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{{Short description|Indigenous religion of the Meitei people}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Meitei religion|Meiteism|Meitei Vaishnavism}}
{{redirect-distinguish|Meitei religion|Meiteism|Meitei Vaishnavism}}
{{distinguish|Shamanism}}
{{distinguish|Shamanism}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Merging from |1=Philosophy of Sanamahism |target=Sanamahism |afd=Philosophy of Sanamahism |date =September 2026 }}{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox religion
{{Infobox religion
| name              = Sanamahism
| name              = Sanamahism
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{{Sanamahism}}
{{Sanamahism}}
'''Sanamahism''' ({{langx|mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ|Sanamahi laining|liquid gold religion}}),<ref name="Meitei 30">{{Cite book |last=Meitei |first=Mayanglambam Mangangsana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j7E2EAAAQBAJ&q=meitei%20traditional%20religion%20which%20is%20loosely%20named%20Sanamahi%20Laining&pg=PA30 |title=The Sound of Pena in Manipur |date=2021-06-06 |publisher=Marjing Mayanglambam |isbn=978-93-5473-655-1 |page=30 |language=en}}</ref> also known as Meiteism ({{langx|mni|ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡ|Meitei laining|Meitei religion}}),<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Meitei |first1=Sanjenbam Yaiphaba |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c276DwAAQBAJ&q=Meitei%20Laining%20or%20Sanamahism&pg=PT185 |title=The Cultural Heritage of Manipur |last2=Chaudhuri |first2=Sarit K. |last3=Arunkumar |first3=M. C. |date=2020-11-25 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-29637-2 |pages=185 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Zehol |first=Lucy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1qTRz27T_UcC&q=meiteism%20sanamahism&pg=PA79 |title=Ethnicity in Manipur: Experiences, Issues, and Perspectives |date=1998 |publisher=Regency Publications |isbn=978-81-86030-51-6 |page=79}}</ref> or Lainingthouism ({{langx|mni|ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡ|Lainingthou laining}}) is an [[ethnic religion]] of the [[Meitei people]] of [[Manipur]], in [[Northeast India]]. It is a polytheistic religion and is named after [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]], one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gourchandra |first=M. |date=1982 |title=Sanamahi Laihui |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465618}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Revivalism of Sanamahism |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref name="Nilabir 2002">{{Cite book |last=Nilabir |first=Sairem |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465239 |title=Laiyingthou Sanamahi Amasung Sanamahi Laining Hinggat Ihou |date=2002}}</ref> Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god [[Sidaba Mapu]] and the supreme goddess [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, the Maru Loishang, that oversees the main religious activities and governs all affairs of the religion, including the conduct of priest and priestess.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Maru (Pandit Loisang) |url=https://panditloisangmanipur.wordpress.com/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Maru (Pandit Loisang) |language=en}}</ref> The Maru Loishang also acts as a court for religious disputes.<ref name=":0" /> There are three main departments under the Manu Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang, and the Amaibi Loishang.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=IGNCA's Workshop on Maibi Culture of Manipur {{!}} IGNCA |url=https://ignca.gov.in/regional-centers/northeastern-regional-centre-guwahati/report-workshop-on-maibi-culture-of-manipur/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=ignca.gov.in}}</ref> These departments have existed since the reign of King [[Naothingkhong|Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong]] of [[Manipur]] in 662 CE.<ref name=":1"/>
'''Sanamahism''' ({{langx|mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ|Sanamahi laining|liquid gold religion}}),<ref name="Meitei 30">{{Cite book |last=Meitei |first=Mayanglambam Mangangsana |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j7E2EAAAQBAJ&q=meitei%20traditional%20religion%20which%20is%20loosely%20named%20Sanamahi%20Laining&pg=PA30 |title=The Sound of Pena in Manipur |date=2021-06-06 |publisher=Marjing Mayanglambam |isbn=978-93-5473-655-1 |page=30 |language=en}}</ref> also known as Meiteism ({{langx|mni|ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡ|Meitei laining|Meitei religion}}),<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Meitei |first1=Sanjenbam Yaiphaba |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c276DwAAQBAJ&q=Meitei%20Laining%20or%20Sanamahism&pg=PT185 |title=The Cultural Heritage of Manipur |last2=Chaudhuri |first2=Sarit K. |last3=Arunkumar |first3=M. C. |date=2020-11-25 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-000-29637-2 |pages=185 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Zehol |first=Lucy |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1qTRz27T_UcC&q=meiteism%20sanamahism&pg=PA79 |title=Ethnicity in Manipur: Experiences, Issues, and Perspectives |date=1998 |publisher=Regency Publications |isbn=978-81-86030-51-6 |page=79}}</ref> or Lainingthouism ({{langx|mni|ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ ꯂꯥꯢꯅꯤꯡ|Lainingthou laining}}) is an [[ethnic religion]] of the [[Meitei people]] of [[Manipur]], in [[Northeast India]]. It is a [[Polytheism|polytheistic religion]] and is named after [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]], one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gourchandra |first=M. |date=1982 |title=Sanamahi Laihui |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465618}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Revivalism of Sanamahism |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref name="Nilabir 2002">{{Cite book |last=Nilabir |first=Sairem |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465239 |title=Laiyingthou Sanamahi Amasung Sanamahi Laining Hinggat Ihou |date=2002}}</ref>  


