The Emergence of a Transgender Community in Manipur: The Case of the Nupi Maanbis

Abstract

Transgender subjects in Manipuri society have experienced cultural legitimacy as well as prejudice and therefore have had an ambiguous status from early to modern times. From their early prototypes, pheitas, to their modern counterparts, nupi sabis, transgender subjects have played vital roles in the administrative, cultural and artistic life of Manipuri society. Legitimacy as well as stigma marked their participation in social and economic life. This article traces the emergence of the nupi maanbi community, a community of man-to-woman transgender subjects and argues that the current nupi maanbi identity, embedded in this distinct community, is firmly located in the economic niche that the subjects inhabit as professionals in the increasingly popular fashion and beauty parlours in contemporary Manipur.

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“…They are often associated with transgender or third-gender individuals and have their own cultural practices and traditions. Nupi Manbi, which literally means ‘looks like a girl’ in Meitei, is an indigenous trans women community in Manipur 6…”

“…Nupi Manbi, which literally means ‘looks like a girl’ in Meitei, is an indigenous trans women community in Manipur. 6 …”

“…Nupi Manbi, which literally means 'looks like a girl' in Meitei, is an indigenous trans women community in Manipur. 6 While non-binary identities have existed throughout the history of India, their recognition and acceptance have historically been limited and denied in many societies, the issue having its roots in the colonial history of the country and its social and cultural norms.…”