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Archive:Sanamahism

2021-04-01T19:16:34Z

2409:4066:30D:4B4E:5581:92D:E8C4:EB42: /* Origin */

{{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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to [[Leimarel Sidabi]] and Phungga. This is also 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]] which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented [[rice beer]]) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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}}

{{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

2020-07-24T11:18:04Z

2409:4066:296:6399:29ED:739C:996A:9EBC: /* Main deities */

{{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}}
{{See|Manipuri mythology|Umang Lai|Lai Haraoba}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sanamahism ({{Script|Mtei|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ}})
| 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|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages = [[Meitei language]]
| related-c =
| notes = This 2,000 years old religion is one of the oldest religions in the world.
}}

'''Sanamahism''' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}), also known as '''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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to [[Leimarel Sidabi]] and Phungga. This is also seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented [[rice beer]]) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 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 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.ca/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.ca/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)|Atingkok]]: 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 [[Manipuri 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==
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
* [[Lists of creatures in Meitei folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[Puya (Meitei texts)]]
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
* [[Umang Lai]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905–919| 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| pp= 129–154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{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]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2020-07-24T11:13:23Z

2409:4066:296:6399:29ED:739C:996A:9EBC: For better formatting

{{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}}
{{See|Manipuri mythology|Umang Lai|Lai Haraoba}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Contains special characters|Indic}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sanamahism ({{Script|Mtei|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ}})
| 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|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages = [[Meitei language]]
| related-c =
| notes = This 2,000 years old religion is one of the oldest religions in the world.
}}

'''Sanamahism''' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}), also known as '''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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to [[Leimarel Sidabi]] and Phungga. This is also seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented [[rice beer]]) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 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 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.ca/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.ca/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}}

===Prime deities ===
There are five prime deities in Sanamahism:
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi|Asheeba]]: he is the Protector and the Guardian God of the mankind.
* [[Kuru (mythology)|Atingkok]]: 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.

Besides the five main deities, there are innumerable Gods and goddesses,playing significant roles in the ancient pantheon, religion as well as [[Manipuri mythology|mythology]].

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

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905–919| 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| pp= 129–154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{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]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2020-03-10T08:31:37Z

2409:4066:0:6D5F:7375:4C01:D9A0:C21B:

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{Redirect|Manipuri religion|Kanglei religion}}
{{See|Manipuri mythology|Umang Lai|Lai Haraoba}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Contains Indic text}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sanamahism (ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ)
| 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|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages = [[Meitei language]]
| related-c =
| notes = This 2,000 years old religion is one of the oldest religions in the world.
}}

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}), also known as '''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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to [[Leimarel Sidabi]] and Phungga. This is also seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.ca/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.ca/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}}
===Prime deities ===
There are five prime deities in Sanamahism:
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]: he is the King of the gods.
* [[Kuru (mythology)|Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]: he is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* [[Pakhangba]]: he is the supreme deity.
[[File:Pakhangba.jpg|thumb|Pakhangba,the serpent deity]]
[[File:Flag of Manipur.svg|thumb|Pakhangba in the flag of Manipur]]
* [[Leimarel Sidabi]]: she is the supreme Goddess.
* Imoinu Ahongbi, also known as [[Emoinu]]: though she is an incarnation of Goddess Leimarel, she herself is a goddess of wealth and prosperity.

===Others===
{{main|List of creatures in Meitei folklore}}
Besides, there are thousands of deities worshipped, including the following:
* [[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing and his stead Shamadon Ayangba.
* [[Sky God]] [[Atingkok Maru Sidaba|Soraren]]
* [[Sun God]] Korou Hanba
* [[Lion]] God [[Nongshaba]]

[[File:Uttra sanglen.jpg|thumb|Kanglasha, also known as Nongshaba, at Kangla]]
* Goddess of Power, [[Panthoibi]]

===Umang Lai ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] called [[Umang Lai]] including Ima Tamphaton Petangaa and [[Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba]].

