DOCSLIB.ORG

Socio-Cultural and Socio-Economic Profile and Political Views of an Ethnic Community: a Case Study of Two Selected Villages in Moulvi Bazar District

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Socio-Cultural and Socio-Economic Profile and Political Views of an Ethnic Community: a Case Study of Two Selected Villages in Moulvi Bazar District SOCIO-CULTURAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE AND POLITICAL VIEWS OF AN ETHNIC COMMUNITY: A CASE STUDY OF TWO SELECTED VILLAGES IN MOULVI BAZAR DISTRICT Additional Secretary Md. Zahurul Alam, ndc “Hindu-Muslim relations in Manipur are a lodestar for the rest of India. The Muslims in the land came from outside, found wives among the local womenfolk and settled down. The Maharajas did not treat them as aliens”. - A. R. Constantine: Manipur: Maid of the Mountains As it is obvious from the quotation above, it can hardly be overemphasized that development and security depend on a better understanding of the dreams and desires of the mainstream population as well as those of the ethnic groups. Article- 28 (1) of our constitution declares, “The State shall not discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth”.1 Most recent publication of draft Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, entitled, Unlocking the Potential, while highlighting issues like Participation, Social Inclusion and Empowerment, has correctly pointed out these aspects under the heading Supporting Strategies. The section of PRSP that deals with Tribal People (TP) issues, expresses the view that in the social development inclusion framework the tribal people of the country are not effectively included in the development actors – whether as contributors or as beneficiaries. The sense of social, political or economic deprivation felt by the tribal people has been highlighted in the draft PRSP.2 The words Manipuri and Meitei are synonymous with each other, except for drawing a conceptual line of demarcation between the Manipuri Muslims and Manipuri Hindus/Sanamahis, in the discipline of Meiteiology. And there are differences for sure and so is for our present study too. The prevailing sense of mistrust, exclusion, discrimination, insecurity and deprivation etc. which are mentioned in the draft PRSP, can be addressed if a congenial atmosphere prevails. If studies are carried out sociologically, the wholeness of the real life situation of a community gets unfolded. The aim of this article is to explore socio-economic, socio cultural, socio- political along with brief historical aspects of the community. While dealing with their political views, attempts have been made to assess whether that poses any direct or indirect threat to our national security. 1. The Constitution of The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, The British Council Bangladesh, Dhaka, p.24 2. General Economic Division, Planning Commission, Unlocking the Potential: National Strategy for Accel- erated Poverty Reduction, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2004, Pp.136-137 Socio-cultural and Socio-economic Profile and Political Views of an Ethnic Community: A Case Study of Two Selected Villages in Moulvi Bazar District BRIEF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MEITEIS Manipuris of Bangladesh The Manipuris inhabit the Northeastern districts of Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Sunamgonj and Habigonj in Bangladesh. Historians believe the Manipuris are the original inhabitants of the Northeastern Indian State of Manipur. According to Tanubabu,3 “Manipuris are living in Bangladesh since 18th century in four districts of Sylhet Division, located in North-eastern part of Bangladesh.” Political incidents, such as war with Burma and annexation by the British colonists, etc. led the Manipuris to migrate to different places in India and Bangladesh. They came to this country mainly between 1819 and 1826 AD. Meiteis belong to Mongoloid race. Their language belongs to the Tibetan-Burmese branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It has similarity and historical connection with Kuki-Chin language family. A section of Manipuris of Bangladesh are Muslim, known as Pangan. Their language is similar to those of the Meiteis but physical features are not.4 Sheram5 maintains that during the reign of Maharaj Garibniwaz (1709-1748), some missionaries went to mainland Manipur from Sylhet. There is a view among researchers or meteiologists that these missionaries named the land ‘Manipur’. Meiteiologists’ View A sovereign state of the past and a northeastern state of present India, Manipur, was the homeland of the Manipuris of Bangladesh, one of the many ethnic communities of the country. ‘Manipur’ literally means the city or the land of gems. During the course of historical developments Manipur was known by different names, such as Mekhala or Mekhali, Kangleipak, Poireipak and Metrabak.6 The present name ‘Manipur’ was first officially introduced in the eighteenth century when Garibnewaz was reigning. 