Like any other Hindu community, the Bishnupriya Manipuri has its own customs and rituals, more appropriately societal systems. One among this systems are Lokei and Ghar Mangoni.
By BN Sinha, New Delhi
The population of Bishnupriya Manipuri community is very small in size and is widely spread in the north eastern part of India in Assam, Tripura and Bangladesh. We all believe that we are Aryans and considerably rich with respect to ethnicity and dogmas. The community as a whole is considered as peace loving and devotional and claim itself as Vaishnavaites as it worships Lord Krishna.
There are some distinctive rules or norms prevalent in the Bishnupriya Manipuri community with respect to customs and rituals. Though Bishnupriya Manipuri community is blessed of not following the system of casteism other communities in India. However, the community is segregated into various numerous clusters with respect to their origins known as Lokeis, and Gutras. Though gutras are said to be the fleet of same Gurukul named after several mythological Rishis namely, Shandilya, Atraya, Bharadwaja, Baiyagra Padya, Kashyapa. etc which can also be noticed in other communities.
Adding to that, the uniqueness in Bishnupriya Manipuri community is the lokei system. The community is divided into clusters respective to lokei they represent like Raja lokei, Khulakpa lokei, Amungo lokei, Lempa lokei, Nenthangkpa lokei to name a few. There are more lokeis. There is not a definite history that describes the evolution of these lokeis but it is believed it originated with respect to their location, common habits or after the name of their respective ruler of the ancient Bishnupriya Manipuri inhabitants.
There are various unique norms Bishnupriya Manipuri community follow which exists in the lokei system as the people of same lokei are also known as sakeis. There are several occasions which every sakei performs together. Various obligations and rules like in Bishnupriya Manipuri marriages the lokei and gutra both have to different between the bride and groom. There is also a typical Bishnupriya Manipuri custom prevalent in the lokei system which is known as “Ghar Mangoni”.
Ghar Mangoni is basically a time period in which members of specific lokei irrespective of the territory they belong can not perform any kind of auspicious celebration or performing of puja etc. The unique nature of Ghar Mangoni is that it occurs only when a person is born or when someone dies. There are various norms and rules need to be followed at the time of Ghar Mangoni , which restricts their daily life styles and food habits. It is so prominent and of intense importance that even the 21st century urban Bishnupriya Manipuris also have not forgotten to follow these norms.
But as the whole mankind move towards the sci-fi century, all the typical customs started plummeting from all the communities including Bishnupriya Manipuri. The 21st century individual wants to be more logical and scientific and sets his own norms and rules considering the aspects of “ demand and supply” which is definitely for the betterment of mankind and the system as a whole.
But is it always justified to disobey all the old social norms and customs may be unscientific or shall we need to study the evolution of all these norms or shall we quietly follow all those norms prevalent in order to conserve the unique community customs?
I definitely need to be enlightened…..
Read more:
Biography of Pandit Motilal Sinha
Amar Ela
What are We Waiting for?
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