Archive:Sanamahism
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| SANAMAHISM | |
|---|---|
| Total population | 235,000-250,000[1] |
| Regions with significant populations | Manipur, India |
| Holy Books | Puya / written in Meitei Mayek (Manipuri) |
| Place of Worship | Laishang / Umanglai (forest) /Home/Sanglen |
Sanamahism is the worship of Sanamahi, the 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 Meiteis, 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.
Revivalism
According to the last census, about eleven percent of Manipur belong to religions stated as 'other'. Most of this population can be assumed to represent followers of the Sanamahi religion. This represents a significant increase over the previous census. The revivalism of Sanamahism is recognized by the census records of the government 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.[2] Besides these, three hundred and sixty four deities with their consorts are the most important deities worshipped by the Meiteis. Priestesses known as maibis invoke Shiva.[3]
The majority of Hindu Meitei also practice Sanamahi in some form and the two religions have long existed in synchrony.
Festivals
Cheiraoba
Cheiraoba is the new year's day for Meitei Hindus and is observed on either the 13th or 14th of April every year.[4] During this occasion, Meitei houses are renovated and white washed to mark the new year's day.[5] The householders offer fresh vegetables and cook vegetarian food to offer to gods and goddesses. In the afternoon, young boys and girls climb a small hillock called "Cieiraocheeng" to worship Lord Shiva.[6]
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
The Sanamahi religion was threatened by mass baptism to Gaudiya Vaishnavism (a form of Hinduism) during the reign of King Pamheiba in the 18th century. King Pamheiba is claimed by some to have attempted to eliminate the Sanamahi religion. Under King Pamheiba the sacred writings of Sanamahi religion, the Puyas, were collected and burned and Sanamahi scholars were expelled to remote villages.[7] The day the puyas (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.
Later in the 19th century mass conversion of the Hill tribes to Christianity began.
References
- ↑ 2001 Census
- ↑ P. 4290 Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature By various
- ↑ P. 4290 Encyclopaedia 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
- Meeteis Surname
- The Revivalism of 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]