3. Tanubabu, Hamom, op cit. p.2 4. Source: http://www.weeklyholiday.net/2005/220705/cul.html Accessed on 26-03-2006 (10:04pm) 5. Sheram, A.K., “The Manipuri”, in Islam, Sirajul and Sajahan Miah (Eds), BANGLAPEDIA: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, Vol. 6, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 2003, p.409 6. Kabui, Gangmumei, History of Manipur: Precolonial Period, Volume-I, National Publishing House, New Delhi: 1991, p.1 222 Parratt and Parratt7 quote from Grimwood’s description of Manipur in his My Three Years in Manipur, as follows.8 In order to know the Ethnic Community under study from different angles it is essential to have some idea about the Mainland Manipuries, the Meiteis, including the genesis and evolution of the term Meitei. Kabui, at the very outset of his book on the history of Manipur, states in the preface “The History of Manipur is the story of the evolution of the culture and society of a remarkable people who built up their cradle of civilization in Manipur valley amidst the mountain ranges that divide India and Burma. The beautiful valley of Imphal9 which is situated on the trade and migration route between South Asia and South East Asia was a valley of cultural assimilation of the varied people who came to this hilly country in search of land, fortune, better living and glory.”10 He goes on to maintain which is given in footnote.11 It follows from above that history, culture, religion, ethnicity, tradition etc. have intermingled with one another in the process of making of the history of Manipuris. 7. Parratt, Jhon and Saroj N. Arambam Parratt, Queen Empress vs.Tikendrajit Prince of Manipur: The Anglo-Ma- nipuri Conflict of 1891, Har-Anand Publications & Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd, New Delhi: 1992, p.11 8. “A pretty place, more beautiful than many of the show places of the world; beautiful in its habitable parts, but more beautiful in those tracts covered with forest where the foot of man seldom treads.” 9. Present capital city of the North-East Indian State of Manipur. 10. Kabui, Gangmumei, op.cit. 1991, p. vii. 11. Manipur was a cradle of human civilization and creativity which has come under the influence of many cultures of many different ethnic groups who came at various times and contributed to the growth of the civilization in this hilly state in India’s north eastern frontier. Manipur being a gateway of India to South East Asia, was influenced by her geographic situation and ecology in the shaping of her history and cultural development. (ibid, p.1) 223 Socio-cultural and Socio-economic Profile and Political Views of an Ethnic Community: A Case Study of Two Selected Villages in Moulvi Bazar District SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF THE COMMUNITY During a previous study conducted by the researcher almost in the same study-area, it was found that Manipuris of Bangladesh do have poverty, in some cases ‘abject poverty’. Following is a brief discussion based on data collected from the study area, it is found that Meitei households have higher incomes, on average, compared to Muslim households. Percentage of Manipuri Muslims and Meitei in the study area is 66.67% and 33.33% respectively. Manipuri Muslims have larger family size compared to Meiteis—97% of Muslim households have family size of 4 or more, as compared to 85% of Meitei households. Distribution of the Respondents by Family Size and Religion Table-1 Family Muslim Hindu / Sanamahi Total Size (f) (%) (f) (%) (f) (%) 1-3 1 2.5 3 15 4 6.67 4-6 25 62.5 14 70 39 65 6+ 14 35 3 15 17 28.33 Total 40 100 20 100 60 100 Meitei households have higher incomes, on average, compared to Muslim households—60 percent of Meitei families have annual income above Tk 40,000, compared