LSTB eyeing to set up institution of Sanamahi Laining
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 02 2022: Even though Meetei is a small community as compared to other major communities in the world, it has its own unique history, language, script, tradition, culture and religion that complete the identity of a community or a civilisation.

Multiple external influences put the indigenous religion, tradition and culture in the shadow for centuries.

However, the Meetei community never renounces the religion completely and continues to uphold the basic forms of the religion by worshiping Lain-ingthou Sanamahi and Ima Leimarel Sidabi in their respective homes, and today the indigenous religion is gradually reviving.

The significant changes among the people regarding the indigenous religion could be seen at the ongoing fortnight long workshop on 'Rite-de-passage of Sanamahism' which will discuss the rituals of Sanamahi religion from birth to death.

Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) and Manipur University of Culture (MUC) are jointly organising the workshop at Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple located at Haying Khongbal, Uphong Yumpham.

Around 235 Meetei individuals from different states and countries are participating in the workshop.

Different resource persons are delivering lectures on different topics of Sanamahi religion on daily basis and interacting with the participants as part of the general course.

In the optional course, classes are provided to the participants on professional lines for Lai Haraoba, Pena, Amai Piba, Arangpham, Wari Leeba and Khamnung Maiba among others.

One interesting facet of the workshop is a woman from Uripok Sorbon Thingel named L Homeshwari attending the class for Arangpham, which is considered as a profession for male members of the society.

She is the lone woman participant in the class.

Meanwhile, speaking to The People's Chronicle, MUC vice-chancellor professor Paonam Gunindro explained that Sanamahi religion has every aspect of any major religion in the world such as universal god, scriptures, mythical accounts and rite of passage (religious rituals for every key stage of life right from birth to death).

The workshop is being organised with the objective to educate the people about these rituals, he said and added that academicians and religious professionals are making equal contribution in this workshop.

Homeshwari, who is attending the Arangfam class, said that she is taking part at the workshop to understand the rites of passage of Sanamahi religion as a Meetei.

Very often those in the profession of Arangpham have good knowledge of such rites and social aspects of Sanamahi religion, which is why she chooses to attend the class, she added.

T Somorendro from Jiribam said that there were less than 100 followers of Sanamahi religion in Jiri about two decades ago.

Today, the number has crossed 500 as people are gradually becoming aware of the indigenous religion.

Many more, especially youth, are taking a keen interest and are ready to convert, he said, while expressing happiness over the growing popularity of the religion in Jiri.

Meetei Inat Thougal Lup was formed by followers of Sanamahi religion and he along with 13 others is attending the workshop on behalf of the Lup.

They are also attending optional classes for different professions so they could carry out any rituals related with Sanamahi religion back in Jiri, Somorendro said.

Lanchenba, a young participant from Moreh, said that professionals who used to conduct rituals of Sanamahi religion are becoming older and young people are hardly pursuing the profession.

He along with four others from Moreh are participating at the workshop to continue keep the professions alive for the sake of Meetei community and its indigenous religion, he said.

Renowned Shumang Leela artiste Sougrakpam Hemanta, who recently converted to Sanamahism, stressed the need for spreading the aesthetic philosophy of the religion to others.

He also expressed his desire for organising similar workshops once or twice a year.

Meanwhile, Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) functionaries told The People's Chronicle that they have been putting their efforts to promote Sanamahi religion.

The board is planning to set up an institution of Sanamahi Laining instead of just remaining as a place of worship.

The workshop is a first step towards this direction, the officials added.

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