ThadouKuki

ThadouKuki refers to the Thadou people and their language, a sub-branch of the Kuki ethnic group in the northeast of India, with communities also in Myanmar and parts of Assam. The Thadou are one of several Kuki subgroups and are often described as part of the broader Thadou-Kuki heritage.

The Thadou language, also known as Thadou-Kuki, belongs to the Kuki-Chin branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is spoken by Thadou communities in Manipur, Assam, Mizoram, and western Myanmar, with multiple dialects and regional variations. In education and media, a Latin-based orthography is commonly used in many areas, though historical and local scripts have appeared in other contexts.

Culturally, the Thadou are traditionally organized around village and clan structures, with agriculture as the historical economic base. Today many Thadou people pursue diverse livelihoods across rural and urban settings. A significant portion of Thadou communities are Christian, reflecting missionary activity in the 19th and 20th centuries, while other Thadou maintain Hindu or indigenous beliefs. Cultural life includes traditional dances, music, and festivals, along with customary rites for marriage, birth, and death.

Historically, the Thadou have lived in Manipur and surrounding regions and participated in regional political events, including the Anglo-Kuki War of 1917–1919 against British colonial policies. In contemporary times, Thadou communities participate in the broader social and political life of Manipur and neighboring states, while maintaining linguistic and cultural associations within the Kuki-Chin sphere.