"Ethnological Gallery: exhibits Manipur's multi ethnic identities, speaking impeccable tastes of artistic creations"
From Bit Irom 
IMPHAL, November 30:

The newly renovated "Ethnological Gallery" to the existing rich collection of the Manipur State Museum has carved out a niche for itself in preserving cultural heritage and multi ethnic identities of this multi-ethnic linguistic state in which several artifacts are put on display, speaking (of) Manipur's impeccable tastes in artistic creations.

Through these exhibits, attempts have been made to express Manipur's multi ethnic identities, its aesthetic appeal and the complex social order of the land and its people. The artifacts now on exhibition in the museum express the richness of Manipur's long history. The fascinating exhibits in the museum include tribal ornaments, headgears, agricultural implements, domestic implements, hunting kits, smoking pipes and lighters, earthen pottery, indigenous games of Manipur, gold and silver utensils, polo saddlery, traditional hookahs, Manipuri textiles, Meitei ornaments, time measuring equipment, Buddhist relics including gold mark, caskets, rider less horse, arms and armory, basketry, tribal costumes besides, the statues and dioramas depicting the hill and valley environments of Manipur.

The showcase depicting the worship of the valley living people of the state, the Meitei ancestral worship known as "Umang Lai" highlights the ancient way of worship. Besides, the time measuring implement "tanyei pung" and "tanyei chei" show the well-maintained knowledge system of a civilized nation state. The costumes are important exhibits to be studied for understanding Manipur's social structure.

The variety of arms and weaponry show the valor with which Manipuris fought for their freedom. The colorful designs of the tribal textile and basketry too are testimony of the gifted skills of the tribal people living in the hills of Manipur through the ages. These being the articles of use in their everyday life, they speak (of) Manipur's "impeccable tastes of artistic creations". 

The state having a population of around 22 lakhs has 29 different recognized tribes besides, the Meiteis - the valley-living people who predominantly inhabited the valley in the state and the Meitei Pangal - the Manipuri Muslims who came into this once princely state in 1606 from Bangladesh. 

With the inauguration of the newly renovated Ethnological Gallery to the existing rich collection of the Manipur State Museum, a visit to the museum is a rewarding experience, as looking at these precious exhibits creates a far deeper impact than many well researched books in grasping the fascinating contours of cultural and political history of Manipur. 

Inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on September 23, 1969, the Manipur State Museum located at the heart of Imphal city, the capital of the Indian state of Manipur, has expanded into a full fledged multipurpose museum with many different sections, including the ethnological gallery. In order to highlight the rich ethnological heritage of the many ethnic groups living in the hills and the valley, the gallery has now been renovated in a systematic manner. Manipur Governor Ved Marwah formally reopened the renovated Ethnological Gallery on Jan. 20, 2001.

The addition of the ethnological heritage has been made with financial assistance from the Union ministry of Youth Affairs and sports through the efforts of the Indian Museum, which functions as a nodal agency for the scheme of development program of the northeastern region. The main aim of setting up this (Ethnological) gallery and renovating it in a more systematic manner is not only to give a clearer picture of the many varied aspects of Manipuri life in terms of cultural heritage and social order - 2000 years of Manipur in one visit - but also to preserve the rich material cultural of the state. 

The exhibits in the museum expose a visitor to the ethnological and archeological dimensions of human civilization, which helps in understanding the past. It is important to delve into the past and the museums do give the general people and visitors a glimpse into the customs and the practices prevalent amongst different communities and tribes, which have inhabited this beautiful and interesting land. 

An important lesson learnt by the students of history is that there is no such thing as pure ethnic groups. They are all intermixed. This basic reality is faced when the people and visitors look at the many exhibits. The ethnological and archeological evidence clearly indicates the existence of close interdependence between various tribal communities in Manipur. 

Current tensions and conflicts between various ethnic groups are based on false myths created by pseudo historians. By picking up historical facts selectively these pseudo academics have created myths to create discord and conflict in pursuance of their own personal agenda. The intellectuals of Manipur owe it to the people of the state to debunk these false concepts. 

"A visit to the museum should be a part of the academic curriculum in schools and colleges. Unfortunately, history which is one of the most fascinating subjects is not given due importance and not taught properly in most academic institutions in the country", the governor Ved Marwah, who was the chief guest of the inaugural function said. Renovation of the ethnological gallery in the museum is an important landmark in the short history of Manipur state Museum.

(Bit Irom is an Imphal-based Correspondent)

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