. James Kabui

First Women Civil Engineering: Deborah Khumba

First MA (Political Science): Alung Khumba

First MSC: Namdijei Kh (need authentication)

First Doctorate Theology (honorary): Rev. Hibou Khumba

Doctorate holders in theology: Solomon Riamroi, Samuel Khumba

Gazetted officer: Chikhuang Khumba (Circle officer 1919) of Tamphoimuan village. Circle Officer (1919) settled at Keisamthong (his post needs authentication)

First Army officer: Nk.Gaigonglung Major (Retd)

First Sub-Inspector (Women): Lancha Inka (resigned from the post)

First Commercial Pilot: Kameiguang (Haochongmei) (From Haochong settled at Majorkhul)

First Air Hostess: Aguina Khumba 

First Navy: Ronald Bariam (Haochong)

Village with Highest Literacy: Haochong (92.33, 2011 census)

First Christian convert: Namrijinang Maipak Inka (1914)

2nd Batch of Christian converts: Poujenthwanang 1927, B.Tingjuanang 1927, B.Barambuiba 1927 F/o Kujinang, B.katasiba 1927 F/o Pishamba, NK.Meishingkamang 1927 F/o Maj Gaigonglung.

First Inpui Evangelist: Maipak Namrijinang
First Reverend: Nk.Reisom 

Primary Health Center (1979): Haochong

Sub Deputy Collector Office: Haochong in 1975 inaugurated by R.K.Dorendro, CM of Manipur

Biggest Village: Haochong village

Highest Population (2011 census): Haochong village

Highest Number of Government Employees: Haochong

Inpui Naga Baptist Churches Association (INBCA)

First Christian convert: Namrijinang Maipak Inka (1914)

Village Wise First Christian Convert:

Pungmon: B.Poujenthuanang & Friends (1927)

Nungtek: Nk Aki (1931)

Puichi: B.Guilinang (1946)

Ijeirong: B.Kinjinang (1946)

Haochong: Mrs.Agui, Mrs.Mathiukimlu (1959)

Kabuikhullen: NK.Lojengamang (1959)

Changangei: Nk.Ahenthoi (1971)

Yurembam: Nk.Ningthoujao (1994)

Inthan: B.Poukeng (1959)

Makuilongdi: B.Hunglin

Year of Establishment of Churches:

First Church established: Pungmon (1930). As an organized church on April 15, 1952 (Pungmon Church celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 1980)

Nungtek: 1936

Ijeirong: 1946

Oktan: 1949

Haochong: 1959

Kabuikhullen: 1959

Changangei: 1978

Kabuikhullen lower: 1975

Nungtek Upper: 1983

Bakuwa: 1994

Yurembam: 1995

Name of Inpui Churches:

i)Yurembam I ii) Changangei iii) Tamphagei iv) Makuilongdi v) Waphong vi) Pungmon vii) Karwangmwan I viii) Karwangmwan II ix)) Nungtek I (Elohim) x) Nungtek II  xi) Haochong xii) Ijeirong xiii) Puichi xiv) Kabuikhullen I xv) Kabuikhullen II xvi) Bakuwa xvii) Inpui Baptist Church, Tamenglong xviii) Yurembam II xix) Tamsamwan xx) Inpui Baptist Rupkathan, Khumji xxi) Inpui Baptist Church, Sangtamtilla, xxii) Inpui Baptist Church Delhi

Inpui Christain Fellowships:

i) INBCA fellowship, Haochong

ii) Senapati Inpui Fellowship

 iii) Sungcham Fellowship, Dimapur

v) Inpui Baptist Fellowship, Imphal

vi) Inpui Christian Fellowship, Chennai

Mary Immaculate Catholic Church: Yurembam (Inaugurated 15 January 2021 by Most Rev.Dominic Lumon). This is the first and only Catholic Church of the Inpui (Kabui)

 Inpui Naga Baptist Churches Association Journey:

Zeliangrong Association: 1946 (Inpui included).Nk. Achun, Souvenir Diamond Jubilee. 1995 p. 17) stated “Bataknuba Zeliangrong diba Zerwan, Lengrwan khatle Tangan rwan za ding za theinu menge atiyeda banina agei subtribes 4 ding theinu rwe rinne atiga Inpui rwan za nwam mak ngaak peida suiga chwan to bacham hungnu rwe”. 

