Makhel is a small village in the Senapati district of Manipur located near the Nagaland Manipur border, lying close to the town of Senapati. The village is of importance in the Naga folklore and historically the place has references in the migration of Naga tribes.

The Mao village of Makhel is the place from where the Naga tribes dispersed to various places in north east India. It is believed that the Nagas initially settled here after migrating from Indo-Myanmar area and as the families grew started to transmigrate to other location. Most of these migrations are marked by erection of stone monoliths or slabs marking the event, some of these monuments also have pledge for reuniting in future. There are a number of legends associated with the place according to one the Poumai means ‘the people of Pou’, where Pou is the progenitor or father. According another which is most popular; The self existing being was the Great Grand Mother known as Pai. She gave birth to three sons Mai – man, Khao – animal and Ramai – Spirit. The Great Grand Mother preferred man over the other two sons as she felt safe and happy on the days when man took care of her. While the other two sons either drew on here powers and made here weak and unhappy. Soon there was a conflict as to who will inherit her legacy once she passes away. It was decided to have a race to touch the egg, as Pai was biased towards man she gave him a sling to shoot the egg. Man won the race without moving and became her heir.

The presence of three stones identified as Mai, Khao and Ramai at Makhel lends credibility to the story of origin of life while the Great Grand Mother is represented by the great Banyan tree.

From the village of Makhel the northern tribes like the Angamis, the Chakhesangs, the Rengmas, the Lothas and the Semas migrated to Khezhakenoma and stayed there before dispersing to other places. While the rest of the tribes like the Maos, the Poumais, the Marams, the Thangals and the Zeliangrongs, who moved westward, eastward and southward. The clans or Naga tribes who associate Makhel as their place of origin are called the Tenyimias

As Makhel is considered as the origin of the Naga, it is also the preferred as the last resettling place for the Poumai Nagas before the last migration a pear tree was planted, it is said that if any branch of the tree falls it brings bad luck to the community and till today no one is allowed to cut or break any branch from this tree.

Makhel can be easily reached from Senapati which is 24 km or from Kohima which is approx 48 km. while the state capital Imphal is about 84 km. Other places of interest near Makhel are Makhan Khuman, Makhan Khullen, Willong. The famous Dzukou valley and the source of Bark river is also close to Makhel.