Morning Session

On the conclusion of the inaugural session of the workshop, the first half of the working session of the workshop commenced with a paper presentation by Ng.Kerani, Pandit Achouba (Head Pandit) of the Sanakonung Pandit Loishang (scholars’ institution at the Royal Palace). Ng.Kerani spoke on ‘The Maibi institution in the context of the Royal Palace’. His paper featured the history of the Maibi institution beginning from the reign of the king, Meidingu Naothingkhong who reigned in 586 A.D. The main classification of the Maibi institution of that period were the Maiba Loishang, Pena Asheiba Loishang and the Maibi Loishang. He further elaborated that there are three categories of Maibis at the Maibi Loishang, namely, (i) Shanglen Maibi, (ii) Nongmai Maibi, and (iii) Phura Maibi. He also spoke at some length on the functions and the accepted rules to be observed by a Maibi in due course of the ritual performances and ritual worships.

The second paper of the morning session was presented by L.Ashokumar (Archivist, Manipur State Kala Akademi) who spoke on the ‘Origin and History of the Maibi Tradition’. In his paper, Ashokumar mentioned how the women took part in the processes of the creation of the Universe. The tradition of the Maibis had been prevailing since the beginning of mankind, he said. Nongthang Leima, Panthoibi, Khoimom Lairenbas were the pre-historical Maibis. Those women who attended in delivery cases were also known as Maibis. Men also took the role of Maibis by possessing occultism. However, in the earlier times, only women Maibis performed the ritual worships during the sacred Lai Haraoba ritualistic festival. The dance forms composed by Nongthang Leima – the first goddess Maibi – in human history were repossessed by the other goddesses. He also spoke on how the Maibis described the creation of man inside the mother’s womb and how the house was built by their performance text of Laibou jagoi (ritual dance). Maibis in the historical period had an important duty to exercise in their association with the kings of Manipur, where they performed ritual worships for the welfare of the king, the people and the land. The Maiba Loishang (institution of the Maiba – male shaman) was established during the reign of the king, Meidingu Khagemba who ruled in the 16th century A.D. At that time, ritual worships were performed by men. Later, the male Maibas came to be also known as Maibis. So long as the traditional pantheon exist, so will the culture of the Maibis, he concluded.

The third paper of the day was presented by Dr.N.Premchand (Director, EMMRC, Manipur University) who spoke on ‘Role of Maibis in Lai Haraoba and other Rituals’. In his paper, Dr. Premchand talked of how the Maibis possessed the supernatural powers in their communication with the divine beings to communicate to the mortals. During the Lai Haraoba ritualistic festival, the Maibis take the most important role; they dance and chant and the devotees follow them in ritual procession. The Maibis take a leading role in performing all ritual worships in the Meitei society. Apart of their religious duties, the Maibis took an authoritative role to advise the king on state affairs in the earlier times. Concluding his paper, Dr. Premchand commented that the system of matriarchal society was prevalent in the Meitei society.

Shri Aribam Syam Sharma, noted filmmaker, moderated the morning session.

[ Newsletter | List of Newsletter ]