Although agriculture is their traditional and prime earning source, Manipuris are involved in different earning activities. Over the course of time, many are changing their occupation due to different circumstances e.g. scarcity of land for agriculture, less demanding traditional work, less benefit, lack of available work in rural areas, lack of capital etc. Those who are receiving higher education have started to involve themselves in different mainstream earning sources. They are involving both in government and non government organizations. Manipuris have gained positions as Government high Officials. The researchers found a number of primary and high school teachers who are respected and have a good reputation.
Although both males and females are involved in earning sources, most of their earning activities do not produce high incomes. Therefore they have to involve themselves in different activities simultaneously. Among our 80 participants we found 78 individuals who were involved in earning activities. Two of our participants who were not involved in any direct earning activity were very aged and retired from service. But they contributed to their families by gardening vegetables for family use. The earning sources were not consistent and we found different earning sources according to availability or work and the capacities of the earners. These activities can be ranked on the basis of the number of villagers involved including participants by the following table:
Listing 1.1: Earning activities of the Manipuris
- Agriculture
- Handloom weaving
- Government Service
- Non-government Service
- Teaching
- Carpentry
- Automobile mechanics
- Goldsmith
- Business
- Ayurvedic treatment
- Livestock rearing
- Cultural activist
- Priest
- Tailoring
- Religious work
To be contd...