to 40 percent of Muslim families. Distribution of the Respondents by Annual Family Income (Taka) and Religion Table-2 Income Group Muslim Hindu / Sanamahi Total (in Taka) (f) (%) (f) (%) (f) (%) 1-20000 6 15 1 5 7 11.67 20001-40000 18 45 7 35 25 41.67 40001-60000 7 17.5 4 20 11 18.33 60001-80000 2 5 2 10 4 6.67 80000+ 7 17.5 6 30 13 21.67 Total 40 100 20 100 60 100 224 Distribution of the Respondents by Number of Children and Religion Table-3 Number of Muslim Hindu / Sanamahi Total Children (f) (%) (f) (%) (f) (%) Still Single 1 2.5 1 5 2 3.33 0-2 14 35 8 40 22 36.67 3-4 17 42 7 35 24 40 4+8204201220 Total 40 100 20 100 60 100 The above Table-03 shows that Manipuri Muslims tend to have more children—62% of Muslim families have 3 children or more, as compared to 55% of Meitei families; whereas the following Table-4 shows that Meitei households have higher incomes, on average, compared to Muslim households—60 percent of Meitei families have annual income above Tk 40,000, compared to 40 percent of Muslim families. Distribution of the Respondents by Annual Family Income (Taka) and Religion Table-4 Income Group Muslim Hindu / Sanamahi Total (in Taka) (f) (%) (f) (%) (f) (%) 1-20000 6 15 1 5 7 11.67 20001-40000
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Socio Economic Background of the Victim Widows (A Case Study of Hiv/Aids & Conflict Victim Widows in Imphal West District of Manipur)
    International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development www.allsubjectjournal.com Online ISSN: 2349-4182, Print ISSN: 2349-5979 Received: 12-05-2021, Accepted: 27-05-2021, Published: 11-06-2021 Volume 8; Issue 6; 2021; Page No. 27-34 Socio economic background of the victim widows (A case study of hiv/aids & conflict victim widows in Imphal West District of Manipur) Oinam Shantibala Devi Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Moreh College, Moreh, Manipur, India Abstract The present study focus on socio-economic background of the respondent-windows is crucial to understand the multiple factors that impact them as they have been victims of conflict and HIV/AIDS. Their socio-economic background determines how an individual looks at widows and how they are vulnerable to their subjugation in the society. Hence, the present chapter is aimed to portray the socio-economic background of the respondents, which is being analysed in term of age-structure, caste groups, religion, educational levels, occupations, income, family types, house types, ownership of house, household items, landholding size, headships of the family, decision makers in the widows’ families, age at the time of marriage, types of marriage, number of children in the widow’s family, sources of financial support, saving status among the widows. Methodology: The present study analyses the responses of 300 victim-widows, comprising 78 conflict- and 222 HIV/AIDS- victim widows drown from the Imphal West district of Manipur. The discussion is taken up hereunder. Keywords: socio-economic, victim widows, Hiv/Aids, conflict etc Introduction and society. Widows and their children live in the state of Objectives of the study acute insecurity, deprivation and violence.
    [Show full text]
  • Paper: Geoc-201(Social and Cultural Geography) Topics: Major Religious Group: World and India; Nature of Agricultural and Urban - Industrial Society
    SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY SEMESTER: UG 2nd (H) PAPER: GEOC-201(SOCIAL AND CULTURAL GEOGRAPHY) TOPICS: MAJOR RELIGIOUS GROUP: WORLD AND INDIA; NATURE OF AGRICULTURAL AND URBAN - INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY MAJOR RELIGIOUS GROUPS OF INDIA Religion in India is characterised by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. India is officially a secular state and has no state religion. The Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of four of the world's major religions; namely Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. According to the 2011 census, 79.8% of the population of India practices Hinduism, 14.2% adheres to Islam, 2.3% adheres to Christianity, 1.7% adheres to Sikhism, and 0.7% adheres to Buddhism. Zoroastrianism, Sanamahism and Judaism also have an ancient history in India, and each has several thousands of Indian adherents. Throughout India's history, religion has been an important part of the country's culture. Religious diversity and religious