My Memories of Imphal From 1941 : Chapter 14 :: Download
Dr Mohendra Irengbam *
Lai and Lairembi (male & female diety) symbolic representation with brass masks. There is no English equivalent of the word ‘Lai’. The nearest is deity.
Part 14
Lai Harauba Celebration
Among the indigenous socio-cultural rituals of Meiteis, Lai Harauba is the most important event. It embodies the entire pre-literate Meitei culture. Its ritual texts are very complicated and are beyond the comprehension of Joe public. You have got to take it with a pinch of salt.
There are no written texts. They are passed on by word of mouth among the professional practitioners known as maibas (male priests), maibis (female priests) and Penakhongbas (male pena players). Pena is an ancient Manipuri musical instrument, a bit like a violin in its simplest form. The celebration was always followed by some sports and games like Mukna sanaba and Thang Jagoi, especially in the villages.
Lai Harauba is now a ritualistic pastime, rather than a deep demonstration of old Meitei faith. We humans are stubbornly attached to rituals, far more than to our beliefs. In years gone by, during the time of Meitei conversion to Hinduism, the Hindu missionaries realised that asking the Meiteis to abandon their popular Lai Harauba ritual, was not an effective way to convert them to Hinduism.
So, those proselytisers took the easier path: ‘co-opt – instead of condemn’. Meiteis were allowed to keep some part of their old religion of Sanamahism, while changing them to the new religion of Hinduism. As a result, Hindu Meiteis have been taking part in Lai Harauba as a sort of cultural event. Nothing spiritual.
The interminable daily rituals of prayers, hymns, dances, and oracles during the festival, are unintelligible to them. Nor do they arouse any divine piety in their hearts. Still, Lai Harauba has now become an important ancient festival for Meiteis, an embodiment of primordial Meitei culture relating to their ancient concept of the cosmos
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* Dr Mohendra Irengbam wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer can be contacted at irengbammsingh(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was webcasted on March 19 2023 .
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