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

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{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]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2020-03-10T08:30:35Z

2409:4066:0:6D5F:7375:4C01:D9A0:C21B:

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{See|Manipuri mythology|Umang Lai|Lai Haraoba}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Contains Indic text}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sanamahism (ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ)
| 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|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages = [[Meitei language]]
| related-c =
| notes = This 2,000 years old religion is one of the oldest religions in the world.
}}

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}), also known as '''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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to [[Leimarel Sidabi]] and Phungga. This is also seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.ca/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.ca/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}}
===Prime deities ===
There are five prime deities in Sanamahism:
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]: he is the King of the gods.
* [[Kuru (mythology)|Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]: he is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* [[Pakhangba]]: he is the supreme deity.
[[File:Pakhangba.jpg|thumb|Pakhangba,the serpent deity]]
[[File:Flag of Manipur.svg|thumb|Pakhangba in the flag of Manipur]]
* [[Leimarel Sidabi]]: she is the supreme Goddess.
* Imoinu Ahongbi, also known as [[Emoinu]]: though she is an incarnation of Goddess Leimarel, she herself is a goddess of wealth and prosperity.

===Others===
{{main|List of creatures in Meitei folklore}}
Besides, there are thousands of deities worshipped, including the following:
* [[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing and his stead Shamadon Ayangba.
* [[Sky God]] [[Atingkok Maru Sidaba|Soraren]]
* [[Sun God]] Korou Hanba
* [[Lion]] God [[Nongshaba]]

[[File:Uttra sanglen.jpg|thumb|Kanglasha, also known as Nongshaba, at Kangla]]
* Goddess of Power, [[Panthoibi]]

===Umang Lai ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] called [[Umang Lai]] including Ima Tamphaton Petangaa and [[Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba]].

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

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{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]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2020-01-02T16:11:52Z

2409:4066:3:9914:0:0:10B5:10A4:

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{Distinguish|Kanglei mythology|Umang Lai}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sanamahism (ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ)
| 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|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages = [[Meitei language]]
| related-c =
| notes = This 2000 years old religion is one of the oldest religions in the world
}}

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is also seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.ca/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.ca/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}}
===Prime Deities ===
There are''' five prime deities''' in '''Sanamahism, '''viz.
* '''[[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]''' : He is the King of the gods.
* '''[[Kuru (mythology)|Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]''' : He is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* '''[[Pakhangba]]''' : He is the supreme deity.
[[File:Pakhangba.jpg|thumb|Pakhangba,the serpent deity]]
[[File:Flag of Manipur.svg|thumb|Pakhangba in the flag of Manipur]]
* '''[[Leimarel Sidabi]]''' : She is the supreme Goddess.
* '''[[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]''' : Though she is an incarnation of '''Goddess Leimarel''', she herself is a '''Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'''.

===Others===
Besides, there are '''thousands of deities''' worshipped, including the following:
* '''[[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing''' and his stead '''Shamadon Ayangba'''.[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore|See Here]].
* [[Sky God]] '''[[Atingkok Maru Sidaba|Soraren]]'''
* [[Sun God]] '''Korou Hanba'''
* [[Lion]] God '''[[Nongshaba]]'''

[[File:Uttra sanglen.jpg|thumb|Kanglasha, aka Nongshaba, at Kangla]]
* Goddess of Power,''' [[Panthoibi]]'''

===[[Umang Lai]] ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] called [[Umang Lai]] including:
* '''Ima Tamphaton Petangaa'''
* '''[[Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba]]'''

===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==
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
* [[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
* [[Umang Lai]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{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]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-12-07T06:47:09Z

2409:4066:103:A39B:AD79:5342:5001:5741: /* Description */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = Sanamahism (ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤꯖꯝ)
| 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|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.ca/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.ca/books?id=PgHgCwAAQBAJ|year=2014|publisher=ARECOM|page=103}}</ref>

