“The Changing Nature of Village Administration Under Hereditary Chieftainship of Vaiphei Tribe in Manipur”

The Vaiphei village has historically functioned as the basic unit of social, political, economic, and customary life. At the center of this village structure stands the Chief, also known as Hausa, Hausapu, or Khawpa, whose authority is traditionally hereditary and closely connected with land, lineage, and customary Law. This article examines the Vaiphei village power structure with special reference to chieftainship, the council of elders, customary Law, village functionaries, landholding, Christianity, the statutory Village Authority, and contemporary changes in land rights and succession. Patta may give villagers more confidence to build permanent houses and spend on improving their land. At the same time, once land is held individually, the Chief may have less control over its transfer. This can create problems if the land is later sold outside the village. The concern is how to provide villagers with greater security without weakening the village's customary hold over its land. The article also argues that land remains central to the Chief's power. Customary chief-owned land still maintains village identity and continuity, but can also be a source of insecurity for ordinary villagers if the Chief abuses his authority. Patta grants villagers a firmer claim to the land they occupy, often making them more willing to build permanent houses and invest in the village. Yet it also reduces the Chief's control over village land and may make transfer to outsiders easier. The question, therefore, is how to retain the customary system without leaving ordinary villagers insecure.

Vaiphei; Hausapu; Chieftainship; Customary Law

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