Archive:Sanamahism: Difference between revisions

SANAMAHISM
Total population	235,000 (2001)
Regions with significant populations	Manipur, India
Holy Books	Puya / written in Meetei Mayek (Manipuri)
Place of Worship	Laishang / Umanglai (forest) /Home/Sanglen

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Revision as of 04:23, 2 November 2008

Sanamahism is one of the oldest religions of South Asia. It originated in Manipur and is mainly practiced by the Meeteis/Meiteis, Kabui and Zeliangrong and few other communities who inhabit in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, U.P, Myanmar, Bangladesh, UK, USA and Canada etc. The study of Sanamahi religion may be termed as "SANAMAHISM" and the followers as SANAMAHISTS" it simply the cult of Sanamahi the creator of Meetei trinity, the Sidaba Mapu - the immortal one - the immortal trinity god which is in extensive use in ancient literature.

Present Day and Sanamahism

According to the last census about 11% of Manipur belong to religions stated as 'other'. Most of this population can be assumed to represent followers of the Sanamahi religion. This represnt a significant increase over the previous census. The revivalism or revolutionary cult Sanamahism is recognized by the census record of the Govt. of India due to the praise worthy efforts of Late.R.K. Birendro Singh, I.A.S.

Attitude of Indigenous people of Manipur to the religion and concept of God is not possible without the proper understanding of Sanamahi religion. Pakhangba Laining was also currently employed to signify revivalism.

Form of Worship

In assimilate features such as the worship of forces of nature like fire, water, mountain etc. ancestor worship (Apokpa), Lamlai, Yumlai, Ningthoulai and Umanglai. Religion of antiquity-In its pure native form it is as all as the History of Meetei/Meitei people.

There is reference to the worship of Sanamahi by King Kangba in the Hayi age. Manipur is a land of deities with Atiya Shidaba, also known as "Atiya Guru" meaning Para Shiva as the Supreme God.

Atiya Shidaba, Apanba and Asheeba are the three manifestations or incarnations of God as the creator, the preserver and the annihilator of this universe respectively. Pakhangba, Sannamahi and Nongpok Ningthou are the incarnations who play the role of the male deities of the Meiteis whereas Leimarel Shidabi and Panthoibi , the role of female deities.

Panthoibi is the Mother of the Universe and Nongpok Ningthou (Lord Shiva) is her mate.^[1] Besides these, three hundred and sixty four deities with their consorts are the most important deities worshipped by the Meiteis.

Maibis are priestessess and they invoke the Guru Lord Shiva.^[2]

Festival of Sanamahism

Cheiraoba

Cheiraoba is the new year's day for Meitei Hindus and is observed on either the 13th or 14th of April every year.^[3] During this occasion, Meitei houses are renovated and white washed to mark the new year's day.^[4] The householders offer fresh vegetables and cook vegetarian food to offer to gods and goddesses. In the afternoon, young boys and girls clib a small hillock called "Cieiraocheeng" to worship Lord Shiva.^[5]

Lai Haraoba

Lai Haraoba is the festival of the recollection of the creation stories played by all deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of the plants and animals through the will of Atiya Shidaba. Sannamahi and Leimarel are worshiped in every house of the Meiteis and other mentioned Indigenous community of Manipur and nearby states including Mayanmar. The other gods and the three hundred and sixty four deities are worshipped in the "Umanglai Laisangs" (temple of gods in the reserved woods with spacious grounds) in the villages.

Threats to Sanamahism

In the 18th under the King Meidingu Pamheiba, 1708-1747 AD, the sacred writings of Sanamahi religion, the Puyas were collected and burnt by Pamheiba and Sanamahi scholars were expelled to remote villages.^[6] This event is known as Puya-Meithaba among Meiteis. later in the 19th century began the mass conversion of the Hill tribes to Christianity.