== Deities ==
{{Main|Lists of deities in Sanamahism|Kanglei mythology}}
===Prime Deities ===
There are''' five prime deities''' in '''Sanamahism, '''viz.
* '''[[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]''' : He is the King of the gods.
* '''[[Kuru (mythology)|Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]''' : He is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* '''[[Pakhangba]]''' : He is the supreme deity.
[[File:Pakhangba.jpg|thumb|Pakhangba,the serpent deity]]
[[File:Flag of Manipur.svg|thumb|Pakhangba in the flag of Manipur]]
* '''[[Leimarel Sidabi]]''' : She is the supreme Goddess.
* '''[[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]''' : Though she is an incarnation of '''Goddess Leimarel''', she herself is a '''Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'''.

===Others===
Besides, there are '''thousands of deities''' worshipped, including the following:
* '''[[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing''' and his stead '''Shamadon Ayangba'''.[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore|See Here]].
* [[Sky God]] '''Soraren'''
* [[Sun God]] '''Korou Hanba'''
* [[Lion]] God '''Nongshaba'''

[[File:Uttra sanglen.jpg|thumb|Kanglasha, aka Nongshaba, at Kangla]]
* Goddess of Power,''' Panthoibi'''

===Forest Deities ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] including:
* '''Ima Tamphaton Petangaa'''
* '''Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba'''

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

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

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
*[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
*[[Shamanism]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{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]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-20T06:44:08Z

2409:4066:200:F423:E865:DC76:1A36:6DF2: /* Others */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|'''The Symbol of Sanamahi''' (Source: [[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]])|260x260px]]

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 and a variant of [[shamanism]].{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} It competes with and co-exists with [[Vaishnavism]] – a tradition of Hinduism – among the [[Meitei people|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.

== Deities ==
{{Main|Lists of deities in Sanamahism}}
===Prime Deities ===
There are''' five prime deities''' in '''Sanamahism, '''viz.
* '''[[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]''' : He is the King of God's.
* '''Atingkok Maru Sidaba''' : He is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* '''[[Pakhangba]]''' : He is the supreme deity.
* '''Leimarel Sidabi''' : She is the supreme Goddesses.
* '''[[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]''' : Though she is an incarnation of '''Goddess Leimarel''', she herself is a '''Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'''.
===Others===
Besides, there are '''thousands of deities''' worshipped, including the following:
* '''[[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing''' and his stead '''Shamadon Ayangba'''.[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore|See Here]].
* [[Sky God]] '''Soraren'''
* [[Sun God]] '''Korou Hanba'''
* [[Lion]] God '''Nongshaba'''
* Goddess of [[Power]],''' Panthoibi'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Forest Deities ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] including:
* '''Ima Tamphaton Petangaa'''
* '''Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Ancestral Deities ===
{{Main|Apokpa}}
Besides, there are deities for each clans as well as families called [[Apokpa]].

===Divine Figures===
Though '''Sanarembi''' is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in '''[[Lai Haraoba]]''' festival.
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
*[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
*[[Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*
* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
[[Category:Religion in Asia]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-20T06:42:48Z

2409:4066:200:F423:E865:DC76:1A36:6DF2: /* Divine Figures */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|'''The Symbol of Sanamahi''' (Source: [[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]])|260x260px]]

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 and a variant of [[shamanism]].{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} It competes with and co-exists with [[Vaishnavism]] – a tradition of Hinduism – among the [[Meitei people|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.

