Maiba

A tableau showing the motif of a Maiba, on the Republic Day of India in New Delhi

Meitei priests holding sacred umbrellas in Imphal

A Maiba or an Amaiba (literally, "priest"^[1]) is a male religious leader authorised to perform the sacred rites and rituals of Sanamahism (Meitei religion),^[1] especially as a mediatory agent between human beings and one or more deities. They have the authority or power to administer religious rites as well as sacrifices to gods. Their office or institution is called Maiba Loishang (Maiba Loisang), later renamed as Pandit Loisang, during Aryanisation of Meitei culture. They also served as healers, doctors,^[2] magicians,^[3] medicine men,^[4] physicians and shamans.^[1][5] They play important roles in the ancestor worship (apokpa khurumjaba) ceremony.^[6] Chief priest or chief among the maibas is called Maichou, a term formed with the amalgamation of two words ("maiba"- priest, "achouba"- big, chief, great).^[7] Since their position is not hereditary, they acquire their positions through talent and skills.^[3] The female counterpart of a Maiba is a Maibi.

Gallery

• 
  Maibas dancing to please God Thangjing at the Lai Haraoba festival in the Ibudhou Thangjing Temple in Moirang
• 
  Maibas playing Penas to please God Khamlangba
• 
  A tableau showing the motif of a Maiba, on the Republic Day of India in New Delhi

Other websites

• Jeyaseelan, L. (1996). Impact of the Missionary Movement in Manipur. Scholar Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7172-339-3.
• Humankind. Serials Publications. 2005.
• Basanta, Ningombam (2008). Modernisation, Challenge and Response: A Study of the Chakpa Community of Manipur. Akansha Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8370-152-5.
• Kabui, Gangmumei (2004). The History of the Zeliangrong Nagas: From Makhel to Rani Gaidinliu. Spectrum Publications. ISBN 978-81-87502-76-0.
• North East India History Association. Session (2003). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
• Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. p. 23. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
• Longkumer, Arkotong (2011). Reform, Identity and Narratives of Belonging: The Heraka Movement in Northeast India. A&C Black. p. 75. ISBN 978-1-4411-8734-5.

References

1. Longkumer, Arkotong (2011). Reform, Identity and Narratives of Belonging: The Heraka Movement in Northeast India. A&C Black. p. 75. ISBN 978-1-4411-8734-5.
2. Sarat Chandra Roy (Rai Bahadur (1933). Man in India. A.K. Bose.
3. Mahapatra, Mary D. (2001). Tribal Religion and Rituals: Accounts of Superstition, Sorcery and Spirits. Dominant Publishing. ISBN 978-81-87336-69-3.
4. Raha, Manis Kumar (1995). The People of the Himalayas: Bio-cultural and Ecological Aspects. Anthropological Survey of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Department of Culture, Government of India. ISBN 978-81-85579-30-6.
5. Jeyaseelan, L. (1996). Impact of the Missionary Movement in Manipur. Scholar Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7172-339-3.
6. Congress, Indian History (2004). Proceedings. Indian History Congress.
7. Surajit Sinha; Centre for Studies in Social Sciences (1987). Tribal Polities and State Systems in Pre-colonial Eastern and North Eastern India. Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta. ISBN 978-81-7074-014-8.