tolerance are both established in the country by the law and custom; the Constitution of India has declared the right to freedom of religion to be a fundamental right. Today, India is home to around 94% of the global population of Hindus. Most Hindu shrines and temples are located in India, as are the birthplaces of most Hindu saints. Prayagraj (formerly known as Allahabad) hosts the world's largest religious pilgrimage, Prayag Kumbh Mela, where Hindus from across the world come together to bath in the confluence of three sacred rivers of India: the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. The Indian diaspora in the West has popularized many aspects of Hindu philosophy such as yoga, meditation, Ayurvedic medicine, divination, karma, and reincarnation.The influence of Indian religions has been significant all over the world.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Perceptions of the Meitei in Manipur
    IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 22, Issue 12, Ver. I (December. 2017) PP 01-06 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org Persons with Disabilities: Social Perceptions of the Meitei in Manipur Anoubam Laxmi Devi* & Prof.MC Arun** *Research Scholar **Professor Department of Anthropology, Manipur University Abstract: The concept of disability and how a society will respond to it depends on the beliefs and perceptions of the society. Such beliefs and perception are shaped by society‟s cultural values and norms. Attempt has been done to highlight the people‟s perceptions and attitude held among the Meitei‟s towards Persons with Disability (PWD). Data were collected by using both quantitative and qualitative method. It has been found that perceptions regarding disability were deeply rooted in the mind of the Meitei people that still in this modern and scientific age people strongly holds the false perception regarding the causes of disability which has been linked to the old traditional cultural beliefs. It is also found that religion and caste status have favourable attitude towards PWD despite the fact that religions followed by the Meitei represent disability negatively. Keywords: culture, disability, Meitei, perception, religion. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- Date of Submission: 11-11-2017 Date of acceptance: 05-12-2017 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------- I. INTRODUCTION „Disability‟ is a burning issue in the whole world. Though, it is a natural part of the human experience which can be due to illness, injury, genetic or aging. It can affect anyone at any time regardless of age, gender, culture, ethnicity, or social class (Baffoe, M., 2013).
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter-3 Socio-Economic Background of the Respondents
    Chapter-3 Socio-Economic Background of the Respondents The focus on socio-economic background is crucial to understand the multiple factors that impact on women’s reproductive health behaviour and preferences for health care. The educational qualification together and economic background determines how an individual looks at health and how his/her health behaviour will be. Hence the present chapter is aimed to portray the socio-economic background of the respondents, which is here measured in term of their age-group, marital status, religion, type of family, number of family members, language known, educational qualification of the respondents and the father/spouse of the respondents, occupation of the respondents and the father/spouse of the respondents, type of house, household consumption pattern, cultivated land, quantity of land, type of land ownership, monthly household income. The study is focused on 300 respondents in two settings out of which half of the respondents (150) are from the rural setting i.e. Heinoubok village and other half of the respondents are from the urban setting i.e. Nagamapal . Age group The age of the respondents are categorized into three age groups viz- 1) 16-25 years, 2) 26-35 years, and 3) 36-45 years. Equal numbers of respondents (33.3 percent) are taken from all the three age groups in both the settings. Out of the 300 respondents half of the respondents are Meitei married women (150) while remaining half of the respondents (150) are unmarried Meitei women. Religion Religion tends to be an important characteristic as it is often knotted with customs and tradition.
