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Archive:Sanamahism

2021-04-29T10:55:15Z

2401:4900:45DE:511A:C57F:6019:CC61:E5A3:

{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sanamahism <span style="white-space:nowrap">({{Script|Mtei|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ}})</span>
| flag =
| flag_caption =
| image = The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg
| image_caption = The Symbol of Sanamahism (Source:[[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]])
| population = approx. 235,000<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm 2001 Census]</ref>
| founder =
| regions = [[Manipur]], [[India]]
| tablehdr =
| region1 =
| pop1 =
| ref1 =
| region2 =
| pop2 =
| ref2 =
| region3 =
| pop3 =
| ref3 =
| religions =
| scriptures = [[Puya (Meitei texts)|Puya]]s written on religious beliefs in [[Meitei script|Meitei Mayek]]
| languages = [[Meitei language]]
| related-c =
| notes =
}}
{{Contains Meitei text}}

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}), also known as '''Meitei religion''', '''Manipuri religion''' or '''Kanglei religion''', is an [[animism|animistic]], [[ancestor-worship]]ping, [[shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people]] in [[Manipur]] state of [[India]].<ref name=bertil113>{{cite book|author=Bertil Lintner|title=Great Game East: India, China, and the Struggle for Asia's Most Volatile Frontier|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0fLOBwAAQBAJ|year=2015|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-19567-5|page=113}}</ref>{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} The term is derived from ''Sanamahi'' (''lit.'' "Spreading like liquid gold everywhere"), the most important Meitei deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of [[Kuru (mythology)|Sidaba Mapu]] – along with other aspects of the Sanamahism beliefs, practices and the history, are unclear and disputed. Broadly, Sanamahism worship elements of nature, such as fire, water and mountains, with a notable temple and worship rituals at the Loi village of [[Andro, Imphal East|Andro]], east of [[Imphal]], according to Bertil Lintner.<ref name=bertil113>> Sanamahism is practised alongside Hinduism in most Meitei homes in Imphal, the capital of Kangleipak. However, many Meiteis outside Imphal did not convert, and practice only Sanamahism. In every Meitei home, including those who are also Hindus, there are two sacred spaces where Sanamahi deities are worshipped, viz., a corner in the north-west called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' dedicated to [[ Lainingthou and Leimarel Sidabi]] and next to the fireplace or hearth (Phung-ga) in the kitchen for Goddess Emoinu, the goddess of well being and prosperity. This is seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} According to [[Kanglei mythology]] life began from water in the form of "Namu Mitam Nga" commonly known as the "Ngamu" fish.<ref>{{harvp|Asha Gupta, Biodiversity conservation -- India, Northeastern|2007|page=232}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The tradition of Ngamu Usin of the Meetei Race of Kangleipak|url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Discovery_of_Kangleipak.The_tradition_of_Ngamu_Usin_of_the_Meetei_Race_of_Kangleipak|access-date=2020-12-06|quote=The 'Namu Mitam Nga' is the first living being created in form and shape of ... The Sanamahi Lainingthou created several living beings in the aim of ... sorrows etc. of the groom for his life upon the head of the Ngamu fish|website=www.e-pao.net}}</ref>

==Origin==
The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]], the Court Chronicles of the kings of Kangleipak (old name of Manipur), starting from the king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, who ruled for more than a century, from 33–154 CE.
[[File:Sanamahi temple inside Kangla Fort, Imphal East, Manipur.jpg|thumb|left|A recently built Sanamahi temple, Kangla Fort, Imphal East, Manipur]]

==Description ==
Sanamahism is a folk religion. It competes with and co-exists with [[Vaishnavism]] – a tradition of [[Hinduism]] – among the [[Meitei people]]. Opponents and rebellious groups have sought to revive Sanamahism and related practices to emphasize the [[Manipur]]i heritage, along with seeking a ban on Bengali script and replacing it with the old [[Meitei script]] which was forcefully banned during the reign of King Garibniwaz.<ref>{{cite book|author=Bertil Lintner|title=Great Game East: India, China, and the Struggle for Asia's Most Volatile Frontier|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0fLOBwAAQBAJ|year=2015|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-19567-5|pages=142–143}}</ref>{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}}

== Etymology ==
Sanamahism is also known as '''Sanamahi Laining''', for it originated from the ancient kingdom of [[Manipur (princely state)#Kangleipak State|Kangleipak]].{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}

== Revival ==
Sanamahism is revived after a long period of 4 centuries slumber, currently occupying 8% of Manipur's religion population according to 2011 census.