The followers of Sanamahism are known as [[Sanamahists]].
The followers of Sanamahism are known as [[Sanamahists]]. Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god [[Sidaba Mapu]] and the supreme goddess [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, the Maru Loishang, that oversees the main religious activities and governs all affairs of the religion, including the conduct of priest and priestess.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Maru (Pandit Loisang) |url=https://panditloisangmanipur.wordpress.com/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=Maru (Pandit Loisang) |language=en}}</ref> The Maru Loishang also acts as a court for religious disputes.<ref name=":0" /> There are three main departments under the Manu Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang, and the Amaibi Loishang.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=IGNCA's Workshop on Maibi Culture of Manipur {{!}} IGNCA |url=https://ignca.gov.in/regional-centers/northeastern-regional-centre-guwahati/report-workshop-on-maibi-culture-of-manipur/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=ignca.gov.in}}</ref> These departments have existed since the reign of King [[Naothingkhong|Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong]] of [[Manipur]] in 662 CE.<ref name=":1"/>


''[[Amailon]]'' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯃꯥꯏꯂꯣꯟ}}), also known as ''Amailol'' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯃꯥꯏꯂꯣꯜ}}), is a [[liturgical language|liturgical variety]] of the [[Meitei language]], spoken by the [[Maibi]]s (priestesses) and the [[:simple:Nupa Maibi|Nupa Maibi]]s ([[transgender]]ed priests), ritual practitioners of the Sanamahi religious tradition in [[Manipur]] and other places of [[Meitei diaspora]]. It is used specifically in ceremonial and ritual contexts and has no daily spoken form.<ref name=":cultureincrisis.org/projects/amailon">{{Cite web|title=Amailon: the ritual language of the Nupa Maibi|url=https://cultureincrisis.org/projects/amailon-the-ritual-language-of-the-nupa-maibi|access-date=2026-02-11|website=Culture in Crisis|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":amailon-the-ritual-language-of-the-nupa-maibi">{{Cite web|title=Project Profile: Amailon: the ritual language of the Nupa Maibi – Endangered Languages Archive|url=https://blogs.soas.ac.uk/elar/2017/12/18/project-profile-amailon-the-ritual-language-of-the-nupa-maibi/|access-date=2026-02-11|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":preservica">Endangered Languages Archive. (n.d.). Amailon: The ritual language of the Nupa Maibi. eldp.access.preservica.com</ref>
''[[Amailon]]'' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯃꯥꯏꯂꯣꯟ}}), also known as ''Amailol'' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯑꯃꯥꯏꯂꯣꯜ}}), is a [[liturgical language|liturgical variety]] of the [[Meitei language]], spoken by the [[Maibi]]s (priestesses) and the [[:simple:Nupa Maibi|Nupa Maibi]]s ([[transgender]] priests), ritual practitioners of the Sanamahi religious tradition in [[Manipur]] and other places of [[Meitei diaspora]]. It is used specifically in ceremonial and ritual contexts and has no daily spoken form.<ref name=":cultureincrisis.org/projects/amailon">{{Cite web|title=Amailon: the ritual language of the Nupa Maibi|url=https://cultureincrisis.org/projects/amailon-the-ritual-language-of-the-nupa-maibi|access-date=2026-02-11|website=Culture in Crisis|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":amailon-the-ritual-language-of-the-nupa-maibi">{{Cite web|title=Project Profile: Amailon: the ritual language of the Nupa Maibi – Endangered Languages Archive|url=https://blogs.soas.ac.uk/elar/2017/12/18/project-profile-amailon-the-ritual-language-of-the-nupa-maibi/|access-date=2026-02-11|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":preservica">Endangered Languages Archive. (n.d.). Amailon: The ritual language of the Nupa Maibi. eldp.access.preservica.com</ref>