== Deities ==
{{Main|Lists of deities in Sanamahism}}
===Prime Deities ===
There are''' five prime deities''' in '''Sanamahism, '''viz.
* '''[[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]''' : He is the King of God's.
* '''Atingkok Maru Sidaba''' : He is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* '''[[Pakhangba]]''' : He is the supreme deity.
* '''Leimarel Sidabi''' : She is the supreme Goddesses.
* '''[[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]''' : Though she is an incarnation of '''Goddess Leimarel''', she herself is a '''Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'''.
===Others===
Besides, there are '''thousands of deities''' worshipped, including the following:
* '''[[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing''' and his stead '''Shamadon Ayangba.'''
* [[Sky God]] '''Soraren'''
* [[Sun God]] '''Korou Hanba'''
* [[Lion]] God '''Nongshaba'''
* Goddess of [[Power]],''' Panthoibi'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Forest Deities ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] including:
* '''Ima Tamphaton Petangaa'''
* '''Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Ancestral Deities ===
{{Main|Apokpa}}
Besides, there are deities for each clans as well as families called [[Apokpa]].

===Divine Figures===
Though '''Sanarembi''' is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in '''[[Lai Haraoba]]''' festival.
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
*[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
*[[Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*
* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
[[Category:Religion in Asia]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-20T06:42:22Z

2409:4066:200:F423:E865:DC76:1A36:6DF2: /* Ancestral Deities */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|'''The Symbol of Sanamahi''' (Source: [[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]])|260x260px]]

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 and a variant of [[shamanism]].{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} It competes with and co-exists with [[Vaishnavism]] – a tradition of Hinduism – among the [[Meitei people|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.

== Deities ==
{{Main|Lists of deities in Sanamahism}}
===Prime Deities ===
There are''' five prime deities''' in '''Sanamahism, '''viz.
* '''[[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]''' : He is the King of God's.
* '''Atingkok Maru Sidaba''' : He is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* '''[[Pakhangba]]''' : He is the supreme deity.
* '''Leimarel Sidabi''' : She is the supreme Goddesses.
* '''[[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]''' : Though she is an incarnation of '''Goddess Leimarel''', she herself is a '''Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'''.
===Others===
Besides, there are '''thousands of deities''' worshipped, including the following:
* '''[[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing''' and his stead '''Shamadon Ayangba.'''
* [[Sky God]] '''Soraren'''
* [[Sun God]] '''Korou Hanba'''
* [[Lion]] God '''Nongshaba'''
* Goddess of [[Power]],''' Panthoibi'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Forest Deities ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] including:
* '''Ima Tamphaton Petangaa'''
* '''Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Ancestral Deities ===
{{Main|Apokpa}}
Besides, there are deities for each clans as well as families called [[Apokpa]].

===Divine Figures===
Though [[Sanarembi]] is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in [[Lai Haraoba]] festival.
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
*[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
*[[Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*
* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
[[Category:Religion in Asia]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-20T06:42:05Z

2409:4066:200:F423:E865:DC76:1A36:6DF2: /* Forest Deities */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|'''The Symbol of Sanamahi''' (Source: [[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]])|260x260px]]

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 and a variant of [[shamanism]].{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} It competes with and co-exists with [[Vaishnavism]] – a tradition of Hinduism – among the [[Meitei people|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.

== Deities ==
{{Main|Lists of deities in Sanamahism}}
===Prime Deities ===
There are''' five prime deities''' in '''Sanamahism, '''viz.
* '''[[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]''' : He is the King of God's.
* '''Atingkok Maru Sidaba''' : He is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* '''[[Pakhangba]]''' : He is the supreme deity.
* '''Leimarel Sidabi''' : She is the supreme Goddesses.
* '''[[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]''' : Though she is an incarnation of '''Goddess Leimarel''', she herself is a '''Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'''.
===Others===
Besides, there are '''thousands of deities''' worshipped, including the following:
* '''[[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing''' and his stead '''Shamadon Ayangba.'''
* [[Sky God]] '''Soraren'''
* [[Sun God]] '''Korou Hanba'''
* [[Lion]] God '''Nongshaba'''
* Goddess of [[Power]],''' Panthoibi'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Forest Deities ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with [[sacred groves]] including:
* '''Ima Tamphaton Petangaa'''
* '''Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Ancestral Deities ===
{{Main|Apokpa}}
Besides, there are deities for each clans as well as families called [[Apokpa]]
===Divine Figures===
Though [[Sanarembi]] is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in [[Lai Haraoba]] festival.
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
*[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
*[[Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*
* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
[[Category:Religion in Asia]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-20T06:40:51Z

