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m Reverted edits by 122.162.148.184 (talk) to last version by Serols
I think this is better description of the religion - gives more clear aspects of the religion. Furthermore, uncited claims including Sanamahism to be "animistic", "Shaman-led" religion has been removed. The later two is a false claim. There are of course similarity to a Shaman or Shamanism but this religion is not led by a Shaman. The Maibis are only priestess and not the heads of the religion. Sanamahism is very different from Animistic religions.
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{{Contains Meitei text}}
{{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 [[Indian religious]] tradition<ref group=n>Some scholars group it under [[Burmese folk religions]].</ref> found among the [[Meitei people]], the [[Pangal people]] and [[Meitei Christians]] in [[Manipur]] state in [[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'' ({{Literal translation|Spreading like liquid gold everywhere}}), the most important Meitei deity.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}}
'''Sanamahism''' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯅꯥꯃꯍꯤ ꯂꯥꯏꯅꯤꯡ}}) is a religion followed by the [[Meitei people|Meitei]]<nowiki/>s, [[Kabui]]<nowiki/>s, [[Zeliangrong]]<nowiki/>s and other ethnic groups in the northeastern Indian state of [[Manipur]], Assam, Tripura and in other countries including Bangladesh and Myanmar<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gourchandra |first=M. |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465618 |title=Sanamahi Laihui |date=1982}}</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>{{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>. Although the religion is polytheistic, Sanamahism or Sanamahi Laining translates to the religion of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi|Sanamahi]], one of the most important deities. Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Yaibirel Sidaba (also known as Saalailel Sidaba) and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. The importance of Sanamahi in the religion is also emphasized in the name itself which means ''Liquid Gold''. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, Maru Loishang (also known as Pandit Loishang) that oversees the main religious activities and govern all affairs pertaining to the religion including conducts 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 a court for religious disputes<ref name=":0" />. There are three main departments under the Pandit 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 [[:simple:Naothingkhong|Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong]] of [[Manipur]] in 662 AD<ref name=":1" />.


Broadly, Sanamahism worships elements of nature, such as fire, water and mountains, with notable temple and worship rituals at the Loi village of [[Andro, Imphal East|Andro]], east of [[Imphal]], according to [[Bertil Lintner]].<ref name=bertil113/> The details of the identity of [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]] –&nbsp;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. Since the conversion of Meiteis to Hinduism by the then-king in the 18th century and the two Muslim migrations of 1606 and 1724, Sanamahism is practised alongside Hinduism and Islam in most Meitei and Pangal homes in Imphal, the capital of Kangleipak. However, many Meiteis outside Imphal did not convert, and practice only Sanamahism. In every Meitei and Pangal home, including those who are also Hindus and Muslims, there are two sacred spaces where Sanamahi deities are worshipped, viz., a corner in the north-west called ''Sanamahi Kachin'' dedicated to Lainingthou and [[Leimarel Sidabi]] and next to the fireplace or hearth (Phung-ga) in the kitchen for the Goddess Emoinu, the goddess of well-being and prosperity. This is seen in modern Meitei families who identify with Sanamahism.{{sfn|Saroj Nalini Parratt|1974|pp=17-18}} According to [[Kanglei mythology]], life began from water in the form of "Namu Mitam Nga" commonly known as the "Ngamu" fish.<ref>{{harvp|Asha Gupta, Biodiversity conservation -- India, Northeastern|2007|page=232}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The tradition of Ngamu Usin of the Meetei Race of Kangleipak|url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.History_of_Manipur.Discovery_of_Kangleipak.The_tradition_of_Ngamu_Usin_of_the_Meetei_Race_of_Kangleipak|access-date=2020-12-06|quote=The 'Namu Mitam Nga' is the first living being created in form and shape of ... The Sanamahi Lainingthou created several living beings in the aim of ... sorrows etc. of the groom for his life upon the head of the Ngamu fish|website=www.e-pao.net}}</ref>
The Deiteis in Sanamhism can be classified into the main deities, ancestral deiteis called Apokpa, deiteis of Meitei clans (Yek Lai) or family (Saghei Lai) and regional deiteis called Lam Lai or Umang Lai. Worship of the Apokpa deities, the Yek Lais or the Saghei Lais are within a clan, families sharing the same surname. Regional deiteis are worshipped by the residents around the temple of the Umang Lais. The Umang Lais are often one of the main deiteis or an incarnation of the main deiteis. The worship of Umang Lais and the ritual that entails, reffered to as the Umang Lai Haraoba, is one of the main religious festivals in Sanamahism. There are similarities of the Umang Lais to the [[Nat (deity)|Nat]] deities of Myanmar<ref>{{Cite web |title=Myanmar Nat and Manipuri UmangLai Nat Festival |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Festival_of_Manipur.Myanmar_Nat_and_Manipuri_UmangLai_Nat_Festival |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref>.
 