    [Show full text]
  • Religion Distinctiveness*
    RAI data Religion distinctiveness* Country profiles *This document provides data production information for the RAI- Rokkan dataset. Last edited on October 7, 2020 Compiled by Gary Marks with research assistance by Noah Dasanaike Liesbet Hooghe and Gary Marks (2016). Community, Scale and Regional Governance: A Postfunctionalist Theory of Governance, Vol. II. Oxford: OUP. Sarah Shair-Rosenfield, Arjan H. Schakel, Sara Niedzwiecki, Gary Marks, Liesbet Hooghe, Sandra Chapman-Osterkatz (2021). “Language difference and Regional Authority.” Regional and Federal Studies, Vol. 31. DOI: 10.1080/13597566.2020.1831476 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5 Albania ........................................................................................................................... 6 Argentina ....................................................................................................................... 9 Australia ...................................................................................................................... 12 Austria .......................................................................................................................... 14 Bahamas ....................................................................................................................... 16 Bangladesh ................................................................................................................... 17 Barbados .....................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Puya and the Modern Science
    Discovery of Kangleipak (40) By Wangkhemcha Chingtamlen The Puya – Wakoklon Heelel Thilel Salai Ama-ilon Pukok and Modern Science (Series 2) In the previous article, Discovery of Kangleipak(39), esteemed readers read about the Big Bang theory, extraterrestrial Origin of Life theory in the above mentioned puya vis-à-vis modern science The above is the photo of an of the west. animal which is called ‘yong’(a monkey) in the Kanglei Meetei dialect, a sub-human being. This is Now, the humble writer will attempt to invite the attention of the the living being Sanamahi enlightened readers about the theory of the semen and sperm in Lainingthou created, just before creating a human being, which the male persons as found in the above mentioned puya, the was rejected by Lainingthou scripture of the ancient Meetei race of Kangleipak. Salailel Sitapa to be a human being. As Sanamahi Lainingthou was unable to create a human being, Laningthou Salailel Sitapa, Sperm(Spermatozoon) in the Ancient Scripture of The Universal God Father advised Kangleipak Sanamahi Lainingthou to create a human being taking His Image as the Model. In this way, Sanamahi Britannica Encyclopedia says “In mammals, sperm are produced Lainingthou created human beings on the Earth taking the image of in the testes and travel through the REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM. the Universal God Father as the At FERTILIZATION, one sperm of the roughly 300 million in an Model. average ejaculation fertilizes an Egg (see Ovary) to produce an offspring… A FLAGELLUM propels the sperm, which may live in a woman’s reproductive tract for two to three days after sexual intercourse, to the egg.” The “egg” here means the Ovum produced by the woman partner in the sexual intercourse.
    [Show full text]
  • Visual Arts Forms and Expectation in Traditional Meetei/Meitei Religion
    INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH CULTURE SOCIETY ISSN: 2456-6683 Volume - 5, Issue - 8, Aug - 2021 Monthly Peer-Reviewed, Refereed, Indexed Journal Scientific Journal Impact Factor: 5.743 Received on : 03/08/2021 Accepted on : 16/08/2021 Publication Date: 31/08/2021 Visual Arts forms and Expectation in Traditional Meetei/Meitei Religion 1 Dr. M. Irikhomba Meetei, 2 Dr. S. Priyokumar Meitei 1 Assistant Professor, Dept. of Fine Arts, Manipur University, Canchipur 2 Guest Faculty, Dept. of Anthropology, Manipur University,Canchipur Email – 1 [email protected] , 2 [email protected] Abstract: Visual Arts is a medium of communication. It is practiced since from the early period of time. Visual arts documented the past history of human civilization and it also takes the major role for making the complete society. It was also used as a tool for dispersing religious movement within the society. Here, we can remind different religious phases of Meetei’s/Meitei’s. First the pre-Hindu or pre-Vaishnavite religion, second the Hindu or Vaishnavite religion movement and third phase revivalist movement of traditional Meetei/Meitei religion. In these three phases visual art has used for moving ahead different aesthetic meaning of their different religious activities. Archives and excavation reveal the importance of art forms in the socio-religious lives of a group of people. Academically Visual Arts we mainly referred to Painting, Sculpture, Print making and Applied Art. Beyond these, other medium such as installation is also implicated in the present visual arts trend. This type of art form i.e. installation is still practicing since from the time immemorial.