==Deities==
==Deities==
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The Umang Lais are often regarded as aspects or incarnations of the main deities. The worship of Umang Lais and the ritual that this entails, referred to as the Umang Lai Haraoba, is one of the main religious festivals in Sanamahism. The Umang Lais are associated with [[sacred groves]], also called [[Umang Lai]]. There are similarities between the Umang Lais and the [[Nat (deity)|Nat]] deities of Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar Nat and Manipuri UmangLai Nat Festival |website=e-pao.net |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.Myanmar_Nat_and_Manipuri_UmangLai_Nat_Festival|access-date=2022-04-18}}</ref>
The Umang Lais are often regarded as aspects or incarnations of the main deities. The worship of Umang Lais and the ritual that this entails, referred to as the Umang Lai Haraoba, is one of the main religious festivals in Sanamahism. The Umang Lais are associated with [[sacred groves]], also called [[Umang Lai]]. There are similarities between the Umang Lais and the [[Nat (deity)|Nat]] deities of Myanmar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar Nat and Manipuri UmangLai Nat Festival |website=e-pao.net |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.Myanmar_Nat_and_Manipuri_UmangLai_Nat_Festival|access-date=2022-04-18}}</ref>


All the deities are denoted by the universal term Lai which means "god" in Meithei. When referring to a male deity, the terms Lainingthou, Ebhudhou or Epa are used while the terms, Lairembi, Ebhendhou or Ema are used to refer to a female deity. Lairembi is mostly used for the Umang Lais.
All the deities are denoted by the universal term Lai which means "God" in the Manipuri language/Meiteilon. When referring to a male deity, the terms Lainingthou, Ebhudhou or Epa are used while the terms; Lairembi, Ebhendhou or Ema are used to refer to a female deity. Lairembi is mostly used for the Umang Lais.


==Origin==
==Origin==
Line 53: Line 51:


== Revival ==
== Revival ==
The collective effort of the revival of Sanamahism is often referred to as the Sanamahi movement. The earliest accounts can be traced back to the formation of the [[Apokpa Marup]] by [[Laininghal Naoriya Phulo]] in 1930 at Cachar (present day Assam, India).<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Meitei |first=Langonjam Chingkheinganba |title=Apokpa Marup_ Naoriya Phulo |url=https://www.academia.edu/3726228}}</ref> The movement spread to the Manipur Valley by 1934. Although the movement did not gain momentum due to the [[Battle of Imphal|Japanese invasion]] in the Second world war, plans were initially made to intensify the movement under the leadership of Takhellambam Bokul (Sanamahi Bokul).<ref name=":2" /> Phullo died in 1941.
The collective effort of the revival of Sanamahism is often referred to as the Sanamahi movement. The earliest accounts can be traced back to the formation of the [[Apokpa Marup]] by [[Laininghal Naoriya Phulo]] in 1930 at [[Cachar district|Cachar]] (present day [[Assam, India]]).<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Meitei |first=Langonjam Chingkheinganba |title=Apokpa Marup_ Naoriya Phulo |url=https://www.academia.edu/3726228}}</ref> The movement spread to the Manipur Valley by 1934. Although the movement did not gain momentum due to the [[Battle of Imphal|Japanese invasion]] in the [[World War II|Second World War]], plans were initially made to intensify the movement under the leadership of Takhellambam Bokul (Sanamahi Bokul).<ref name=":2" /> Phulo died in 1941.


