Newscriticism: "Everyone must extend hands in restoring peace" (Imphal Free Press, November 21st, 2023)

[From Imphal Free Press' article.]

SUMMARY Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey emphasized the importance of unity in restoring peace in Manipur while inaugurating a 15-day workshop on Sanamahism, an ancient religion of the Meitei community. The workshop, organized by the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board and Manipur University of Culture, focused on the rites of passage within Sanamahism. The Governor highlighted the cultural significance of Sanamahism for the Meitei people and its role in preserving traditional values amidst modernization. She encouraged efforts to retain these ancient practices, crucial to the community's identity.

Sanamahism, deeply rooted in Meitei culture, was celebrated through various customary practices demonstrated at the workshop. The Governor was introduced to rituals like Lei Langba, Yupan Thaba, and Meiba Chingba, reinforcing the rich heritage of the Sanamahi religion. She expressed confidence that such workshops would educate the public and inspire younger generations to preserve this cultural heritage. The event also honored resource persons with certificates, underscoring the importance of preserving and promoting Sanamahism for future generations.

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NEWSCRITICISM

Sanamahism – the Meitei Traditional Religion – is a polytheistic (but not animistic, ancestral, henotheistic or Kathenotheistic) religion that is the staple worldview of the Meitei Civilization other than Christianity or Hinduism; in fact, when we look through the lens of the Six Pillars of Civilization, the Meitei Civilization is by essence, Sanamahist in nature, unlike what the West views them to be Christian, and the Hindus view them to belong to the Santana Dharma – or Hinduism. Nevertheless, before the reenchantment process of the Meitei of the 1940's, the Religion went into decline and threatened itself to disappear from the Dasein of the Meitei Civilization – thus the threat of religious extinction. But since then, with the revitalization programs underwent with the revival of the religion by its adherents, the growth of the religion amongst the Meitei had been adopted and as of today, half of the Meitei Population now follows the religion itself. In fact, Sanamahism and its revitalization movement has been called one of the most successful revitalization movements against the extinction of the Meitei Civilization's religious worldview.

The move to restore and begin the reenchantment of the Sanamahist Religion amongst the Meitei is a true sign to the attainment of peace – the peace of hope to restore what made us truly ourselves in the world and appreciate it's existence.

There was even plans to make it the state religion of the State of Manipur, something that was lost during a time where the Meitei Civilization has its own independent state: the Kingdom of Manipur, which adopted Sanamahism as a State Religion in 1704 AD – which they should do and must do! (Another recommendation for the Meitei: make a functional political interest group dedicating to not just protecting the rights and interests of the Sanamahi religion, and to assist in the rebirth of Sanamahism, but also to make the religion a co-state religion in Manipur – or make it outright a State Religion within the state).

The Sanamahists and its adherents are a tale of success in the reenchantment of thier preserved old religions, thier identities, thier existence. It is a sign of hope, a hope for rebirth and renewal for the common good of the Meitei People, Meitei Society, and of the Meitei Civilization. The example as illustrated in the article is a good step in reintroducing Sanamahism to the population, to make them go back into the fold, to defend them; to make them appreciate thier religion, its beliefs and worldviews – its identity and experience in existence, it should spread and go forth! It should do "vita nova" amongst its adherents and concerts for a reinvigoration of lost Meitei Ethics and Philosophy – the Immaterial, in which Religion is the organ for its interpretation, must lead to the rebirth of its morality and ethics of a society and civilization, which would be intsrumental in restoring the original Hypermaterial faculties of the Meitei Civilization.

I hope the process of reenchantment continue forever amongst them. Don't let the religion die!

Joshua Kyle T. Rovero

Estado Rovero

May 18th 2024