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Hinduism
The Hinduism in Manipur seems to have been adopted after the period of
animism. The geographical isolation of Manipur seems to be the major factor to
resist the immediate religious transformation from animism to any sect of
Hinduism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. There are different stages which marked the introduced of Hinduism into
Manipur. The kings of the period from 1467 to 1697 did not adopt Vaishnavism
formally. Charai Rongba became king in 1697 AD. and in 1704 AD. He embraced
Hinduism. This was the first step towards royal adoption of religion along with
their king. The king adopted a Hindu preacher as Guru. His descendants are
called Guru Aribom. A full locality of these descendant Brahmins now exist at
Brahampur. The second stage starts with the reign of Garib Niwaj (1709-1748
AD.). The
reign of Garib Niwaj reflects a series of transformations between the different
sects of Hinduism. The king took the sacred thread for three occasion. He
initiated into Vaishnavism in 1717 AD. by appointing Gopal Das as his Guru. The
king popularized Bhagvat in Manipur by taking the original manuscripts from
Assam. During 1728 AD. Santi Das, a Hindu preacher from Sylhet, arrived in
Manipur and started his mission to preach Ramanandi cult of Vaishnavism. Santi
Das initiated the king into his religion. This event marked the beginning of
Ramamandi cult in Manipur. After the death of Garib Niwaj when King Jai Singh or
Bhagya chandra became the king, he and his subjects accepted the Chaitanya
school of Vaishnavism and the king offered royal sanction to the sect.
The Manipuris are strict Hindus of the Vaishnav sect. They eat fish but will
not touch flesh and profess to be very particular in their social and religious
observances. The Hinduism of Manipur has a peculiar character showing the
indigenous character. The ritualistic performances are carried out by youngsters
especially women. A Vaishnavite Hindu man and a woman wear 'Tilak' mark on their
forehead which is pasted on the ridge of the nose just behind the nose tip,
upward, right to the centre of the forehead. Hindus show warmth of humanity in their hearts. There are no social or
religious restrictions to accept any one visiting their homes. Most of them have
deep knowledge of the Guru, Mahabharata, Ramayana and the Puranas. They will
show their temple, deities and other things without hesitation and queries. If
there is some festivals in the temple, they will invite others to witness the
festival. The Manipuri Hindus as a society have a plus point that there is no
caste rigidity. They have a curious customs by which a man of low-caste marrying
a high-caste woman can be adopted into her tribe.
Islam
Islam of Manipur is a religion of a section of people who are Mohammedans.
All Manipuri Muslims read Koran. The holy book is translated in Manipuri
language. The days solemn business of daily routine of Musalman's starts with
the Lord's prayer. The Manipur Muslims observe two festivals in a year. They are
Ramjan or Roza Id and Bakrid. Haj pilgrimage is performed by several Muslims in
Manipur.
The male Muslim wear white
pyjama. The shirt or kurta and kisti cap are
common costumes. Many of them also wear long buttoned up coat or 'Achkan'. They
prefer to keep beard. Their head-dress is also a round conical cap which they
wear specially on ceremonial occasions. Rich people wear a special type of sheep
skin cap which is imported from Kashmir or Afghanistan. A Meitei Muslim woman
wears a fanek which is wrapped round her waist down to the foot. The upper body
is covered with a blouse. The white chader type piece of cloth is worn as
headdress. Some women wear sari and blouse. Pardah system is observed by most
of the elderly women. In some families where a 'Pardanasheen' (a lady in veil)
woman goes out of her home she covers her entire figure from the crown of her
head down to her feet. Muslims are the best in poultry. They rear buffaloes and goats. The flesh of
an animal is slaughtered by performing 'Halal' (to slaughter animal from throat). They are hard workers. They grow a variety of paddy crops. Women also take
part in field work.
Christianity
Christianity in the hill tracts of north-eastern region spread as a result of
the British religious policy in the area. At present almost all of the hill
tribal population is Christian. All groups of Nagas and Kukis of Manipur have
adopted Christianity. The greatest contribution of Christianity has been the
spread of education. The Bible is available in Tankhul, Thado, Lushai and Meitei dialects. The
priests are mostly from South India. The churches are spread throughout the
hills in villagers. Most of these churches have schools attached to them. The tribal Christians celebrate Christmas with full enthusiasm. The tribals
are very fond of Indian and Western music. They have accepted English as a
medium of dealing but they write in their own dialect. They feel that the use of
their dialect is a cultural requirement. All tribals are clan conscious and he
will like to glorify the name of his clan and family. They do not adopt the
Christian names. A Christian locality is also a place of peace and harmony. Very few groups
clashes are allowed to occur.
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