AlphonsoMarler5 at 16:17, 3 February 2025

2025-02-03T16:17:33Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Gaziphema
| native_name = Vafiimai
| native_name_lang =
| other_name = Laü
| nickname =
| settlement_type = village
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Manipur#India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Manipur, India
| coordinates = {{coord|25|30|02|N|94|23|16|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Manipur]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Senapati district|Senapati]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Tehsil]]
| subdivision_name3 =
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body = Village panchayat
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m =
| population_total = 5518
| population_as_of =
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[English language|English]] (Written), Poula (Spoken)
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 795104
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = +91385-
| registration_plate = MN
| blank_name_sec1 = [[Sex ratio]]
| blank_info_sec1 = 939 (2011)
| blank1_name_sec1 = Nearest city
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Senapati]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = Literacy
| blank2_info_sec1 = 30.43%
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1 = Outer Manipur
| blank4_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank4_info_sec1 = 48-Mao
| website = {{URL|manipur.gov.in}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Gaziphema''', also called '''Vafiimai''' or '''Laü''', is a [[Poumai Naga people|Poumai Naga]] village located north of [[Senapati (Tahamzam)|Senapati]] in [[Senapati district]] of the [[States of India|Indian state]] of [[Manipur]]. It is bounded on the East by [[Ukhrul district]] and [[Nagaland]] on the North and West and covers an area of 46.48 km<sup>2</sup>. According to the Census of India 2011, there are 806 households with a total population of 5518 persons, out of which 2846 are male while 2672 are female, making it one of the largest villages amongst the [[Poumai Naga people|Poumai Naga]] tribe.<ref>Census of India 2011, http://www.census2011.co.in/data/village/268498-laii-manipur.html</ref>

==History==
Legend has it that the ancestors of Vafiimai originally came from [[Mao Naga people|Mao]] by hunting a phenomenal seven-horned [[stag]]. Chasing the stag, they embark upon the present location of Laii, and as nightfall was nigh, they decided against returning. With no food at hand, they ate the buds of a leafy plant [[Koenigia polystachya|Himalayan knotweed]] locally called '''vavu'''. On finding that the land was habitable and good, the hunters returned home and came back with 16 delegates from each clan of the 16 Mao villages. Thus was the new settlement established.

==Etymology==
The term '''Vafiimai''' has its origin from the plant [[Koenigia polystachya|Himalayan knotweed]] which grows abundantly in the region. Literally, '''Va''' (Vavu) [Scientifically called Koenigia polystachya] is the name of ''the plant'', '''Fii''' meaning ''place'', and '''Mai''' means ''people''. Hence, ''people from the land of Vavu''. The name '''Gaziphema''' has similar etymology as '''Vafiimai''' and is what it is known in Nagaland. The name '''Laii''' which means ''God'' in [[Manipur|Manipuri]] was given by a [[Manipur|Meitei]] [[Ningthou]] after a failed attempt to raid the village.

== Culture and religion ==
Like any other [[Naga people|Naga]] village, the people of Gaziphema depend mainly on cultivation and livestock-rearing. Because of this labour-intensive cultivation, land is the most important form of property among them to date. However, with the changing times, many have adopted small businesses and other skilled professions. Several educated individuals and families migrated to various metropolitan cities due to government postings, education and corporate jobs leading to a huge diaspora populace.

During the period of headhunting, the menfolks spent the majority of their time in warfare with hostile villages and [[Head hunting|taking heads]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://wwwe.lib.cam.ac.uk/nagas/record/r87050.html|title=H.H. Godwin-Austen, Journal of a Tour in Assam, 26th November 1872 to 15th April 1873 |publisher=The Naga Database|accessdate=2023-06-13}}</ref> Since 1879, when the [[United Kingdom|British]] succeeded in annexing the Naga territory, the inter-village feuds have come to an end. With the introduction of [[Christianity]] in the region in the early twentieth century, many of them changed their faith to Christianity. Today, 99% of the population follows [[Christianity]]. These Christians are of two major denominations: [[Baptist]] and [[Roman Catholic]].

==Location==
Gaziphema village is located at 25.5004° N latitude and 94.3893° E longitude. It is situated at a height of 1791.5 m above sea level, and lies about 42 Kilometres from national highway 39 at Tadubi.
{{Geographic location
|Centre = Gaziphema
|North = [[Phek district]], [[Nagaland]]
|Northeast = [[Kharasom]], [[Ukhrul district]]
|East = [[Chingjaroi]], [[Ukhrul district]]
|Southeast = Chingmai Khunou <br> [[Senapati district]]
|South = Chingmai Khullen <br> [[Senapati district]]
|Southwest = Katafiimai [[Senapati district]]
|West = [[Phek district]], [[Nagaland]]
|Northwest = [[Phek district]], [[Nagaland]]
}}

==Literacy==
As per the Census of India 2011, Gaziphema village has a very low literacy rate. In 2011, literacy rate was 30.43 % compared to 76.94 % of Manipur. Male literacy stands at 35.67 % while female literacy rate was 24.76 %.

==World War II==
During the Second World War, Gaziphema was a strategic location to the Allied soldiers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burmastar.org.uk/stories/60-and-80-column-chindits-1944/|title=60 and 80 Column Chindits 1944|publisher=Burma Star Association|accessdate=2016-12-01|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221033910/http://www.burmastar.org.uk/stories/60-and-80-column-chindits-1944/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1944, when the invasion by the Japanese troops was imminent, the Assam Regiment was moved to [[Jessami]] and [[Kharasom]] via Gaziphema to delay the advance of the 31st Japanese division.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kaiserscross.com/304501/596322.html |title=The Soldier's Burden |publisher=Kaiser Cross |accessdate=2016-12-01}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Villages in Senapati district]]

Gaziphema - Revision history

AlphonsoMarler5 at 16:17, 3 February 2025