South East Manipur Association 4 (BYF Secretary (1961)- Nk. Chingthuijin, President-Kusanlung, Evangelist-Khiamlung)

Some Inpui leaders worked under Zeliangrong Baptist Association known by various names before forming a separate Inpui Association. Those leaders include Nk. Chingthuijin (Vice President, Zeliangrong Association (1983) with Athuibou as President, Rev. Kaiba as Mission Director), Pouriangui Bariam (Evangelist), Nk. Kadilinang (ZBA Evangelist/1961-65) Kuthoi Khumba (Youth Promoter), etc.

Hamei Baptist Association: (22 February 1974)

Inpui Association was known as Hamei North East Fellowship inaugurated by Rev. MP. Namthiurei at Pungmon Village on April 5, 1974, with Kh. Kadimunang as Chairman (28/6/1974)

Eastern Churches Fellowship (10 February 1976, based on dialect)

Kabui Churches Fellowship (7-11 January 1981)

Upgrade to Association level on March 27, 1985

Kabui Naga Baptist Churches Association (KNBA) office was constructed at Haochong in 1975

KCF got the Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) Provisional Association in 1987

Kabui Naga Baptist Association (KNBA) was inaugurated by Rev. Kaiba Riamei on 29 January 1988

Annual delegate held at Changangei Baptist Church in 1989 expanded office workers:

Executive Secretary (ES), Finance Secretary (FS) (honorary), Youth Secretary (YS), Women Secretary (WS), Education & Literary,  Relief & Development Secretary (Honorary)  and Chowkidar

Kabui Naga Baptist Association's (KNBA)  new office building was inaugurated by NK. Kadilin in 20/12/1990

First Office Bearers in INBCA (KINBA) according To Post:

First Secretary: B Baremchei

First Finance Secretary: R. Fenjin

First Youth Promoter: Kh. Kuthoi

First Women Secretary: Nk. Achun

First Accountant: Kh.Yaima

First Chawkidar: Kh. Bashungreiba

Honorary Secretaries: 
1. L. Khumba (relief & Development)
2. Kh. Agak (Education & Literature Secretary)

First Revival Movements in Churches:

Haochong: November 12, 1978

Ijeirong: December 31, 1978

Pungmon: April 7, 1979

Puichi: July 1, 1979

Kabuikhullen Upper: April 10, 1979

Kabuikhullen Lower: 1980

Nungtek Lower: 1979

Nungtek Upper: 1979

Inthan (Waphong): 1979

Changangei: 1980

Makuilongdi: 1980

INBCA Major Milestones:

1. KINBA Passover Celebration (1927-1995) at Haochong, December 15-17, 1995

2. INBCA  2000 AD Celebration

3. INBCA Centenary at Bakuwa in 2014

Brief of Inpui Naga Union (INU)

Establishment and Change of Nomenclature

Inpui Naga Group:

First President: Kh.Adumba (1955-59)

First Secretary: Kadiniba

Inpui Naga Union:

First President: Gangloulung (1959-65)

First Secretary: Kh.Kadimunang

Kabui Naga Union:

First President: Kh.Adumba (1965-78)

First Secretary: Kujinang

Inpui Kabui Naga Union (1994)

First President: B.Aloh

First Secretary: B.Thambou

Re-settlement of  Bakuwa March 8, 1994, inaugurated by G. Abuiba, Vice President Zeliangrong Union.

Inpui Christian Literature Society:

First President: R.Kujinang (1961)

Kabui Naga Literature Society (1959):

First President: Kh.Ataba

First Secretary: Pourengui

Inpui Women Union (recognized by Naga Women Union, Manipur in 2002):

First President: Maikhem Khumba

Recognition:

Inpui recognized by the government of India: 2011

Inpui recognized by Naga Hoho: 2008

Inpui recognized by UNC: 2003

Inpui recognized by Tenyimi Central Union: 2007

Inpui Women Union (recognized by Naga Women Union, Manipur in 2002)

Past Outstanding Leaders:

Late. NK.Kadilin, Late. Rev. B .Baremchei, Late. Kadimunang, Late. BT. Sathoi Late Kh.Kadimunang, Late.Lazarus Khumba, Late.Kh.Arei, Late Abuiba Bariam etc.