Three years after the death of Phullo in 1944, the movement finally started gaining momentum in Manipur. Resolutions were made to denounce Hinduism and to revive Sanamahism in Manipur. Mass campaign were held to popularise Sanamahi religion at various places in Manipur. On 14 May 1945, the popular Meitei Marup was formed. This marked the beginning of the revival of Sanamahism and the [[Meitei script|Meitei Mayek]], original script of the Manipuri Language among other things. The term Sanamahism and Meitei Marup are often used interchangeably. The Brahma Sabha strongly opposed the movement and formally outcast 38 members of the Meitei Marup.
Three years after the death of Phulo in 1944, the movement finally started gaining momentum in Manipur. Resolutions were made to denounce Hinduism and to revive Sanamahism in Manipur. Mass campaign were held to popularise Sanamahi religion at various places in Manipur. On 14 May 1945, the popular Meitei Marup movement was formed. This marked the beginning of the revival of Sanamahism and the [[Meitei script|Meitei Mayek]], original script of the Manipuri Language among other things. The term Sanamahism and Meitei Marup are often used interchangeably. The Brahma Sabha strongly opposed the movement and formally outcast 38 members of Meitei Marup.


By the 1970s and 1980s, the Sanamahi Movement attracted more activists. Massive drives were held reclaiming shrines of deiteis and adverting Hindu practices or worship to ancient old traditions of Sanamahism. Notable movement was the seize of the idols of Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi from Hindu Brahmins which are now presently installed in the temple at First Manipur Rifles Ground, Imphal. On 16 February 1974, a mass conversion to Sanamahism was held. The event became known as, ''Nongkhang Parei Hanba,'' symbolic to reversing the forced mass baptism into Hinduism in 1729, referred to as ''Nongkhang Iruppa''.
By the 1970s and 1980s, the Sanamahi Movement attracted more activists. Massive drives were held reclaiming shrines of deiteis and adverting Hindu practices or worship to ancient old traditions of Sanamahism. Notable movement was the seizure of the idols of Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi from Hindu Brahmins, which are now presently installed in the temple at First Manipur Rifles Ground, Imphal. On 16 February 1974, a mass conversion to Sanamahism was held. The event became known as, ''Nongkhang Parei Hanba'', which symbolized reversing the forced mass baptism into Hinduism of the Meitei people of Manipur by King Pamheiba in 1729, which is referred to as ''Nongkhang Iruppa''.


On 23 April 1992, the then Maharaja of Manipur, [[Okendrajit Sana]] declared that "I open the Lubak Tabu and abandon Hinduism as state religion and recognition is hereby withdrawn by the Royal Customary Law of the Country, instead the Royal Customary Law revives the Lainingthouism as the state religion and do herby give recognition as state religion."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Revivalism of Sanamahism |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>
On 23 April 1992, the then Maharaja of Manipur, Okendrajit Sana declared that "I open the Lubak Tabu and abandon Hinduism as state religion and recognition is hereby withdrawn by the Royal Customary Law of the Country, instead the Royal Customary Law revives the Lainingthouism as the state religion and do herby give recognition as state religion."<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Revivalism of Sanamahism |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism |access-date=2022-08-09 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>


The [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]] of India places the Sanamahi followers to be 8.19% of the total population of Manipur, India.
The [[2011 Census of India|2011 census]] of India estimated the Sanamahism followers to be around 8.19% of the total population of Manipur, India.


== Official status ==
== Official status ==
Line 112: Line 110:
According to the 2011 census of India, 222,422 people in India follow Sanamahism. The vast majority of them (222,315 people) are in the state of [[Manipur]].<ref name="2011 other religions">
According to the 2011 census of India, 222,422 people in India follow Sanamahism. The vast majority of them (222,315 people) are in the state of [[Manipur]].<ref name="2011 other religions">
[https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11398 C-01 Appendix: Details of religious community shown under 'Other religions and persuasions' in main table C01 - 2011], Census of India, 2011.
[https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11398 C-01 Appendix: Details of religious community shown under 'Other religions and persuasions' in main table C01 - 2011], Census of India, 2011.
</ref>
</ref> Sanamahism followers make up 14.6 percent of all the [[Meitei people]]. Others that profess to follow Hinduism also follow many religious traditions and rituals of Sanamahism. For example, they worship Sanamahi in the south-west corners of their homes.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Inclusion of Sanamahi religion in minority is being reviewed' |newspaper=Hueiyen News Service |date=26 August 2011 |url=http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..270811.aug11 |via=e-pao.net |archive-date=7 March 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307055131/http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..270811.aug11}}</ref>
Sanamahism followers make up 14.6 percent of all the [[Meitei people]]. Others that profess to follow Hinduism, also follow many Sanamahi religious traditions and rituals. For example, they worship Sanamahi in the south-west corners of their homes.<ref>{{Cite news |title='Inclusion of Sanamahi religion in minority is being reviewed' |newspaper=Hueiyen News Service |date=26 August 2011 |url=http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..270811.aug11 |via=e-pao.net |archive-date=7 March 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307055131/http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..270811.aug11}}</ref>