2409:4066:200:F423:E865:DC76:1A36:6DF2: /* Others */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|'''The Symbol of Sanamahi''' (Source: [[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]])|260x260px]]

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 and a variant of [[shamanism]].{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} It competes with and co-exists with [[Vaishnavism]] – a tradition of Hinduism – among the [[Meitei people|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.

== Deities ==
{{Main|Lists of deities in Sanamahism}}
===Prime Deities ===
There are''' five prime deities''' in '''Sanamahism, '''viz.
* '''[[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]''' : He is the King of God's.
* '''Atingkok Maru Sidaba''' : He is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* '''[[Pakhangba]]''' : He is the supreme deity.
* '''Leimarel Sidabi''' : She is the supreme Goddesses.
* '''[[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]''' : Though she is an incarnation of '''Goddess Leimarel''', she herself is a '''Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'''.
===Others===
Besides, there are '''thousands of deities''' worshipped, including the following:
* '''[[Polo]] Deity Lord Marjing''' and his stead '''Shamadon Ayangba.'''
* [[Sky God]] '''Soraren'''
* [[Sun God]] '''Korou Hanba'''
* [[Lion]] God '''Nongshaba'''
* Goddess of [[Power]],''' Panthoibi'''
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

===Forest Deities ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with sacred groves including:
*[[Petangaa]]
*[[Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba]]
===Ancestral Deities ===
{{Main|Apokpa}}
Besides, there are deities for each clans as well as families called [[Apokpa]]
===Divine Figures===
Though [[Sanarembi]] is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in [[Lai Haraoba]] festival.
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
*[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
*[[Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*
* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
[[Category:Religion in Asia]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-20T06:38:08Z

2409:4066:200:F423:E865:DC76:1A36:6DF2: /* Deities */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|'''The Symbol of Sanamahi''' (Source: [[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]])|260x260px]]

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 and a variant of [[shamanism]].{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} It competes with and co-exists with [[Vaishnavism]] – a tradition of Hinduism – among the [[Meitei people|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.

== Deities ==
{{Main|Lists of deities in Sanamahism}}
===Prime Deities ===
There are''' five prime deities''' in '''Sanamahism, '''viz.
* '''[[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]''' : He is the King of God's.
* '''Atingkok Maru Sidaba''' : He is the Creator of the [[Universe]].
* '''[[Pakhangba]]''' : He is the supreme deity.
* '''Leimarel Sidabi''' : She is the supreme Goddesses.
* '''[[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]''' : Though she is an incarnation of '''Goddess Leimarel''', she herself is a '''Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity'''.
===Others===
Besides, there are '''thousands of deities''' such as
* [[Polo]] Deity Lord [[Marjing]] and his stead [[Shamadon Ayangba]].
* [[Sky God]] [[Soraren]]
* [[Sun God]] [[Korou Hanba]]
* [[Lion]] God [[Nongshaba]]
* Goddess of [[Power]], [[Panthoibi]]
===Forest Deities ===
Besides, there are other deities associated with sacred groves including:
*[[Petangaa]]
*[[Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba]]
===Ancestral Deities ===
{{Main|Apokpa}}
Besides, there are deities for each clans as well as families called [[Apokpa]]
===Divine Figures===
Though [[Sanarembi]] is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in [[Lai Haraoba]] festival.
[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism|See More]].

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
*[[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
*[[Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*
* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
[[Category:Religion in Asia]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-18T03:30:04Z

2409:4066:200:A6A7:CAEA:8F17:D8F5:1570: /* See also */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|'''The Symbol of Sanamahi''' (Source: [[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]])|260x260px]]

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}

==Origin==
The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}
[[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 and a variant of [[shamanism]].{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} It competes with and co-exists with [[Vaishnavism]] – a tradition of Hinduism – among the [[Meitei people|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 language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|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.