All the deiteis are denoted by the universal term Lai which means god in Manipuri. When reffering to a male deity, the terms, Lainingthou, Ebhudhou or Epa are used while the terms, Lairembi, Ebhendhou or Ema are used to reffer to a female deity. Lairembi is mostly used for the Umang Lais.


==Origin==
==Origin==

Revision as of 02:36, 18 April 2022

Template:About Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use Indian English Template:Infobox religious group Template:Contains Meitei text

Sanamahism (Template:Lang-mni) is a religion followed by the Meiteis, Kabuis, Zeliangrongs and other ethnic groups in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, Assam, Tripura and in other countries including Bangladesh and Myanmar[1][2][3]. Although the religion is polytheistic, Sanamahism or Sanamahi Laining translates to the religion of Sanamahi, one of the most important deities. Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Yaibirel Sidaba (also known as Saalailel Sidaba) and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. The importance of Sanamahi in the religion is also emphasized in the name itself which means Liquid Gold. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, Maru Loishang (also known as Pandit Loishang) that oversees the main religious activities and govern all affairs pertaining to the religion including conducts of priest and priestess[4]. The Maru Loishang also acts a court for religious disputes[4]. There are three main departments under the Pandit Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang and the Amaibi Loishang[5]. These departments have existed since the reign of King Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong of Manipur in 662 AD[5].

The Deiteis in Sanamhism can be classified into the main deities, ancestral deiteis called Apokpa, deiteis of Meitei clans (Yek Lai) or family (Saghei Lai) and regional deiteis called Lam Lai or Umang Lai. Worship of the Apokpa deities, the Yek Lais or the Saghei Lais are within a clan, families sharing the same surname. Regional deiteis are worshipped by the residents around the temple of the Umang Lais. The Umang Lais are often one of the main deiteis or an incarnation of the main deiteis. The worship of Umang Lais and the ritual that entails, reffered to as the Umang Lai Haraoba, is one of the main religious festivals in Sanamahism. There are similarities of the Umang Lais to the Nat deities of Myanmar[6].

All the deiteis are denoted by the universal term Lai which means god in Manipuri. When reffering to a male deity, the terms, Lainingthou, Ebhudhou or Epa are used while the terms, Lairembi, Ebhendhou or Ema are used to reffer 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 Kangleipak (old name of Manipur), starting from the king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, who ruled for more than a century, from 33–154 CE.

A recently built Sanamahi temple, Kangla Fort, Imphal East, Manipur.

Description

Sanamahism is a folk religion. It competes with and co-exists with either Vaishnavism – a tradition of Hinduism – among the Meitei people, Sunni Islam – among the Pangal people or Roman Catholic – among Meitei Christians. Opponents and rebel groups have sought to revive Sanamahism and related practices to emphasize the Manipuri 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.[7]Template:Sfn

Etymology

Sanamahism is also known as Sanamahi Laining, for it originated from the ancient kingdom of Kangleipak.Template:Sfn

Revival

Sanamahism has revived after a long dormant period of four centuries, and is currently practiced by 8% of Manipur'population according to the 2011 census.

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: HUNG KRUNG HUNG-KRUNG TA (8x) AH (2x) CHAT HUK (2x) HING HING HUK SU SA HING HING LIK SAL LIT HING MA PAN.[8]

Religious festivals

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Fairs and Festivals in Manipur

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Deities

Lists of deities in Sanamahism

Main deities

There are five main deities in Sanamahism:

Besides the five main deities, there are innumerable gods and goddesses, playing significant roles in the ancient pantheon, as well as in mythology. Examples include Panthoibi, Lainingthou Nongpok Ningthou, Lainingthou Koubru, Ibudhou Marjing, Thongalel, Wangbren, Eputhou Thangjing, Kounu, Nongshaba, Nongthang Leima, and Irai Leima.

Umang Lai

Further information: 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

Apokpa

There are also deities for each clan (Yek Salai) and family (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

References

  1. ↑ Gourchandra, M. (1982). Sanamahi Laihui. http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465618. 
  2. ↑ "The Revivalism of Sanamahism". http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism. 
  3. ↑ Nilabir, Sairem (2002). Laiyingthou Sanamahi Amasung Sanamahi Laining Hinggat Ihou. http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465239. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Maru (Pandit Loisang)" (in en). https://panditloisangmanipur.wordpress.com/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "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/. 
  6. ↑ "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. 
  7. ↑ Bertil Lintner (2015). Great Game East: India, China, and the Struggle for Asia's Most Volatile Frontier. Yale University Press. pp. 142–143. ISBN 978-0-300-19567-5. https://books.google.com/books?id=0fLOBwAAQBAJ. 
  8. ↑ Soibam Birajit (2014). Meeyamgi Kholao: Sprout of Consciousness. ARECOM. p. 103. https://books.google.com/books?id=PgHgCwAAQBAJ. 

Notes

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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