Liyai villagers continue to nurture old faith
Source: The Sangai Express / Irungbam Prabinkumar

Imphal, April 26: Atheists may dismiss it as superstition, but to the villagers of Liyai in Senapati district existence of Raikaidei (two huge banyan trees) which stand in the north-west corner of the village are the 'soul of the village'.

Villagers of the neighbouring Saranamei also hold to the belief that the village would be in complete turmoil if the revered site of pre-Christian era, Raap-Piao is destroyed in wildfire.

The giant banyan trees revered by residents of Liyai village

Village secretary W Mataisou told The Sangai Express that the villagers of Liyai still observe collective mourning (genna) by cancelling their daily chores if any branch of Raikaidei snaps.

If anybody ignores the genna, his family would be in trouble, he added.

Narrating the history of the twin trees, Mataisou said the trees were already there when Liyai village was established by some migrants from the neighbouring village Saranamei around 1450-60 AD.

The migrants reposed their faith upon the Raikaidei to protect them from natural calamities.

In consonance with their request the two banyan trees also sought protection from unnatural destruction by the villagers, Mataisou added.

According to a village elder Kapiarow, Rai means soul in Poumai dialect, kai meaning horns and dei stands for tree.

The twin trees protect the village just like animals protect themselves by their horns from their aliens, Kapiarow narrated.

Another elder Weikho said that the two trees also represent the two major clans of about 13,525 strong population of the village.

There are also 63 sub-clans under these two major family lineage, he added.

Weikho remembered that the village had to face woes of losing lives and hardships caused by famines in the past when the branches of Raikaidei broke down.

Now, the reason for worry is one of the trees is most likely to cave in due to frequent land slide and soil erosion during monsoon season as the trees stand at the edge of a gorge thus leading to villagers groping in fear for the worst catastrophe as per belief of the village.

Village secretary W Maitaisou drew the attention of the State Government and interested NGOs to construct a retaining wall around the trees to protect from the soil erosion and landslide so as to ensure feeling of safety and overall well being of the village.

The place for indigenous God Raap-Piao in Saranamei village is also in pitiable condition.

Surrounded by bushes from all sides it is difficult to reach the place and there is possibility trhe site could be destroyed by wildfire anytime.

This first village of Poumai community wou ld be in complete turmoil if the place is accidentally destroyed by wildfire, a village elder conveyed.

The villagers therefore wished to develop the place in such a way that could be protected from destructive natural elements.

Meanwhile, Information Centre for Hill Areas Manipur (ICHAM) president N Rajendro informed The Sangai Express that the organisation would take the responsibility of developing these two places.

It is must to maintain the tradition and preserve the beliefs of the past by all communities to bring harmony in the State, Rajendro added.