Sanamahism

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SANAMAHISM
Total population 1,648,000[1]
Regions with significant populations Manipur, North-East 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 East Asia. It originated in Manipur and is mainly practiced by the Meiteis, Kabui, Zeliangrong and other communities who inhabit Manipur, Assam, Tripura, U.P, Myanmar and Bangladesh, with small populations in the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. It is the cult of Sanamahi the Creator of the Meitei trinity, the Sidaba Mapu - the immortal trinity God extensively mentioned in ancient literature.

Contents

[edit] Present Day

The prevalence of Sanamahism in the region of Manipur has sharply increased from the previous census. The revivalism of the cult of Sanamahism is recognized by the census record of the Government of India due to the praiseworthy efforts of R.K. Birendro Singh, I.A.S. Understanding the attitude of the indigenous people of Manipur to the religion and concept of God is not possible without a proper understanding of Sanamahi religion.

[edit] 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.[?] It is a religion of antiquity and in its pure native form it is a part of the history of 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. 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.

[edit] Festival

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 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 (temple of gods in the reserved woods) in the villages.

[edit] Threats to Sanamahism

Sanamahi religion was threatened by mass baptism to Hinduism Known as Nongkhang Iruppa, during the reign of King Pamheiba in 1700s was debaptized on Wednesday, February 16, 1974 [?]. On April 23, 1992 the Maharaja of Manipur, Okendrajit Sana, declared "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 hereby give recognition as state religion".

The day the Puyas (Holy books written in Meetei script) were burned on that fateful day-night during the reign of King Pamheiba is observed and remembered every year to this day as Puya Mei Thaba Ningshing Thouram since 1978. Many conflicts came to exist in Manipur after Hinduism entered into the Valley through the hand or decision of Raja Pamheiba since 1700s. Those Hindu Meitei People never give up their Sanamahi worship even though they worship Hindu Gods since Hinduism came to the Sate Manipur.

[edit] Philosophy

Sanamahi belief and faith is based on the equality of mankind. This is clearly envisaged in the very word Meetei, which is literally the combination of two words mee (Image) tei (to guild). The practitioners of 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. So Sanamahism is not a tribal cult, it is a faith with universal attitude based on equality, free from caste and creed as opposed to Hinduism.

[edit] Followers

[edit] Revivalism

[edit] International Recognition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ethnologue.com

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. [1]

[edit] External links