Chieftainship in a Changing World: Pros and Cons of Kuki Chieftainship in Northeast India

Onkholun Haokip

Chieftainship in a Changing World: Pros and Cons of Kuki Chieftainship in Northeast India

Author(s)	Dr. Onkholun Haokip
Country	India
Abstract	The institution of chieftainship has historically functioned as the backbone of traditional governance among the Kuki communities of Northeast India. Rooted in customary law, kinship networks, and territorial authority, it has played a crucial role in maintaining social order, regulating land relations, administering customary justice, and preserving cultural identity (Gangte, 1993; Lal Dena, 1991; Changsan & Borgohain, 2018). Existing scholarship has extensively documented its historical significance and functional relevance; however, limited attention has been paid to its contemporary performance within democratic and constitutional frameworks (Kipgen, 2012; Haokip, 2017; Chongloi, 2022). The persistence of both praise and critique indicates a research gap concerning its dual role as a source of stability and a potential site of stagnation. This study aims to critically examine the merits and demerits of Kuki chieftainship in the context of changing democratic governance. The study adopts a qualitative–analytical research design, drawing on secondary literature, customary norms, legal documents, and empirical observations from selected Kuki-inhabited regions of Manipur. Data are analyzed through thematic and comparative interpretation to assess governance outcomes. The findings reveal that chieftainship continues to provide localized governance, rapid dispute resolution, protection of customary land rights, and social cohesion, particularly in remote hill areas with weak state presence. At the same time, hereditary leadership, centralized authority, limited accountability, and exclusionary practices persist, creating governance inefficiencies and institutional tensions. The study concludes that while Kuki chieftainship offers cultural continuity and administrative stability, its uncritical continuation risks institutional stagnation. It recommends a reformed hybrid governance framework integrating customary authority with democratic principles, participatory mechanisms, and legal accountability to enhance inclusive and adaptive governance.
Keywords	Kuki chieftainship; traditional governance; democracy; land rights; indigenous institutions
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On	2026-02-06

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Chieftainship in a Changing World: Pros and Cons of Kuki Chieftainship in Northeast India

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