Meitei Umanglaiharaoba and the Order of Nature

Abstract

While the debate between climate change activists and sceptics continues, we sure know that nature has suffered exceedingly at the hands of human beings. It is a complicated issue, and we can only blame ourselves and our attitude towards nature for such a knee-jerk response to the crisis at hand. In this paper, the author explores nature as Manipuris/Meiteis perceive it in the traditional Manipuri faith system and the sub-system called umanglais and their appeasement festival called umanglaiharaoba. Nature in the Meitei faith system is inclusive of all living and non-living organisms. They consider nature as a source for their survival and subsistence. The author believes, quite contrary to popular belief that human beings have created chaos of culture after separating themselves from the order of nature. The dichotomy of doctrinal and non-doctrinal faith systems has also put up an extended argument regarding nature and its place in human discourses. It is to be seen how nature is placed in umanglaiharaoba and other associated rites and rituals and explore how much space and traction nature has lost over the centuries in the said activities and practices.