== Practices ==
Many Sanamahi practices are focused on food offerings to deities, combined with hymns, as well as oracular ritual whereby priestesses become possessed by a god or goddess. An offering formula to call up the gods, uttered by a priestess over a body of water during the [[Lai Haraoba]] festival, goes:

{{block quote|
<poem>
Incarnate Lord, Lairen (Dragon) Deity Pakhangba, O golden one,
Goddess of the waters, Ruler of the rivers:
Golden Goddess (Laisana) fair and beautiful one:
For you, Lord and Lady, in order to call up your souls,
We have poured the rice on the finest of banana leaves,
And on it have placed the fertile egg and the langthrei buds.
We do not offer you the ordinary khayom (offering packet), we offer you your own khayoms,
And we have tied them with the seven bamboo strips.
Which (represent) the seven days of the week.
We offer you the khayoms as they are tied thus.
Lord and Lady, we beseech you,
Ascend from within the khayoms, riding along the hiris.<ref>{{cite book|author=Saroj Parratt|title=The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=COCBAAAAMAAJ|year=1997|publisher=Vikas|isbn=8125904166|page=77}}</ref></poem>}}

Some esoteric practices are also a part of Sanamahism, such as the use of mantras for various purposes. The mystical text ''Sanamahi Naiyom'' provides several formulas, such as a mantra that is believed to stop rain: HUNG KRUNG HUNG-KRUNG TA (8x) AH (2x) CHAT HUK (2x) HING HING HUK SU SA HING HING LIK SAL LIT HING MA PAN.<ref>{{cite book|author=Soibam Birajit|title=Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PgHgCwAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=ARECOM|page=103}}</ref>

==Religious festivals==
{{Main|Fairs and Festivals in Manipur}}
* [[Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingba]]
* [[Lai Haraoba]]
* [[Mera Hou Chongba]]
* [[Mera Chaorel Houba]]
* [[Kwaak Taanba]]
* [[Yaoshang]]
* [[Panthoibi Iratpa]]
* [[Imoinu Iratpa]]
* [[Sajibu Cheiraoba]]
* [[Heikru Hidongba]]

== Deities ==
{{Main|Lists of deities in Sanamahism|Kanglei mythology|Umang Lai}}

===Main deities ===
There are five main deities in Sanamahism:
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi|Asheeba]]: he is the Protector and the Guardian God of the mankind.
* [[Kuru (mythology)|Atingaa Koilou Sitapa]]: he is the [[Creator deity|Creator]] of the [[Universe]].
* [[Pakhangba|Apanba]]: he is the ruler of the universe and the destroyer of evils.
* [[Leimarel Sidabi]]: she is the earth Goddess.
* [[Imoinu Ahongbi]]: Though she is an incarnation of Goddess Leimarel, she herself is a goddess of wealth and prosperity.

===Related deities ===
Besides the five main deities, there are innumerable Gods and goddesses, playing significant roles in the ancient pantheon, religion as well as [[Meitei mythology|mythology]]. Citable examples include [[Panthoibi]], [[Lainingthou Nongpok Ningthou]], [[Lainingthou Koubru]], [[Ibudhou Marjing]], [[Thongalel]], [[Wangbren]], [[Eputhou Thangjing]], [[Kounu]], [[Nongshaba]], [[Nongthang Leima]], [[Irai Leima]] and so on.

===Umang Lai ===
{{See|Umang Lai}}
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] called [[Umang Lai]] including [[Konthoujam Lairembi gi Khubam]], Ima Tamphaton Petangaa and [[Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba]] groves.

===Ancestral deities ===
{{Main|Apokpa}}
Besides, there are deities for each clans (Yek Salai) as well as families ([[Yumnak]]) called [[Apokpa]].

===Divine figures===
Though [[Sandrembi Chaisra|Sanarembi]] is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in [[Lai Haraoba]] festival.

