Ritual Economy in Tangkhul Society: Marriage, Festivals and Resource Redistribution

This study examines the role of the ritual economy in maintaining socio-economic stability within the Tangkhul community of Kangpokpi district, Manipur. Despite the influence of modernisation, such as the introduction of Christianity and education, which have led to the decline of many traditional rituals, core practices like marriage ceremonies, seed-sowing festivals and meat distribution continue to play crucial roles in the community’s economic and social life. By analysing these rituals, this paper suggests that they serve as vital mechanisms of resource redistribution, social cohesion and cultural preservation. Specifically, marriage rituals facilitate wealth exchange and strengthen familial bonds, while seed-sowing festivals promote agricultural productivity and community cooperation. Additionally, the practice of distributing specific portions of hunted game to particular kin, such as the maternal uncle, married sister and eldest brother, illustrates a culturally embedded system of meat sharing governed by kinship norms and customary obligations. Through ethnographic research, this paper demonstrates how these persistent ritual practices remain central to the economic stability and communal solidarity of the Tangkhul, despite challenges posed by religious and socio-economic changes.