== Associations and organisations ==
== Associations and organisations ==

Latest revision as of 21:59, 1 October 2026

Template:Redirect-distinguish Template:Distinguish Template:Merging fromTemplate:Use Indian English Template:Infobox religion Template:Contains special characters

Template:Sanamahism Sanamahism (Template:Langx),[1] also known as Meiteism (Template:Langx),[2][3] or Lainingthouism (Template:Langx) is an ethnic religion of the Meitei people of Manipur, in Northeast India. It is a polytheistic religion and is named after Lainingthou Sanamahi, one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith.[4][5][6]

The followers of Sanamahism are known as Sanamahists. Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Sidaba Mapu and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, the Maru Loishang, that oversees the main religious activities and governs all affairs of the religion, including the conduct of priest and priestess.[7] The Maru Loishang also acts as a court for religious disputes.[7] There are three main departments under the Manu Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang, and the Amaibi Loishang.[8] These departments have existed since the reign of King Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong of Manipur in 662 CE.[8]

Amailon (Template:Script), also known as Amailol (Template:Script), is a liturgical variety of the Meitei language, spoken by the Maibis (priestesses) and the Nupa Maibis (transgender priests), ritual practitioners of the Sanamahi religious tradition in Manipur and other places of Meitei diaspora. It is used specifically in ceremonial and ritual contexts and has no daily spoken form.[9][10][11]

Deities

The deities in Sanamhism can be classified as principal deities, ancestral deities, or apokpa, regional deities called Lam Lai or Umang Lai, and the ancestral deities worshipped by particular Meitei clans (Yek Lai) and families (Saghei Lai).

There are five main deities in Sanamahism:

Other important gods and goddesses include Panthoibi, Lainingthou Nongpok Ningthou, Lainingthou Koubru, Ibudhou Marjing, Thongalel, Wangbren, Eputhou Thangjing, Kounu, Nongshaba, Nongthang Leima, and Irai Leima.

The Umang Lais are often regarded as aspects or incarnations of the main deities. The worship of Umang Lais and the ritual that this entails, referred to as the Umang Lai Haraoba, is one of the main religious festivals in Sanamahism. The Umang Lais are associated with sacred groves, also called Umang Lai. There are similarities between the Umang Lais and the Nat deities of Myanmar.[12]

All the deities are denoted by the universal term Lai which means "God" in the Manipuri language/Meiteilon. When referring to a male deity, the terms Lainingthou, Ebhudhou or Epa are used while the terms; Lairembi, Ebhendhou or Ema are used to refer to a female deity. Lairembi is mostly used for the Umang Lais.

Origin

The first mentions are found in the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Court Chronicles of the kings of Manipur, starting from the king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, who traditionally ruled for more than a century, from 33 to 154 CE, though modern scholarship, including Sujit Mukherjee, give a range of 21 years, from 33 to 54 CE.[13]

File:Temple of God Pakhangba of Sanamahi religion inside the Kangla Fort, Imphal West, Manipur.jpg
Kangla Pakhangba Laishang, the temple of God Pakhangba of Sanamahi religion inside the Kangla Fort, Imphal West, Manipur

Revival

The collective effort of the revival of Sanamahism is often referred to as the Sanamahi movement. The earliest accounts can be traced back to the formation of the Apokpa Marup by Laininghal Naoriya Phulo in 1930 at Cachar (present day Assam, India).[14] The movement spread to the Manipur Valley by 1934. Although the movement did not gain momentum due to the Japanese invasion in the Second World War, plans were initially made to intensify the movement under the leadership of Takhellambam Bokul (Sanamahi Bokul).[14] Phulo died in 1941.