    [Show full text]
  • A History of Kakching with Special Reference to Khamlangba
    Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886 A History of Kakching with special reference to Khamlangba By Kshetrimayum Kishan Singh Student of M.A History Department of Arts and Languages Lovely Professional University Under the guidance of Dr. Kulnaz Kaur Judge Department of Arts and Languages Lovely Professional University Abstract The story of Khamlangba is based on both the oral and written sources which are primary sources. He is the one of the major God of Manipur and has been told either by oral or written books but no one can fix the life span of Khamlangba. He was the leader of Kakching community who was committed his life to his occupation as the iron producer. He made many settlements when he searched for the raw materials. Khamlangba became the ancestral God which is still devoting in Kakching community as a major God and few places in Manipur. Different manifestations of Khamlangba in different places have told in this research. Keywords: Khamlangba, Kakching community, Kangleipak Methodology The historical fields of this particular area of study has been analysed and questionnaires had been conducted to different elderly people of the Kakching community. They gave the good oral sources as per them and many books had been analysed to write this article. These methods were conducted after the objective of the article was framed. But after the use of these methods, the process has reframed to continue because there were many new ideas that emerged while conducting the said methods. Volume 9, Issue 5, 2019 Page No: 145 Suraj Punj Journal For Multidisciplinary Research ISSN NO: 2394-2886 Introduction Kakching is a small town located in south eastern part of Manipur and 45 km away from the capital Imphal.
    [Show full text]
  • Chingtham Ranjeet Khuman
    Name : CHINGTHAM RANJEET KHUMAN Father’s Name : CHINGTHAM BINOD KHUMAN Date of Birth : 01-01-1966 (1st January 1966) Nationality : INDIAN Civil Status : MARRIED Profession : GURU/ARTISTE Home Address : HAOBAM MARAK IROM LEIKAI, P.O.-IMPHAL, P.S. - SINGJAMEI, PIN-795001, MANIPUR, INDIA. Cell phone No. : 091-9856115299 / 9402402562 / 7005621131 E-mail : [email protected] Educational Qualification : B.Sc. (Bachelor in Science) Qualification in the field : DEGREE COURSE OF HULA SINDAMSANG, IMPHAL, in Traditional Manipuri Martial Art, since 1982 under the guidance of OjhaSinamDevabrata, founder principal (SNA Awardee), Padamasree N. Kelchandra Singh, Prsident HULA Sindamsang and many eminemt Gurus Shri P. Ibomcha Singh, Shr P. Manikchand Singh, Shri Kh. Manamohan Singh, Shri BirjitNgangom, Shri AngomMera Singh and Achom Mani Singh (MSKA Awardee). PRESENT PROFESSIONAL STATUS : Sl. No. WORKING AS GURU / DIRECTOR Working as Thang-Ta Guru/Director of KANGLEI SHAKTAM LANGBA 1 KANGLUP,Imphal. Presently working as Guest Faculty of Theatre Dept. at Manipur University of Culture, 2 Govt. of Manipur. Expert committee member of Thang – Ta for Ministry of Culture and CCRT, Govt. of 3 India. Programme Committee Member of Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata, Govt. of 4 India, since 2019 to till date. 5 Casual Guru of Thang-Ta at the JNMDA, Imphal from August 2005 to April 2006. 6 Senior Instructor Thang-Ta at the HULA SINDAMSANG,Imphal from 1988 to 2005. PROFESSIONAL DEDICATION : With a dedication and devotion in the art, teach the younger generation without any fees in the Institute for the last 20 (Twenty) years to till date. AWARD & HOUNOURED : Sl. No. NATIONAL / STATE AUTHORITY National Award 2012 in the field of Thang-Ta Irawot Memorial Charitable 1 Trust, Manipur Manipur State Kala Akademi Award in the field of Manipur State Kala Akademi, 2 Thang-Ta for the year 2010 Govt.
