Manipuri Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Manipur is a hill state in north-east India, on the border with Myanmar. Its largest community, the Meitei, speak the Meitei language, also called Manipuri. Manipur is widely credited as the place where modern polo was developed before British officers took the game around the world.

The community in numbers

The 2021 Census does not publish a separate Birmingham figure for the Manipuri community, which is counted within the census's figures for Indian heritage and for other South Asian languages. By any measure it is one of the city's smaller communities, which makes the ties between its members all the closer.

Working for Birmingham

Manipuris in Birmingham include professionals and students working and studying in healthcare, engineering, research and technology. Like many small communities, they are known for supporting one another and for contributing quietly to the city's hospitals, universities and businesses.

Healthcare, education and the skilled trades are three of the pillars of the city's economy. The NHS is one of Birmingham's biggest employers, its universities teach tens of thousands of students, and there is steady demand for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, decorators and handymen in every neighbourhood, alongside business, transport, hospitality, retail and the city's growing digital and creative industries. People from every background keep these sectors running, and the Manipuri community shares in that effort.

Culture and community life

Manipuri classical dance, with its graceful movements and stories of Radha and Krishna, is one of India's recognised classical dance forms. The festival of Yaoshang, held in spring, is celebrated with sport and games, and dishes made with fermented fish and fresh herbs are a taste of home.

Birmingham's strength lies in its variety, and the Manipuri community is a welcome part of it. As the city continues to grow and change, that contribution will remain part of the story of a place that has always looked forward.