Three years after the death of Phulo in 1944, the movement finally started gaining momentum in Manipur. Resolutions were made to denounce Hinduism and to revive Sanamahism in Manipur. Mass campaign were held to popularise Sanamahi religion at various places in Manipur. On 14 May 1945, the popular Meitei Marup movement was formed. This marked the beginning of the revival of Sanamahism and the Meitei Mayek, original script of the Manipuri Language among other things. The term Sanamahism and Meitei Marup are often used interchangeably. The Brahma Sabha strongly opposed the movement and formally outcast 38 members of Meitei Marup.

By the 1970s and 1980s, the Sanamahi Movement attracted more activists. Massive drives were held reclaiming shrines of deiteis and adverting Hindu practices or worship to ancient old traditions of Sanamahism. Notable movement was the seizure of the idols of Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi from Hindu Brahmins, which are now presently installed in the temple at First Manipur Rifles Ground, Imphal. On 16 February 1974, a mass conversion to Sanamahism was held. The event became known as, Nongkhang Parei Hanba, which symbolized reversing the forced mass baptism into Hinduism of the Meitei people of Manipur by King Pamheiba in 1729, which is referred to as Nongkhang Iruppa.

On 23 April 1992, the then Maharaja of Manipur, Okendrajit Sana declared that "I open the Lubak Tabu and abandon Hinduism as state religion and recognition is hereby withdrawn by the Royal Customary Law of the Country, instead the Royal Customary Law revives the Lainingthouism as the state religion and do herby give recognition as state religion."[15]

The 2011 census of India estimated the Sanamahism followers to be around 8.19% of the total population of Manipur, India.

Official status

On 5 August 2022, the Manipur State Legislative Assembly re-affirmed a resolution to record the Sanamahi religion in the census data with a separate unique code as an officially recognised minority religion of India. In the past, on 31 July 2002 and on 1 August 2003, the Manipur State Legislative Assembly had adopted similar resolutions to allot a unique code for the religion but did not get approved by the Central Government of India.[16]

In the previous decades, many social, religious and political activists, associations and organisations struggled through violent agitations and protests to include the Sanamahi religion as an officially recognised minority religion of India.[17][18][19]

Practices

Many Sanamahi practices are focused on food offerings to deities, combined with hymns, as well as oracular ritual in which 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:

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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.[20]

Religious festivals

Fairs and Festivals in Manipur

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Demographics

Template:Historical population According to the 2011 census of India, 222,422 people in India follow Sanamahism. The vast majority of them (222,315 people) are in the state of Manipur.[21] Sanamahism followers make up 14.6 percent of all the Meitei people. Others that profess to follow Hinduism also follow many religious traditions and rituals of Sanamahism. For example, they worship Sanamahi in the south-west corners of their homes.[22]