== Prime Deities ==
There are five prime deities in Sanamahism, viz.

* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
* [[Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
* [[Pakhangba]]
* [[Leimarel Sidabi]]
* [[Imoinu Ahongbi]] aka [[Emoinu]]
*Besides, there are other unique deities such as [[Marjing]] and his stead [[Shamadon Ayangba]].
*Sky God [[Soraren]]
*Sun God [[Korou Hanba]]
*Lion God [[Nongshaba]]
*Goddess of power, [[Panthoibi]]
*Besides, there are other deities associated with sacred groves including:
*[[Petangaa]]
*[[Chothe Thangwai Pakhangba]]
*Besides, there are deities for each clans as well as families called [[Apokpa]]
*Though [[Sanarembi]] is not a deity, she is a divine figure in the religious chanting of hymns in [[Lai Haraoba]] festival.
*[[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
*[[Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*
* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{Religion topics}}

[[Category:Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Indian religions]]
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
[[Category:Religion in Asia]]

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-06T12:56:27Z

2409:4066:101:5777:1C93:6BE6:9EB2:C14A:

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-06T12:55:36Z

2409:4066:101:5777:1C93:6BE6:9EB2:C14A: /* See also */

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-10-06T05:59:04Z

2409:4066:101:5777:2273:B867:8678:DF4C:

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}[[File:The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg|thumb|'''The Symbol of Sanamahi'''Source: [[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]]|260x260px]]

'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is an [[animism|animistic]], ancestor worshipping, [[Shaman]]-led religious tradition found among the [[Meitei people|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 everywhere"), the most important Meitei deities.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The details of the identity of Sanamahi – sun, fire, or an aspect of 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/> Along with Sanamahi, in the past, religious space within Meitei homes called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' were dedicated to Leimaren and Phungga. This is no longer seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}
==Origin ==

The term '''Sanamahism''' is neither found in historic literature of northeast India, nor in Myanmar. The first mentions are found in the [[Cheitharol Kumbaba]] records of the 18th-century Manipuri king [[Pamheiba]] (later named as Garibniwaz), which mentions the ritual of drinking ''yu'' (fermented rice beer) and feasting before a deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} The Sanamahi deity is likely more ancient than the 18th-century, and was known by other names such as '''Taibang Khaiba''' and '''Laiwa Haba''', but this is uncertain and lacks literary or archaeological evidence.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=19-21}}

[[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 and a variant of [[shamanism]].{{sfn|Otojit Kshetrimayum|2009|pp=17-34}} 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 [[Manipuri]] heritage, along with seeking a ban on Bengali language movies and replacing it with English language entertainment broadcast from [[South Korea]].<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 Kangleipak.{{cn|date=September 2019}}

Sanamahism is also known as "'''Kangleism"''' or "'''Kanglei Laining"''' since it is originated from the ancient kingdom of [[Kangleipak]].

It also known as "Meiteism" or "Meitei Laining" for it is followed by mainly the [[Meitei people]].

It is also called "'''Manipurism"''' for it is mainly practiced in [[Manipur]].

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

== Forms of Worship ==
There are various forms of worship of the deities associated with their respective sects,

* Umang Lai Worship (365 forms)
* Yum Lai Worship
* Lam Lai Worship
* Keithel Lairembi Worship
* Sagei Apokpa Khurumba Worship
* Salai Apokpa Khurumba Worship
* Tengbanba Mapu Khurumba Worship
* Pakhangba Worship
* Sanamahi Worship
* Atingkhok Maru Sidaba Worship
* Imoinu Ima Worship
* Laimarel Sidabi Worship

