Wednesday, 3 May 2017

Meitei Yek Salai System and Genetic Science

The Meitei Yek Salai System & Genetic Science

The Meitei Yek Salai System

How an ancient seven-clan framework maps onto modern Y-chromosome inheritance—and why it still shapes marriage rules today.

Help Expand Our Database

We’re compiling the most comprehensive public list of Meitei Yumnaks and their parent Salai. If your surname isn’t in our tool yet, please consider contributing.

Take the 2-minute survey →

1 · Origins of the Seven Salai

The earliest royal chronicles (Cheitharol Kumbaba) trace the consolidation of disparate valley chiefdoms under King Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (33 CE). Over centuries of warfare, alliance, and marriage, smaller polities merged into the familiar septet [1][2]:

  1. Mangang (Ningthouja)
  2. Angom
  3. Luwang
  4. Khuman
  5. Khaba-Nganba
  6. Moirang
  7. Chenglei (Sarang Leishangthem)

Each Salai contains hundreds of yumnak (surnames) that can—all things equal—trace their male line back to a single legendary ancestor [3][4].

2 · The Seven Swords of the Salai

Each of the seven clans is represented by a unique sword, or thang, symbolizing its history and character. Click on a sword to learn about its Salai.

Select a sword to explore its Salai.

3 · The Genetic Rationale: Y Chromosome

The Salai system's strict marriage rules have a direct parallel in modern genetics, specifically in the inheritance of the Y-chromosome. This chromosome, which determines male sex, is passed directly from father to son with very little change, creating a clear patrilineal signature for each clan.

3.1 Patrilineal DNA

Because the Y-chromosome is passed down almost exclusively from father to son, all males within a single Salai will share a nearly identical Y-chromosome haplotype, tracing back to a common ancestor. The exogamy rules, which forbid marrying within the same Salai, ensure genetic diversity by preventing these identical Y-chromosomes from being paired with closely related mitochondrial DNA from the mother's side.

4 · Brother- & Sister-Yek: The Rules of Intermarriage

The system becomes more complex when considering "brother" clans (shairuk tinnaba) or when a clan fissions into new lines. Marriage between these related lines is forbidden for a set number of generations. The diagrams below illustrate how "blood is changed" over generations of daughters marrying into other clans, eventually making a new union permissible.

Basic Meitei marriage lineage diagram
Figure 2: A simplified marriage lineage diagram. Click to enlarge.
Complex Meitei marriage lineage diagram
Figure 3: A complex multi-lineage diagram. Click to enlarge.

5 · Key Takeaways

  • The seven-Salai matrix, symbolized by distinct clan swords, remains a living social regulator guiding marriage eligibility.
  • Its patrilineal logic directly mirrors the biology of Y-chromosome inheritance, making it one of humankind’s earliest and most enduring population-genetic frameworks.
  • Interactive tools and modern DNA studies can validate—or refine—clan origin myths and help catalogue endangered lineages for future generations.

6 · References & Further Reading

  1. Singh, O.R. (2019). “Traditional Rules and Regulations with the Old Age Custom of the Meitei Marriage.” Review of Research, 8(5).
  2. Kabui, G. (1991). History of Manipur: Pre-Colonial Period. New Delhi.
  3. Hodson, T.C. (1908 / 1989 repr.). The Meitheis. Delhi.
  4. Nature Communications (2024). “Patrilineal segmentary systems provide a peaceful explanation for the post-Neolithic Y-chromosome bottleneck.”
  5. Smith, W.R. (1903). Marriage & Kinship in Early Arabia.
  6. L. Anupama Singh (2018). “The Social Structure of the Meiteis of Manipur.” Golden Research Thoughts.
  7. Wikipedia contributors. “Y Chromosome.” Last modified 2025-06-15.
  8. Karmin et al. (2015). “Genomic Y bottleneck.” Science.

© 2025 Bani A.T. • Enhanced digital edition with interactive tools.

Content revised for clarity, interactivity & references.

Enlarged view

Wednesday, 18 January 2017

YEK SALAI (Common Ancestor finder)

An Interactive Guide to Meitei/Meetei Yek Salai and Surnames

A Guide to Meitei Yek Salai

An Interactive Exploration of Meitei/Meetei Clans and Surnames

Understanding the Yek Salai System

The Yek Salai system is the ancient clan structure of the Meitei people, forming a core part of their identity. It's believed to have been consolidated during the reign of Pakhangba, with all Meitei people traditionally considered descendants of one of seven primary clans, or Salais.

This lineage, passed down through the male line, is crucial in Meitei society. It governs social relationships and, most notably, marriage customs. A complex system of prohibitions prevents marriage between individuals from closely related surnames (Sageis) to maintain clan integrity. The most significant of these is Yek Tinnaba, which forbids marriage within the same clan, believed to prevent misfortune and ensure the health of future generations.

This interactive guide is an adaptation of the research and data compiled by multiple research papers and sources. It allows you to easily search for a surname (Sagei) and find its corresponding primary clan (Yek Salai). You can explore more on my other blog my other blog.

Interactive Surname & Salai Finder

Click a Salai to filter the list, or use the search bar to find any surname.

Surname (Sagei) Primary Clan (Yek Salai)

Help Us Improve This Resource!

Our goal is to make this guide as accurate and complete as possible. If you notice any missing surnames or potential corrections, please take a moment to contribute to our research.

Take the Survey

Help us grow! If your surname is missing or needs correction, please fill out our survey.

The Lions of Manipur

The Lions of Manipur: A Tribute to Bir Tikendrajit & Thangal General ...