Sohini Ray "2000-01" "The Body-Cult in Sanamahism: A Case of the Revival of an Indigenous Religion Among the Meiteis in Manipur" is an ethnographic study of the sacred myths about the human body among the Meiteis, a community in Northeast India, and on how these mythological beliefs play a pivotal role in a socio-religious revival movement now occurring in the community. Sohini Ray recently received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles. [1]

References

↑ P. 4290 Encyclpopaedia of Indian Literature By various
↑ P. 4290 Encyclpopaedia of Indian Literature By various
↑ P. 204 Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes By S.S. Shashi
↑ P. 204 Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes By S.S. Shashi
↑ P. 204 Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes By S.S. Shashi
↑ http://themanipurpage.tripod.com/history/puwarimeitei.html

External links

[2]
[3] Revivalism of Sanamahism

[1] P. 4290 Encyclpopaedia of Indian Literature By various

[2] P. 4290 Encyclpopaedia of Indian Literature By various

[3] P. 204 Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes By S.S. Shashi

[4] P. 204 Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes By S.S. Shashi

[5] P. 204 Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes By S.S. Shashi

[6] ttp://themanipurpage.tripod.com/history/puwarimeitei.html

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Refimprove|date=September 2008}}
+{{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}}
-{{Cleanup|date=April 2008}}
 {|class="infobox bordered" style="width:22em; font-size:95%; text-align:left;" cellpadding="3"
 ! colspan="2" style="text-align:center; font-size:larger; background-color:#b08261; color:#fee8ab;" | SANAMAHISM
@@ Line 9: / Line 8: @@
 |-
 ! style="background-color:#fee8ab;" | Total population
-| style="background-color:#fff6d9;" | 235-250,000<ref>[http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm]</ref>
+| style="background-color:#fff6d9;" | 235,000 (2001)
 |-
 ! style="background-color:#fee8ab;" | Regions with significant populations
-| style="background-color:#fff6d9;" | [[Manipur]], [[North-East India]]
+| style="background-color:#fff6d9;" | [[Manipur]], [[India]]
 |-
 ! style="background-color:#fee8ab;" | Holy  Books
-| style="background-color:#fff6d9;" | [[Meitei language|Puya / written in Meitei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
+| style="background-color:#fff6d9;" | [[Meitei language|Puya / written in Meetei Mayek]] (Manipuri)
 |-
 ! style="background-color:#fee8ab;" | Place of Worship
@@ Line 27: / Line 26: @@
 |}<noinclude>
-'''Sanamahism''' is the worship of [[Sanamahi]], the [[Creator deity|Creator]] aspect of ''Sidaba Mapu'', the [[trinity]] God of the [[Meiteis]]. Sanamahism is one of the oldest religions of [[South Asia]]. It originated in [[Manipur]] India and is mainly practiced by the [[Meitei]]s, [[Kabui]], [[Zeliangrong]] and other communities who inhabit Manipur, [[Assam]], [[Tripura]], [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Myanmar]] and [[Bangladesh]], with small populations in the [[United Kingdom]], [[United States]], and [[Canada]].
+'''Sanamahism''' is one of the oldest religions of [[South Asia]]. It originated in [[Manipur]] and is mainly practiced by the Meeteis/Meiteis, Kabui and Zeliangrong and few other communities who inhabit in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, U.P, Myanmar, Bangladesh, UK, USA and Canada etc.
+The study of Sanamahi religion may be termed as "SANAMAHISM" and the followers as SANAMAHISTS" it simply the cult of Sanamahi the creator of Meetei trinity, the Sidaba Mapu - the immortal one - the immortal trinity god which is in extensive use in ancient literature.
+== Present Day and Sanamahism ==
+According to the last census about 11% of Manipur belong to religions stated as 'other'. Most of this population can be assumed to represent followers of the Sanamahi religion. This represnt a significant increase over the previous census. The revivalism or revolutionary cult '''Sanamahism''' is recognized by the census record of the Govt. of India due to the praise worthy efforts of Late.R.K. Birendro Singh, I.A.S.