== Significant Temples ==
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* Hiyangthang Lairembi Temple
* Nongpok Ningthou Temple
*Ima Khunthok Haanbi Temple
*Ima Nongthang Leima Temple
* Ima Panthoibi Temple
*Panam Ningthou Temple
* Pakhangba Temple
* Khuman Apokpa Temple
* Marjing Temple
* Thangjing Temple
* Koubru Temple
* Ebudhou Khamlangba Temple
* Konthoujam Lairembi Temple
* Soraren Temple
* Wangbren Temple
* Ereima Ima Temple
* Ebudhou Korouhanba Temple
* Ima Phouoibi Temple

== Sacred Books ==

* Sanamahi Laihui Puya
* Pakhangba Nongkarol
* Karthong Lamlen
* Pudil
* Hijan-Hirao
*Khamoi Yangoi Sekning Puya
*Wachetlon Pathup Puya
*Panthoibi Khongul
*Leishemlol Ariuba Puya
*
*Ougri (Leiroi Nongloi Essei)
*Malem Chakkhong Puya
*[[Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya]]
*
*
*

*

==See also==
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]
* [[Sarnaism]] – a tribal folk religion found in the eastern states of India
*[[Shamanism]]
* [[Sanamahi Kiyong Temple]]
* [[Sanamahi Temple]]

==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| pp= 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| pp= 905-919| 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| pp= 129-154| jstor= 25488260}}
* {{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}}

{{Religion topics}}

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

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-09-22T07:57:55Z

2409:4066:81:B2E5:26D6:ACE0:65AA:8AB8: /* Earliest existence */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{multiple issues|
{{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}}
}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}

'''Sanamahism''' or '''Sanamahi Laining''' or '''Kangleism''' or '''Kanglei Laining''' refers to the traditional [[Meitei people|Meitei]] beliefs and ancient religion found in the states of [[Manipur]], [[Assam]] and [[Tripura]] in [[India]] and in [[Bangladesh]] and [[Myanmar]]. The term is derived from ''Sanamahi'', one of the important Meetei deities. Sanamahi is said to derive his power from the combination of all the stars in the galaxy. 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]].

==Earliest existence==

The religion of '''Sanamahism''' is an archaic as well as ancient one. Being one of the oldest surviving religions in the world, its earliest existence dates back to 1500 BC in the ancient kingdom of '''Kangleipak''' (present day Manipur and its surrounding regions).

==Etymology ==
'''Sanamahism''' is also termed as '''Kangleism''' or '''Kanglei Laining''' for it originated from the ancient kingdom of '''Kangleipak'''.

It is also termed even as '''Meiteism''' or '''Meitei Laining''' for it is the faith mainly practised by the Meitei people.

In some cases, it is also termed as '''Manipurism''' or '''Manipuri Laining'''.

==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 considered 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
* Ebudhou Khumaba

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]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]

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

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-09-22T07:54:26Z

2409:4066:81:B2E5:26D6:ACE0:65AA:8AB8:

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{multiple issues|
{{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}}
}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}

'''Sanamahism''' or '''Sanamahi Laining''' or '''Kangleism''' or '''Kanglei Laining''' refers to the traditional [[Meitei people|Meitei]] beliefs and ancient religion found in the states of [[Manipur]], [[Assam]] and [[Tripura]] in [[India]] and in [[Bangladesh]] and [[Myanmar]]. The term is derived from ''Sanamahi'', one of the important Meetei deities. Sanamahi is said to derive his power from the combination of all the stars in the galaxy. 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]].

==Earliest existence==

The religion of '''Sanamahism''' is an archaic as well as ancient one. It's earliest existence dates back to 1500 BC in the ancient kingdom of '''Kangleipak''' (present day Manipur and its surrounding regions).

==Etymology ==
'''Sanamahism''' is also termed as '''Kangleism''' or '''Kanglei Laining''' for it originated from the ancient kingdom of '''Kangleipak'''.

It is also termed even as '''Meiteism''' or '''Meitei Laining''' for it is the faith mainly practised by the Meitei people.

