Maiba

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.¹⁵ 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.

According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution,⁸⁹¹⁰

1. Asheibam family is responsible for attending to the cleansing of the monarch.⁸⁹¹⁰

2. Aram-bam family is responsible for taking care of the bathe.⁸⁹¹⁰

3. Toibicham family is responsible for playing the Tharaochi (Meetei musical instrument).⁸⁹¹⁰

4. Arupam (Arubam) family is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and purity.⁸⁹¹⁰

5. Aheibam family is responsible for making the Pukhamnati (plate with decorated rim).⁸⁹¹⁰

6. Loukham family is responsible for drawing the Meiba (Meetei device to produce fire).⁸⁹¹⁰

7. Maibathiyam family is responsible for throwing the Shingkhai (Meetei prognostication-device) and entering the trance of dream.⁸⁹¹⁰

8. Meihoubam family is responsible for igniting the fire.⁸⁹¹⁰

9. Meiphuwam family is responsible for blowing in the fire.⁸⁹¹⁰

10. Tokpam family is responsible for digging in the soil.⁸⁹¹⁰

11. Tokpuram (Tokpram) and Thangsabam families are responsible for piling up the earth.⁸⁹¹⁰

12. Naoroibam family is responsible for taking the baby in custody.⁸⁹¹⁰

13. Ngathem family is responsible for calling the Ngami (beckoning the fishes).⁸⁹¹⁰

14. Shingkhangpam family is responsible for fetching the dry wood fuels.⁸⁹¹⁰

15. Haomukpam family is responsible for making the phak (mattress for sitting).⁸⁹¹⁰

16. Khoirisungbam family is responsible for weaving the Khoiriphi (Meetei cloth).⁸⁹¹⁰

17. Khoiriyanpam family is responsible for severing the umbilical cord.⁸⁹¹⁰

18. Lairencham family is responsible for washing the black clothes.⁸⁹¹⁰

19. Thoupicham family is responsible for managing the plantain leaves.⁸⁹¹⁰

20. Leishaonbam family is responsible for making the boats.⁸⁹¹⁰

21. Yelwam family is responsible for taking in the hen.⁸⁹¹⁰

22. Nganukappam family is responsible for looking after the Nganu (duck).⁸⁹¹⁰

23. Khugolthem family is responsible for carrying back the hameng (goats).⁸⁹¹⁰

24. Okrambam family is responsible for taking back the Ok (pig).⁸⁹¹⁰

25. Waleppam (Wareppam) family is responsible for adoring the bamboo.⁸⁹¹⁰

26. Maibam family is responsible for invoking the Chupshaba (priest’s invocation for cessation of recurrent deaths).⁸⁹¹⁰

27. Ngangom family is responsible for throwing the Konyai (gold and silver device used by the priest).⁸⁹¹⁰

28. Yenkokpam family is responsible for descending the yerum (egg) to the earth (forecast device).⁸⁹¹⁰

29. Khumukcham family is responsible for taming the tiger.⁸⁹¹⁰

30. Khaidem family is responsible for supervising the body under cremation.⁸⁹¹⁰

31. Amakcham family is responsible for taking hold of the bow and arrow.⁸⁹¹⁰

32. Mangshatabam family is responsible for supervising the grave.⁸⁹¹⁰

33. Wanglenbam family is responsible for beating the drum.⁸⁹¹⁰

34. Kabrambam family is responsible for managing the Leishoupung (mount of aerated soil).⁸⁹¹⁰

35. Kontenakathang priest family is responsible for preparing the Chup for the deity.⁸⁹¹⁰

36. Shoukrakpam family is responsible for making the chaphuwalong (pot).⁸⁹¹⁰

37. Ngaseppam family is responsible for slicing the fishes.⁸⁹¹⁰

38. Thingnongchaorong priest family is responsible for worshipping the Lainingthouhanba.⁸⁹¹⁰

According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution,⁸⁹¹⁰

1. Khabalangthangchakaba Wamaiba group is responsible for idolizing the Naohal Ahalba (sylvan deity).⁸⁹¹⁰

2. Jagoiwa priest group is responsible for deifying the Koubarel.⁸⁹¹⁰

3. Langmei priest (Luwang Maiba) group is responsible for worshipping the Chakhaba.⁸⁹¹⁰

4. Thongnangkaipiya priest group is responsible for deifying the Muwaningthou.⁸⁹¹⁰

5. Khayoipariyang priest group is responsible for worshipping the Marjing.⁸⁹¹⁰

6. Loiyamsanggai priest group is responsible for glorifying the Koubru.⁸⁹¹⁰

7. Asheibam group is responsible for chanting sanalamok (hymn for deities).⁸⁹¹⁰

8. Ashem Ngakhakhoi group is responsible for chanting the Yakei Eshei (Yakairol).⁸⁹¹⁰

9. Paobam group is responsible for listening to the message of god at Paodahidel.⁸⁹¹⁰

10. Laishram group is responsible for paying service to the Santhong.⁸⁹¹⁰

11. Lantham group is responsible for singing the Lalpha song (song regarding victory in war).⁸⁹¹⁰

12. Khraijam group is responsible for looking after the Khraithong (gate).⁸⁹¹⁰

13. Akhongbam group is responsible for beating the Khong (musical instrument used in Chakpa sylvan festival).⁸⁹¹⁰

14. Mutum group is responsible for idolizing the Lalhampung (Lalambung).⁸⁹¹⁰

15. Thingnam group is responsible for deifying the Ukrong.⁸⁹¹⁰

16. Shingkham group is responsible for singing the Langmairol.⁸⁹¹⁰

17. Thongam group is responsible for singing the Ahonglon (song for the god Sanamahi).⁸⁹¹⁰

18. Shoraisham group is responsible for singing the Khoichulamok lamkok (song in the sylvan festival).⁸⁹¹⁰

19. Chandam group is responsible for singing the Khongchinglon (for the festival of Moirang Thangjing).⁸⁹¹⁰

20. Thiyam group is responsible for adoring the boat.⁸⁹¹⁰

21. Apucham group is responsible for paying homage to Pukshri (a paddy-eating worm in the field).⁸⁹¹⁰

22. Nongpokpam group is responsible for invoking the rain god.⁸⁹¹⁰

23. Waikhom group is responsible for gathering the husk.⁸⁹¹⁰

24. Akoijam group is responsible for singing the hymn of Mikol (a song that harmonizes the soul and spirit).⁸⁹¹⁰

25. Salam group is responsible for idolizing the Langmaiching (Nongmaijing mountain) and acting the role of Tangkhul Sharam Pakhangba (Nongpokningthou-king of the east).⁸⁹¹⁰

26. Hidam group is responsible for making the Sanaliphak (royal mattress).⁸⁹¹⁰

27. Khamnam group is responsible for offering the Khamnungcheiyom (offering at the royal grave).⁸⁹¹⁰

28. Amaipi group is responsible for offering the Leiraiyu (offering to the local deity).⁸⁹¹⁰

29. Nongton Amaibi group is responsible for dipping in the Laija Phuhing (offering of Khayomlapkpa by use of unburnt earthen pot).⁸⁹¹⁰

30. Phura Amaibi group is responsible for entering the trance of Phura Laiyum and listening to the Mang (Meetei way of receiving oracle through the Maibis, white robed).⁸⁹¹⁰

• 
  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

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