Associations and organisations

References

  1. ↑ Meitei, Mayanglambam Mangangsana (2021-06-06) (in en). The Sound of Pena in Manipur. Marjing Mayanglambam. p. 30. ISBN 978-93-5473-655-1. https://books.google.com/books?id=j7E2EAAAQBAJ&q=meitei%20traditional%20religion%20which%20is%20loosely%20named%20Sanamahi%20Laining&pg=PA30. 
  2. ↑ Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25) (in en). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. pp. 185. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2. https://books.google.com/books?id=c276DwAAQBAJ&q=Meitei%20Laining%20or%20Sanamahism&pg=PT185. 
  3. ↑ Zehol, Lucy (1998). Ethnicity in Manipur: Experiences, Issues, and Perspectives. Regency Publications. p. 79. ISBN 978-81-86030-51-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=1qTRz27T_UcC&q=meiteism%20sanamahism&pg=PA79. 
  4. ↑ Gourchandra, M. (1982). Sanamahi Laihui. http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465618. 
  5. ↑ "The Revivalism of Sanamahism". http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism. 
  6. ↑ Nilabir, Sairem (2002). Laiyingthou Sanamahi Amasung Sanamahi Laining Hinggat Ihou. http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465239. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Maru (Pandit Loisang)" (in en). https://panditloisangmanipur.wordpress.com/. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "IGNCA's Workshop on Maibi Culture of Manipur | IGNCA". https://ignca.gov.in/regional-centers/northeastern-regional-centre-guwahati/report-workshop-on-maibi-culture-of-manipur/. 
  9. ↑ "Amailon: the ritual language of the Nupa Maibi" (in en). https://cultureincrisis.org/projects/amailon-the-ritual-language-of-the-nupa-maibi. 
  10. ↑ "Project Profile: Amailon: the ritual language of the Nupa Maibi – Endangered Languages Archive" (in en-GB). https://blogs.soas.ac.uk/elar/2017/12/18/project-profile-amailon-the-ritual-language-of-the-nupa-maibi/. 
  11. ↑ Endangered Languages Archive. (n.d.). Amailon: The ritual language of the Nupa Maibi. eldp.access.preservica.com
  12. ↑ "Myanmar Nat and Manipuri UmangLai Nat Festival". http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.Myanmar_Nat_and_Manipuri_UmangLai_Nat_Festival. 
  13. ↑ Mukherjee, Sujit (1998) (in en). A Dictionary of Indian Literature: Beginnings-1850. Orient Blackswan. p. 75. ISBN 978-81-250-1453-9. https://books.google.com/books?id=YCJrUfVtZxoC. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Meitei, Langonjam Chingkheinganba. Apokpa Marup_ Naoriya Phulo. https://www.academia.edu/3726228. 
  15. ↑ "The Revivalism of Sanamahism". http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism. 
  16. ↑ "Separate code mooted for Sanamahi religion : 06th aug22 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=9..060822.aug22. 
  17. ↑ Chingkheinganba, Salam (14 February 2020). "Okram Joy threatens to throng at assembly if house fails to recognise Sanamahi as minority religion - Imphal Times" (in en-gb). https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/16776-okram-joy-threatens-to-throng-at-assembly-if-house-fails-to-recognise-sanamahi-as-minority-religion. 
  18. ↑ "Minority religion status sought" (in en). https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/10/14/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Oct-14-The-Committee-on-Inclusion-of-Sanamahi-Religion-in-the-list.html. 
  19. ↑ "Government should declare Sanamahi as minority religion, says O Joy" (in en). https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2020/2/14/IMPHAL-Feb-14-Ex-MLA-O-Joy-has-urged-the-State-Government-to-declare-Sanamahi-as-a-religious-minority-.amp.html. 
  20. ↑ Soibam Birajit (2014). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM. p. 103. https://books.google.com/books?id=PgHgCwAAQBAJ. 
  21. ↑ C-01 Appendix: Details of religious community shown under 'Other religions and persuasions' in main table C01 - 2011, Census of India, 2011.
  22. ↑ "'Inclusion of Sanamahi religion in minority is being reviewed'". Hueiyen News Service. 26 August 2011. http://www.e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..270811.aug11. 

Sources

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  • Otojit Kshetrimayum (2009), "Women and Shamanism in Manipur and Korea: A Comparative Study", Indian Anthropologist 39 (1/2) 
  • Kshetrimayum, Otojit (2014), Ritual, Politics and Power in North East India: Contextualising the Lai Haraoba of Manipur, Ruby Press & Co., ISBN 978-93-82395-50-8 
  • Hodson, T.C. (2015), The Meitheis, Ruby Press & Co., ISBN 978-93-82395-56-0 
  • Saroj Nalini Parratt (1974), The Religion of Manipur: Beliefs, Rituals and Historical Development, Australian National University Press 
  • Saroj N. Arambam Parratt; John Parratt (2001), "The Second 'Women's War' and the Emergence of Democratic Government in Manipur", Modern Asian Studies 35 (4), doi:10.1017/S0026749X0100405X 
  • Sohini Ray (2009), "Writing the Body: Cosmology, Orthography, and Fragments of Modernity in Northeastern India", Anthropological Quarterly 82 (1), doi:10.1353/anq.0.0047 
  • Singh, Dr. Saikhom Gopal (2015), The Meeteis of Manipur: A Study in Human Geography, Ruby Press & Co., ISBN 978-93-82395-21-8 
  • Singh, Dr. Saikhom Gopal (2015), Population Geography of Manipur, Ruby Press & Co., ISBN 978-93-82395-25-6 

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