Archive:Sanamahism
| 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 |
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 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. Besides these, three hundred and sixty four deities with their consorts are the most important deities worshipped by the Meiteis.
Festival of Sanamahism
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
Sanamahi is possibly the oldest religion practiced by the people of Manipur. Hindusim had co-existed in the land for centuries, but in the 16th century there was mass conversion of the valley dwelling Meities to Neo-vaishnavism and later Hindusim was declared the state religion. 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.[1] This event is known as Puya-Meithaba among Meiteis. later in the 19th century began the mass conversion of the Hill tribes to Christianity.
Philosophy of Sanamahism
Faith and Belieft in Sanamahism
Followers of Sanamahism
Revivalism of Sanamahism
International Recognisation of Sanamahism
References related to Sanamahism
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]