Indian Christianity

HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA : M. M. NINAN
MANIPUR
The State of Manipur in Northeast India is home to three main communities, Kukis, Nagas and Meiteis.
The Meitei people belong to the valley of Manipur, and Kukis and Nagas to the surrounding hills. Manipur
was formerly a princely state with a Meitei king whose influence prevailed in the plains. The Kukis are
one of the earliest settlers in India. Based on Pooyas, (the orally transmitted tradition) we know of two
Kuki Chiefs named Kuki Ahongba and Kuki Achouba, an of the first historically recorded king of the
Meithis - Nongba Lairen Pakhangba
Manipur Research Forum (http://www.manipurresearchforum.org/The%20Anal%20Naga.html)
gives the following information.
"Before the twentieth century, the Anals worshipped gods and goddesses. They also believed in a
supreme God who according to them was above gods and goddesses. They also worshiped trees and
stones. They thought that every mountain, river valley, etc. has god or goddesses. They attributed all the
natural phenomena like rain, thunder, wind, etc. to these gods and goddesses. They worshiped gods and
goddesses for appeasement and prosperity. During this period, there were many fests. Most of them are
lost, and a few of them that continue to exist are not conspicuous except Chavan Kumhrin festival.
In the past, the Anal folks brought part of their first produce of harvesting season to the village gathering
where the village elders headed by Kholpu (chief) and Thimpu (priest) sacrificed part of it to their
animistic gods and then ate the remaining with meat and wine. The way they celebrated their festivals
including Chavan Kumhrin was that they drink home-brewed wine heavily, and they sing and dance
throughout the night. Unfortunately the songs they sang are no more available to the new generations.
The festival was practiced every year so that they have a good harvest for good health and prosperity.
With the advent of Christianity, Chavan Kumhrin festival is celebrated in accordance to Christian beliefs
and practices."
These practices are remniscent of the semitic sacrifices. In fact there is a strong tradition which claims
that these tribes in both Mizoram and Manipur are the children of Israel of he tribe of Manasseh, one of
the lost tribes of Israel geneally known as "Bene Menashe" who migated here during the Assyrian
captivity around 2700 years ago. By 2005 some 800 had returned and settled in Israel, converting to
Judaism.
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