==See also==
* [[Lai Haraoba]]
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
* [[Lists of creatures in Meitei folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[Meitei mythology]]
* [[Puya (Meitei texts)]]
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
* [[Umang Lai]]
* [[Yempak]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
* {{citation|title= Women and Shamanism in Manipur and Korea: A Comparative Study| author= Otojit Kshetrimayum| journal= Indian Anthropologist| volume= 39| number= 1/2|year = 2009| pages= 17–34|jstor= 41920088}}
* {{citation | last = Kshetrimayum | first = Otojit | year = 2014 | title = Ritual, Politics and Power in North East India: Contextualising the Lai Haraoba of Manipur | publisher = Ruby Press & Co. | isbn = 978-93-82395-50-8 }}
* {{citation | last = Hodson | first = T.C. | year = 2015 | title = The Meitheis | publisher = Ruby Press & Co. | isbn = 978-93-82395-56-0}}
* {{citation| title= The Religion of Manipur: Beliefs, Rituals and Historical Development| author= Saroj Nalini Parratt | year= 1974| publisher=Australian National University Press}}
* {{citation| title= The Second 'Women's War' and the Emergence of Democratic Government in Manipur| author1= Saroj N. Arambam Parratt |author2= John Parratt| journal = Modern Asian Studies| volume= 35| number = 4| year= 2001| pages= 905–919| doi= 10.1017/S0026749X0100405X | jstor=313195}}
*{{citation| title= Writing the Body: Cosmology, Orthography, and Fragments of Modernity in Northeastern India| author = Sohini Ray| journal= Anthropological Quarterly| volume= 82| number=1| year=2009| pages= 129–154| doi = 10.1353/anq.0.0047| jstor= 25488260| s2cid = 140755509}}
* {{citation | last = Singh | first = Dr. Saikhom Gopal | year = 2015 | title = The Meeteis of Manipur: A Study in Human Geography | publisher = Ruby Press & Co. | isbn = 978-93-82395-21-8}}
* {{citation | last = Singh | first = Dr. Saikhom Gopal | year = 2015 | title = Population Geography of Manipur | publisher = Ruby Press & Co. | isbn = 978-93-82395-25-6}}
{{refend}}

{{Sanamahi1|state=expanded}}
{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Sanamahism| ]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
[[Category:Religion in South Asia]]
[[Category:Gods and goddesses of Kanglei mythology]]
[[Category:Asian ethnic religion]]
[[Category:Animism]]
[[Category:Shamanism]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2018-09-07T10:20:23Z

2401:4900:12F1:9D7A:763C:5249:70B9:F8C4:

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{{Expert needed|India|reason=This particularly needs attention from someone familiar with Indian religion and is able to improve it|date=July 2016}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2008}}
{{Cleanup rewrite|date=November 2008}}
{{MOS|date=August 2015}}
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{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sanamahism ( ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ)
| flag =
| flag_caption =
| image = Ema Khunthok-haanbi.jpg
| image_caption = '''Ema Khunthok-haanbi''', Guardian of Thangmeiband Area (Manipur, India)
| population = approx.235,000<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm 2001 Census]</ref>
| founder =

| regions = [[Manipur]], [[India]]
| tablehdr =

| region1 =
| pop1 =
| ref1 =
| region2 =
| pop2 =
| ref2 =
| region3 =
| pop3 =
| ref3 =

| religions =
| scriptures = [[Meitei language|Puya / written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}

'''Sanamahism''' or '''Sanamahi Laining''' refers to the traditional Meitei beliefs and religion found in the country of [[Manipur]] near [[Myanmar]]. The term is derived from ''Sanamahi'', one of the important Meitei deities. Sanamahi derives his power from the combination of all the stars in the Milky Way. Lord Sun worships him for more power and he delivers all with ease. According to Bertil Lintner, Sanamahism is an "[[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, shaman-led tradition".<ref>{{cite book|author=Bertil Lintner|title=Great Game East: India, China, and the Struggle for Asia's Most Volatile Frontier|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0fLOBwAAQBAJ|year=2015|publisher=Yale University Press|isbn=978-0-300-19567-5|page=113}}</ref>

Sanamahism is practiced by the [[Meitei people|Meitei]], [[Zeliangrong]] and other communities who inhabit [[Manipur]], [[Assam]], [[Tripura]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Bangladesh]], with small migrant populations in the [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], and [[Canada]].

==Revival==
According to 2011 census, about eight percent of Manipur belong to religions stated as 'other'.

Religion in Manipur is thought to have passed through three stages.<ref>P. 199 ''Social Movements in North-East India'' By Mahendra Narain Karna</ref>

==Form of worship==
In assimilate features such as the worship of forces of nature like fire, water, mountain, ancestor worship ([[Apokpa]]), Lamlai (Outdoor Dwelling Gods and Goddesses), Yumlai (House dwelling Gods and Goddesses), Ningthoulai (King God) and Umanglai (Forest Dwelling God). Religion of antiquity – in its pure native form, it is as all as the history of Meitei people from the time immemorial.

