THE MEITEI YEK SALAI
Among the Meitei Yek Salai, there are specific surnames (known as Yek Salai courting levels) that are considered prohibited for marriage. These include Yek tinnaba, Shairuk tinnaba, Pee tinnaba, Pen tinnaba, Leinung pen tinnaba, Mungnaba, and Ngaknaba. Individuals belonging to these surnames cannot have a valid marriage. Of these, Yek tinnaba is considered the most significant prohibition. It is believed that children born from such relationships may be handicapped. Additionally, the parents may die prematurely, and any religious devotions may not be successful. The family may also face misfortune.
Yek Salai (clan) is a group of surnames (Sageis) that share a common ancestor and interrelationships based on that ancestry. Currently, there are seven Yek Salai among the Meitei people in Manipur: Mangang, Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Moirang, Khaba-Nganba, and Sarang-Leishangthem.
Mangang: Mangang Apokpa khoiramba numit asi Inga gi 15 ni panba Thursday numit asida khoiramgani, hairiba asi Mangang Salai manungda chanba Sagei cha singgi apokpa khoirambasu hairiba Inga gi 15ni panba asida pangthoknei. Khoirambada changba natragana Mangang gi oina maru oina khangjinba yaba sing adudi:
Color – Red
Water – Nungjeng ekondagi laugani
Fish – Sareng Ngangleinaba
Knife – Chakthang
Fire – Meiyei
Wood – Sayi
La – Changbi La
Hairiba sing asi Mangang salai gi oina khangjindaba yadaba amadi Lai gi thauram taubada changba maru oiba sing aduni.
Luwang: Luwang Apokpa khoiramba numit asi Wakching gi 12 ni panba Friday numit asida khoiramgani, hairiba asi Luwang Salai manungda chanba Sagei cha singgi apokpa khoirambasu hairiba Wakching gi 12ni panba asida pangthoknei. Khoirambada changba natragana Luwang gi oina maru oina khangjinba yaba sing adudi:
Color – White
Water – Lamphelpat
Fish – Sareng Angouba
Knife – Tondumba
Fire – Thoiju Kambi
Wood – Heikru
La – Larong La
Hairiba sing asi Luwang salai gi oina khangjindaba yadaba amadi Lai gi thauram taubada changba maru oiba sing aduni.
Khuman: Khuman Apokpa khoiramba numit asi Sajibu gi Thanil 15 ni panba Tuesday numit asida khoiramgani, hairiba asi Khuman Salai manungda chanba Sagei cha singgi apokpa khoirambasu hairiba Sajibu gi Thanil 15ni panba asida pangthoknei. Khoirambada changba natragana Khuman gi oina maru oina khangjinba yaba sing adudi:
Color – Black
Water – Pumlen Pat
Fish – Sareng Mureinaba
Knife – Tonkakpa
Fire – Meithang Taretmei
Wood – Chaokhong
La – Changbi La
Hairiba sing asi Khuman Salai gi oina khangjindaba yadaba amadi Lai gi thauram taubada changba maru oiba sing aduni.
Angom: Angom Apokpa khoiramba numit asi Ingen gi 12 ni panba Monday numit asida khoiramgani, hairiba asi Angom Salai manungda chanba Sagei cha singgi apokpa khoirambasu hairiba Ingen gi 12ni panba asida pangthoknei. Khoirambada changba natragana Angom gi oina maru oina khangjinba yaba sing adudi:
Color – Yellow
Water – Kongba Meirombi
Fish – Sareng Napu
Knife – Pukthang
Fire – Meiba
Wood – Upan
La – Layai La
Hairiba sing asi Angom salai gi oina khangjindaba yadaba amadi Lai gi thauram taubada changba maru oiba sing aduni.
Moirang: Moirang Apokpa khoiramba numit asi Lamta gi 12 ni panba Saturday numit asida khoiramgani, hairiba asi Moirang Salai manungda chanba Sagei cha singgi apokpa khoirambasu hairiba Lamta gi 12ni panba asida pangthoknei. Khoirambada changba natragana Moirang gi oina maru oina khangjinba yaba sing adudi:
Color – Mu+Ngang
Water – Loktak Pat
Fish – Sareng Marangba
Knife – Matok Panba
Fire – Meithang Ahum Mei
Wood – Kuhi
La – Khang gra La
Hairiba sing asi Moirang salai gi oina khangjindaba yadaba amadi Lai gi thauram taubada changba maru oiba sing aduni.
Khaba Nganba: Khaba Nganba Apokpa khoiramba numit asi Kalen gi 15 ni panba Sunday numit asida khoiramgani, hairiba asi Khaba Nganba Salai manungda chanba Sagei cha singgi apokpa khoirambasu hairiba Kalen gi 15ni panba asida pangthoknei. Khoirambada changba natragana Khaba nganba gi oina maru oina khangjinba yaba sing adudi:
Color – Mangra Machu
Water – Takna Kha Puruk Shoubi
Fish – Sareng Ngang Ngouba
Knife – Laithang Chinnaiba
Fire – Leikham Kambi
Wood – Heikeng
La – Leihou La
Hairiba sing asi Khaba Nganba salai gi oina khangjindaba yadaba amadi Lai gi thauram taubada changba maru oiba sing aduni.
Sarang Leishangthem: Sarang Leishangthem Apokpa khoiramba numit asi Fairen gi 26ni panba Wednesday numit asida khoiramgani, hairiba asi Sarang Leishangthem Salai manungda chanba Sagei cha singgi apokpa khoirambasu hairiba Fairen gi 26ni panba asida pangthoknei. Khoirambada changba natragana Sarang Leishangthem gi oina maru oina khangjinba yaba sing adudi:
Color – Atiya Machu
Water – Takyel Pat
Fish – Sareng Sangbannaba
Knife – Khunthok Laithang
Fire – Meithang Manga Mei
Wood – Nongleishang
La – Thamna
Hairiba sing asi Sarang Leishangthem salai gi oina khangjindaba yadaba amadi Lai gi thauram taubada changba maru oiba sing aduni.