In some cases, it is also termed as '''Manipurism''' or '''Manipuri Laining'''.

==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 considered 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
* Ebudhou Khumaba

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]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]

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

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-09-22T07:46:39Z

2409:4066:81:B2E5:26D6:ACE0:65AA:8AB8: /* Etymology */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{multiple issues|
{{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}}
}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}

'''Sanamahism''' or '''Sanamahi Laining''' or '''Kangleism''' or '''Kanglei Laining''' refers to the traditional [[Meitei people|Meitei]] beliefs and ancient religion found in the states of [[Manipur]], [[Assam]] and [[Tripura]] in [[India]] and in [[Bangladesh]] and [[Myanmar]]. The term is derived from ''Sanamahi'', one of the important Meetei deities. Sanamahi is said to derive his power from the combination of all the stars in the galaxy. 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]].

==Etymology ==
'''Sanamahism''' is also termed as '''Kangleism''' or '''Kanglei Laining''' for it originated from the ancient kingdom of '''Kangleipak'''.

It is also termed even as '''Meiteism''' or '''Meitei Laining''' for it is the faith mainly practised by the Meitei people.

In some cases, it is also termed as '''Manipurism''' or '''Manipuri Laining'''.

==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 considered 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
* Ebudhou Khumaba

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]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]

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

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-09-22T07:44:44Z

2409:4066:81:B2E5:26D6:ACE0:65AA:8AB8:

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{multiple issues|
{{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}}
}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}

'''Sanamahism''' or '''Sanamahi Laining''' or '''Kangleism''' or '''Kanglei Laining''' refers to the traditional [[Meitei people|Meitei]] beliefs and ancient religion found in the states of [[Manipur]], [[Assam]] and [[Tripura]] in [[India]] and in [[Bangladesh]] and [[Myanmar]]. The term is derived from ''Sanamahi'', one of the important Meetei deities. Sanamahi is said to derive his power from the combination of all the stars in the galaxy. 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]].

==Etymology ==
Sanamahism is also termed as '''Kangleism''' for it originated from the ancient kingdom of '''Kangleipak'''.
It is also termed even as '''Meiteism''' or '''Meitei Laining''' for it is the faith mainly practised by the Meitei people.
In some cases, it is also termed as '''Manipurism'''

==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 considered 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
* Ebudhou Khumaba

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]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]

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

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-09-22T07:40:01Z

2409:4066:81:B2E5:26D6:ACE0:65AA:8AB8:

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{About|the Sanamahism religion|consideration of ethnic, historic and cultural aspects of the Sanamahist identity|Meetei}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{multiple issues|
{{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}}
}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}

'''Sanamahism''' or '''Sanamahi Laining''' or '''Kangleism''' or '''Kanglei Laining''' refers to the traditional [[Meitei people|Meitei]] beliefs and ancient religion found in the states of [[Manipur]], [[Assam]] and [[Tripura]] in [[India]] and in [[Bangladesh]] and [[Myanmar]]. The term is derived from ''Sanamahi'', one of the important Meetei deities. Sanamahi is said to derive his power from the combination of all the stars in the galaxy. 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 considered 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
* Ebudhou Khumaba

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]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]

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

Archive:Sanamahism

2019-06-08T04:04:54Z

2409:4066:9B:F24A:C570:E8FA:3E55:8443: /* Revival */

{{short description|Religious or philosophical tradition of Meetei origin}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{multiple issues|
{{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}}
}}
{{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 = [[PuYa|PuYa written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
| languages =
| related-c =
| notes =
}}

'''Sanamahism''' or '''Sanamahi Laining''' refers to the traditional [[Meitei people|Meitei]] beliefs and religion found in the state of India called [[Manipur]] near [[Myanmar]]. The term is derived from ''Sanamahi'', one of the important Meetei/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 considered 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
* Ebudhou Khumaba

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]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred books of Sanamahi religion]]

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