Traditional Knowledge System of the Muslim community in Manipur

Abstract

The Muslims of Manipur state is commonly known as Pangal or Meitei-Pangal. Prefixing of Meitei to the word Pangal exemplifies the strong relationship between the two communities. The paper provides information on the use of plants and plant parts, which carry ethnobotanical significance in respect of common socio-religious activities of this minority community encompassing from the birth till death. It deals with 17 plant species belonging to 15 genera and 11 families closely associated with 9 categories of the formalities of socio-religious functions, customs, etc. The present investigation aims at the validity of the Traditional Knowledge System practiced and also focused on the activism concerning conservation of plants through the practices of socio-religious functions of Pangal community.