Understanding The Culture Of The Meiteis Through Oral Narrative Genres

Abstract

This study explores the oral narratives of the Meitei, an ethnic group from Manipur, India, focusing on folk tales, myths, and legends. These narratives serve as a reflective medium, offering insights into the social, political, kinship, and religious dimensions of Meitei society. By examining these stories, the study aims to uncover the symbolic expressions within their social system. The research employs a comprehensive methodological approach, including interviews with pundits and religious specialists at sacred shrines, participant observation of local storytellers known as wari liba, and life-history techniques from elders who have preserved the tradition of oral storytelling. This anthropological investigation into the cultural context of Meitei oral literature reveals deep-seated insights into their human experience.