    [Show full text]
  • Review of Research
    Review Of ReseaRch impact factOR : 5.7631(Uif) UGc appROved JOURnal nO. 48514 issn: 2249-894X vOlUme - 8 | issUe - 6 | maRch - 2019 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ POPULATION TRENDS OF MAJOR RELIGIOUS GROUPS IN INDIA Dr. Laxmi Narayan Saha Asst. Prof., Department of Geography, Panihati Mahavidyalaya, Sodepur, Kolkata. ABSTRACT : Religion implies a solid confidence in an otherworldly power or powers that control human fate. This is the source of pride and a means of identification with a distinct culture. But, profound identification with one religion can lead supporters into conflicts with followers of other religions. Religion has played an important role in Indian society from the very beginning. India is a multi- religious society in which Hindus are majority followed by Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains. Religion in India has never been static. Today it has made inroads into the arenas of politics and economic life. The country has no official state religion, but religion plays a central role in Indian daily life through its temple ceremonies, festivals, pilgrimages, family religious traditions etc. Diversity and tolerance with reference to religions are both established in the country by the law and custom. The Constitution of India has declared the right to freedom of religion to be a fundamental right. Geographers distinguish two kinds of religions i.e. universalizing and ethnic. An ethnic religion contrasts from a universalizing religion in that it commonly has an increasingly grouped geographic circulation. The ethnic religion with the biggest number of adherents is Hinduism. Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion and more than 99 percent of its followers are lived in India.
    [Show full text]
  • Hindu Religious Literature and Cultural Transformation in Manipur
    ISSN 2664-8067 (Print) & ISSN 2706-5782 (Online) South Asian Research Journal of Arts, Language and Literature Abbreviated Key Title: South Asian Res J Art Lang Lit | Volume-3 | Issue-1 | Jan-Feb -2021 | DOI: 10.36346/sarjall.2021.v03i01.003 Review Article Hindu Religious Literature and Cultural Transformation in Manipur Dr. Ch. Sarajubala Devi* Associate professor, NERIE, University in Umiam, Meghalaya, India *Corresponding Author Dr. Ch. Sarajubala Devi Article History Received: 08.02.2021 Accepted: 15.02.2021 Published: 19.02.2021 Abstract: Hinduism which emerged in the 18th century is the dominant religion of the Meiteis in the state of Manipur. It was accepted as a state religion in 1714 AD during the reign of king Garibaniwaj. There was a systematic process of induction of the religion in the minds of the earlier Non Hindu people of the state. Brahmins from the neighbhouring states were deployed in the court for every possible rites and rituals performed in state. In almost all the possible localities a Brahmin was deployed with patronization either from the king or by the locality. These Brahmins and other Manipuri scholars compiled and translated various Hindu scriptures written in Sanskrit and in Bengali into Manipuri for easy access by the mass. It is during this period that Sanskrit, Bengali and Hindi elements were systematically incorporated in culture, religion, polity and language. As a result of this 18th century and early 19th century Manipuri literature has marked influence of the Sanskrit and Bengali literatures. A number of religious books was translated and adapted versions of many such literature emerged in this period.
    [Show full text]
  • Health Beliefs and Perception of Well-Being Among the Lois of Thanga in Manipur, India
    Research Journal of Recent Sciences _________________________________________________ ISSN 2277-2502 Vol. 1(4), 46-52, April (2012) Res.J.Recent Sci. Health Beliefs and Perception of Well-being among the Lois of Thanga in Manipur, India Pebam Nganthoiba Mangang School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai-400088, INDIA Available online at: www.isca.in (Received 3rd March 2012, revised 8th March 2012, accepted 10th March 2012) Abstract The concept of well-being and notion of good health varies between different societies. Health beliefs of people in a society are constructed on the basis of culture and tradition. The paper attempts to bring out the health beliefs and perceptions of good health and well-being among the Lois of Thanga Island of Loktak Lake, a fishing community of Manipur. Structured face-to- face interviews were conducted among 200 respondents. Majority of the respondents perform religious practices related with supernatural causes of illness irrespective of status of education, religion, standard of living index .The indigenous community, Lois of Thanga has its own understanding of health and well-being as they are bound by the cultural beliefs and tradition with respect to perception of good health and well being. To improve access to health services, policy makers and service providers should understand the health beliefs and practices of the community. Key word: Health belief, Lois, supernatural, well being, Manipur. Introduction their relationship with the unseen forces, which intervene in human affairs. If someone offends them, the mystical powers Community’s health beliefs play a role in determining the health punish the person and society by causing sickness, death or seeking behavior and successful treatment of illness thus other natural calamities.
    [Show full text]