Thangals are one of the indigenous Naga tribes restricted to the Senapati district of the state of Manipur in the North-east India. They speak the Thangal language which is resembles Maram and Rongmei.They are Mongoloid in appearance. They are close-knit and live in hill villages. Traditionally Thangals are farmers cultivating a range of crops such as Paddy, pulses and vegetables such as Brinjal, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Chillies, Cucumber and Mustard leaf fruits such as Mango, Papaya, Plantain, Pomegranate, and fruits locally known as Tii. Some villages practice Jhum or the slash and burn agriculture. Animal husbandry and poultry farming are also the occupations which make them self sufficient. Maamalang The Maamalang festival is celebrated post monsoon after transplantation of paddy. Thangal Day August 13th is celebrated as Thangal Day. This is to commemorate the martyrdom of Lungthoubu Thangal better known as Thangal Menjor or popularly as Thangal general in the year 1891. Contemporary Thangals Presently there are 13 Thangal Villages with an overall population of about 3000. Contemporary Thangals are employed in the government and private sectors. Literacy rate is nearly 50 percent. They practice and profess Protestant Christianity. Important Thangals