Members of ADC/MDC, Tamenglong:

First: R.Guilung

Others: B.Aloh, Kh.Adumba, B.Thambou

Notable Books /Booklet(s):

1. Kathang Swaknu Laa: NK.Kadilin (1955)

2. Christian Laazaam: Pungmon Baptist Youth Fellowship (1956)

3. Church Laa: B. Renjin (1977)

4. Christian Laazaam: Kabuikhullen Baptist Youth Fellowship (1989) (second edition)

5. Christian Laazaam Third Edition ISUD

6. Pikathannu Laa Kh.Kuthoi (1982)

7. Pikathannu Laa Second Edition

8. Pikathannu Laa Third edition (2014)

9. Ranswak Thangnu Laa: Kh.Alung

10. First Primer in Inpui: Adumba Kh.

11. Daily strength: Nk. Achun (1987)

12. A New Start Lazarus Khumba (1991)

13. New Testament (Chounghen Kathan) : Traslated by Kujinang Bariam and Kapangai Inka

14. Taleiya Tatonu Gongbi Hungna nu rubo? : Lazarus Khumba

15. Zaosian nu Kutchoi: Kh.Kuthoi

16. Inpui Naga Folk Tales Thouchiak Thoucha Kama Pupi Meiri, NK Greenson Kaiphun-ga (2013)

17. The Origin of Inpui Tribe and Their Culture. K Andrew Bariampaan (2010)

18. Development Perspective of Inpui, Critical Study on Development Perspective: Ragnya Gachui (2012)

19. The Kabui (Inpui) Naga: An Identity Crisis. Unpublished manuscript: K. Alung Khumba

20 Church souvenirs of Haochong, Ijeirong, Puichi, Kabuikhullen, Nungtek, etc.

21. An Introduction to the History of Christianity Among the Inpui Nagas. K.Kapangai

22. Tribe Recognition Celebration of the Inpui Naga in Manipur and Nagaland: K.Kapangai

23. Thabaan Sanu Zingpha (2017). Isaac Inkah

24. Inpui Naga Karing Ngei (2018): Reproducing Oral Narratives. Sachoiba Inkah (2019)

25. Inpui (Kabui) Ponnaat, Inpui Naga Women's Union, 2022

26. Kabuimei (Inpui): The People who followed the Trail Mithuns,  Merachao Inka, 2022

27. The Missional Church: Inpui Naga, Historical Journey Towards the Purpose, Salem Khumba (2023)

28. Inpui Lungh (Living of Inpui), Inpui Thampei Khang, 2023

29. Ten Years of God's Faithfulness (A Brief History of Inpui Baptist Church Delhi), Sachoiba Inkah (2023)

Names of several books/booklets/magazines and authors are still missing in the above list.

Major magazine & Newsletter:

Kala-Khwanbaang (formerly Tamsaipwak, published by Inpui Students' Union, Delhi)
KNBA Buletin (defunct)
Reformer (Haochong Students' Organization)
Chamthwan (Inpui Baptist Church, Sangtamtilla)

Chamthwan (Inpui Baptist Church Delhi)
Antrimwanbut Khwan (emagazine) 
Ningbwan Khwan (All Inpui Students' Union), etc.

Important internet sites which write about the Inpuis:

i) . https://sites.google.com/..../inpuinaga/home  (Kh. Alung)

ii). www.isaacnka.blogspot.com/antrimwanbutkhwan (Isaac Inkah)

Youtube Channels: Antrimwanbut Khwan, InpuiInn, We the Inpui, InsiNew, etc.

Facebook: We the Inpui, Home of Inpui, Inpui, Kabui-Inpui Warrior, etc.

Sources/References:

1. Nk. Achun, Souvenir, Kabui Naga Baptist Churches Association,  Diamond Jubilee. 1995

2. Haochong Baptist Church, Golden Jubilee, Souvenir, 2009

3. Tamsaipwak, Publication of ISUD, 2010
4. Inpui Naga Karing Ngei 2018: Reproducing Oral Narratives (2019), Sachoiba Inkah

5. An Introduction to All Inpui Students' Union, Sachoiba Inkah (2022)

6. Feedback from readers

Disclaimer: The above information is aimed to give a brief overview (not exhaustive/comprehensive) of the Inpui  (Kabui)Naga. 

If there is a need for addition or correction, kindly suggest it in the comment column below or write to isaacnka@gmail.com.