+Attitude of Indigenous people of [[Manipur]] to the religion and concept of God is not possible without the proper understanding of Sanamahi religion. Pakhangba Laining was also currently employed to signify revivalism.
 == Form of Worship ==
-Sanamahi incorporates features such as the worship of forces of nature like fire, water, mountain etc. ancestor worship (Apokpa), Lamlai, Yumlai, Ningthoulai and Umanglai.[?] It is a religion of antiquity and in its pure native form it is a part of the history of the Meitei people. There is reference to the worship of Sanamahi by [[King Kangba]] in the [[Hayi]] age.
+In assimilate features such as the worship of forces of nature like fire, water, mountain etc. ancestor worship (Apokpa), Lamlai, Yumlai, Ningthoulai and Umanglai.
+Religion of antiquity-In its pure native form it is as all as the History of Meetei/Meitei people.
-Manipur is a land of deities with ''Atiya Shidaba'' as the Supreme God. ''Atiya Shidaba'', ''Apanba'' and ''Asheeba'' are the three manifestations or incarnations of God as the Creator, the Preserver and the Annihilator of this universe. ''Pakhangba'', ''Sannamahi'' and ''Nongpok Ningthou'' are the incarnations who play the role of the male deities, whereas ''Leimarel Shidabi'' and ''[[Panthoibi]]'' are the female deities. Besides these, three hundred and sixty-four deities with their consorts are the most important deities worshiped by the Meiteis.
+There is reference to the worship of Sanamahi by King Kangba in the Hayi age. Manipur is a land of deities with Atiya Shidaba, also known as "Atiya Guru" meaning [[Shiva|Para Shiva]] as the Supreme God.
-== Festival ==
+Atiya Shidaba, Apanba and Asheeba are the three manifestations or incarnations of God as the creator, the preserver and the annihilator of this universe respectively.
-[[Lai Haraoba]] is the festival of the recollection of the creation stories played by all deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of the plants and animals through the will of ''Atiya Shidaba''. Sanamahi and [[Leimarel]] are worshiped in every house of the Meiteis and other mentioned indigenous communities of Manipur and nearby states including Myanmar. The other gods and the three hundred and sixty four deities are worshiped in the ''Umanglai Laisangs'' (temples in the reserved woods) in the villages.
+Pakhangba, Sannamahi and Nongpok Ningthou are the incarnations who play the role of the male deities of the Meiteis whereas Leimarel Shidabi and [[Panthoibi]] , the role of female deities.
-== Threats to Sanamahism ==
+Panthoibi is the Mother of the Universe and Nongpok Ningthou ([[Shiva|Lord Shiva]]) is her mate.<ref> P. 4290 ''Encyclpopaedia of Indian Literature'' By various </ref>
-Sanamahi religion was threatened by mass baptism to [[Gaudiya Vaishnavism]] (a form of Hinduism) during the reign of [[King Pamheiba]] in the 18th century. The day the ''[[puya]]s'' ([[scripture|holy books]] written in Meitei script) were burned during the reign of King Pamheiba has been observed since 1978 as ''Puya Mei Thaba Ningshing Thouram''. King Pamheiba is claimed by some to have attempted to eliminate the Sanamahi religion. The majority of Hindu meitei also practice Sanamahi in some form. The two religions have long existed in synchrony.
+Besides these, three hundred and sixty four deities with their consorts are the most important deities worshipped by the Meiteis.
-During British rule, the Hill tribes saw mass conversion to Christianity through the work of Baptist missionaries.
+Maibis are priestessess and they invoke the Guru [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]].<ref> P. 4290 ''Encyclpopaedia of Indian Literature'' By various </ref>
-On [[April 23]] [[1992]] the ex-[[Maharaja]] of Manipur, Okendrajit Sana, despite having no formal authority, allegedly declared that the Royal customary law of Manipur recognised Sanamahi as state religion. Manipur, a state within the Indian union, does not have a ruling Maharaja, only the descendants of the former Kingdom.
+== Festival of Sanamahism ==
+===Cheiraoba===
