Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 09 2009:
To unfasten the oath that had been taken three centuries ago (in 1726) by various Manipuri chiefs and heads of clans to the effect of changing their religion that was forcibly administered by King Pamheiba and Shanti Das Gossain, a customary ritual known as 'Nongkhreng Ehanba' was performed today under the leadership of Manipur titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba at Irong along Lilong River so as to restore the indigenous faith of the land.
The event was administered by three Manipuri traditional scholars 'Maichous' � Hongnemsubam Laijingnganba, Wangkhem Achouba and Heikham Tamarjit.
The Maichous performed the rite by representing the seven clans of the Manipuri social lineage.
The participants of the ceremony have also offered tribute to their respective progenitors.
The King Leishemba Sanajaoba, while holding a piece of local plant known as 'Nongkhreng', immersed in the water seven times which was also done successively by the other participants by chanting words like "we will not be devastated again", "we will protect our religion", We will preserve our Faith", "Blessed be the King Leishemba Sanajaoba", so as to unwrap the oath that was taken long time ago.
The ceremony was organized by the Lainingthou Sanamahi Thougal Kanglup.
It may also be remembered that the first of such ceremony was held way back in 1974 on February 9 under the leadership of the then King Poireihanba (Okendrajit).
The event became significance in the backdrop of the indigenous faith of the people being converted to another exotic religion at a point of time in the history of Manipur.
Those who did not wanted to change their religion were killed then.
There was forceful conversion of the Faith.
That was in the year 1726 .
The ceremony was organized to restore the indigenous religion and to unfasten the oath that had been administered three centuries ago.