===Deities===
There is reference to the worship of Sanamahi by Ningthou (King) Kangba in the Hayi age. Manipur is a polytheistic land with Atiya Sidaba as the supreme god. Atiya Sidaba, Apaanba and Asheeba are the three manifestations or incarnations of God as the creator, the preserver and the annihilator of this universe respectively.

Panthoibi is the Mother of the Universe and Nongpok Ningthou is her mate.<ref>P. 4290 ''Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature'' By various</ref> Besides those, three hundred and sixty-four deities with their consorts are the most important deities worshipped by the Meiteis.

The Plain Kabui are observed in worship of Sanamahi and Ima Leimarel.<ref>''People of India'' By Kumar Suresh Singh, S. B. Roy, Asok K. Ghosh</ref>

Sanamahi (also known as Asheeba) has a creator brother (like him) named Paakhangba (Konjin Tukthapa).<ref>P. 82 ''A History of Manipuri Literature'' By Ch Manihar Singh</ref>

Some of the important gods and goddesses worshiped by the Meiteis are:{{cn|date=August 2016}}
* Shidaba Mapu (Immortal Owner)
* Lainingthou Sanamahi (Supreme God of the Household Gods and Goddesses)
* Ebudhou Paakhangba (Younger Brother of Lainingthou Sanamahi and the Ruler of the outside world)
* Ima Leimarel Sidabi
* Apokpa (Prime Ancestor God and Goddess, different according to different surnames)
* Ebendhou Emoinu (Goddess of prosperity, wealth and kitchen)
* Ema Panthoibi (goddess of valor and battle)
* Yumjao Lairembi (Household Goddess)
* Ema Phouoibi (Goddess of Bounty)
* Ebudhou Marjing (God of sports and also the protector of North-East Direction)
* Ebudhou Thangjing (God of power and also the protector of South-West Direction)
* Ebudhou Wangbrel (God of rain, death and also the protector of South-East Direction)(Kumar 2004, 92)
* Ebudhou Koubru (God of strength and also the protector of North-West Direction)

They also worshipped the Umanglais (forest dwelling gods and goddesses). Umanglais are the protectors, preservers of their corresponding areas/localities which includes houses, fields, welfare of the people, etc. In short, the Umanglais are the guardians of the outer world of the people and also these gods and goddesses are associated with each and every doings of the people in day-to-day life. Hence, They are considerrd to be very powerful.

Some of the Umanglais are:{{cn|date=August 2016}}
* Arong Ningthou
* Wangjing Ningthou
* Ema Eereima Oinam Lekai
* Lainingthou Nongshaaba
* Lainingthou Puthiba
* Lainingthou Awaangba
* Lainingthou Marjing
* Lainingthou Khoiriphaaba
* Ema Khunthok-haanbi
* Ema Haoreima Sampubi
* Ema Eereima
* Ekop Ningthou
* Thoubal Ningthou
* Ema Kondong Lairembi
* Nongpok Ningthou
* Langol Ningthou
* Ema Langol Lairembi
* Ebudhou Naothingkhong Paakhangba
* Ebudhou Khamlaangba
* Ebudhou Oknarel
* Ebudhou Thangnarel
* Ebudhou Yangoiningthou

The title ''"Lainingthou"'' refers to the incarnation from Lainingthou Sanamahi and the title ''"Ebudhou"'' refers to the incarnation from Ebudhou Paakhangba.

===Offerings===
Meiteis offer praying to the household gods and goddesses twice a day, once at dawn and once at dusk. They offer incense sticks/burner and candles/''meiraa'' along with flowers and water.

Devout Meiteis offer food at sacred spots daily to the goddess of kitchen and prosperity, Ebendhou Emoinu.<ref>P. 62 ''Feminism in a traditional society'' by Manjusri Chaki-Sircar</ref>

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{citation | last = Kshetrimayum | first = Otojit | year = 2014 | title = Ritual, Politics and Power in North East India: Contextualising the Lai Haraoba of Manipur | publisher = Ruby Press & Co. | isbn = 978-93-82395-50-8 }}
* {{citation | last = Hodson | first = T.C. | year = 2015 | title = The Meitheis | publisher = Ruby Press & Co. | isbn = 978-93-82395-56-0}}
* {{citation | last = Singh | first = Dr. Saikhom Gopal | year = 2015 | title = The Meeteis of Manipur: A Study in Human Geography | publisher = Ruby Press & Co. | isbn = 978-93-82395-21-8}}
* {{citation | last = Singh | first = Dr. Saikhom Gopal | year = 2015 | title = Population Geography of Manipur | publisher = Ruby Press & Co. | isbn = 978-93-82395-25-6}}

{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]