+Cheiraoba is the new year's day for Meitei Hindus and is observed on either the 13th or 14th of April every year.<ref> P. 204 ''Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes'' By S.S. Shashi </ref> During this occasion, Meitei houses are renovated and white washed to mark the new year's day.<ref> P. 204 ''Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes'' By S.S. Shashi </ref> The householders offer fresh vegetables and cook vegetarian food to offer to gods and goddesses. In the afternoon, young boys and girls clib a small hillock called "Cieiraocheeng" to worship [[Shiva|Lord Shiva]].<ref> P. 204 ''Encyclopaedia of Indian Tribes'' By S.S. Shashi </ref>
-== Philosophy ==
+===[[Lai Haraoba]]===
-Sanamahi belief and faith is based on the equality of mankind. The practitioners of the Sanamahi faith believe that man is made in the image of the Creator, who is often referred to as the ''Taibang Mapu Shidaba'' - the immortal lord of the universe.
+[[Lai Haraoba]] is the festival of the recollection of the creation stories played by all deities with the first origin of this universe and evolution of the plants and animals through the will of Atiya Shidaba.
+[[Sannamahi]]  and [[Leimarel]]  are worshiped in every house of the Meiteis and other mentioned Indigenous community of Manipur and nearby states including Mayanmar.
+The other gods and the three hundred and sixty four deities are worshipped in the "Umanglai Laisangs" (temple of gods in the reserved woods with spacious grounds) in the villages.
-== Followers ==
+== Threats to Sanamahism ==
-According to the 2001 census of India some 235,000 people in Manipur were recorded as "other" in the religious category. It can be assumed that the vast majority of these people are followers of Sanamahism, because most other major religions are separately categorised.<ref>http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm</ref>
+In the 18th under the King Meidingu Pamheiba, 1708-1747 AD, the sacred writings of Sanamahi religion, the Puyas were collected and burnt by Pamheiba and Sanamahi scholars were expelled to remote villages.<ref>http://themanipurpage.tripod.com/history/puwarimeitei.html</ref> This event is  known as Puya-Meithaba among Meiteis. later in the 19th century began the mass conversion of the Hill tribes to Christianity.
-==See also==
+Sohini Ray  "2000-01" "The Body-Cult in Sanamahism: A Case of the Revival of an Indigenous Religion Among the Meiteis in Manipur" is an ethnographic study of the sacred myths about the human body among the Meiteis, a community in Northeast India, and on how these mythological beliefs play a pivotal role in a socio-religious revival movement now occurring in the community.
-* [[Trimurti]]
+Sohini Ray recently received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles.  [http://www.hds.harvard.edu/cswr/people/past/N-R.html]
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+<references />
-* Sohini Ray  "2000-01" "The Body-Cult in Sanamahism: A Case of the Revival of an Indigenous Religion Among the Meiteis in Manipur" is an ethnographic study of the sacred myths about the human body among the Meiteis, commonly known as Manipuri, a community in South-East Asia, and on how these mythological beliefs play a pivotal role in a socio-religious revival movement now occurring in the community. Sohini Ray recently received her Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles.[http://www.hds.harvard.edu/cswr/people/past/N-R.html]
 ==External links==
-* [http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.Meeteis_Surname Meiteis Surname]
+*[http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.Meeteis_Surname]
-* [http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism Revival of Sanamahism]
+*[http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.The_Revivalism_of_Sanamahism] Revivalism of Sanamahism
+[[Category:Religious faiths, traditions, and movements]]
 [[Category:Religion in India]]
-[[Category:Religion in Manipur]]
+[[Category:Hindu denominations]]
-[[Category:Religious faiths, traditions, and movements]]
+[[Category:Tantra]]
+[[Category:Manipur]]

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