The Meitei folktales, also sometimes referred to as the Manipuri folktales, are the large collections of folk stories developed from the Meitei culture since Ancient Kangleipak. Folktales are called "funga wari", literally meaning "stories of kitchen furnace or stove" in Meitei language. In early times, in the Meitei households, children must have gathered around the kitchen fire, listening to the stories narrated by the elders. Generally, Meitei folktales were developed from the creativity of the old folks, especially the grandparents, who narrated the children the diverse sagas of varying genres.
A scene from the story of Sandrembi and Chaisra, a Meitei folktale
The culture of Meitei civilization evolved over thousands of years, beginning in Ancient Kangleipak, continuing most notably into Medieval Kangleipak, while influencing the neighboring states and kingdoms, till present times.
Pakhangba Temple, Kangla, in the classical Meitei architecture, affiliated to the traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Armenian stamp illustrating Manipuri classical dance, the "national dance" of India, the highest spiritual expression of the worship of Hindu deity Krishna, as well as an intangible cultural heritage of Meitei civilization
The crest of Indian missile destroyer, INS Imphal, illustrating the Kangla Sanathong (Meitei for 'Kangla Golden Gate') and the Kanglasha dragon lion, two of the most remarkable cultural heritages of the Meitei civilization
The architecture of the Inner Entrance Gate, along with the statues of a pair of Kanglashas, the dragon lions, inside the Kangla, the old metropolis of Ancient Kangleipak
