RITES & RITUALS ASSOCIATED WITH ANCESTRAL WORSHIP OF THE MEITEIS

Abstract [English]

Ancestral worship is a form of religious practice, which honours the deceased family members through various ritual offerings. The practice is rooted in the belief that ancestors continue to exist in a spiritual form and maintain a connection with the living, influencing their fortunes and well-being. This form of practice is intricate in nature and multifaceted phenomenon. It helps family and society to trace their roots to ancient times, shaping the very core of social, cultural, and political structures, a testament to the enduring power of heritage and cultural ethos. Ancestral worship remains an important aspect of many cultures today, and its continued practice reflects the enduring influence of tradition and cultural values. As a subject matter, it is widely studied across various disciplines, particularly in anthropology, history, and sociology. In the Encyclopaedia of Psychology and Religion, Kasi and Mathew pointed out that the term “Ancestor worship” was introduced by the renowned British Philosopher and Sociologist Herbert Spencer in the year 1885, and it refers to the practice of performing rituals to summon deceased relatives. The Salai (Clan) are known in Manipur since the centuries preceding the Christian era. The term Salai which literally means God of the lineage (Sa=Sagai=lineages, lai=God) is composed of number of lineages. A salai of the Meiteis was originally an ethnic group or tribe speaking a distinct language or dialect occupying a territory, having an autonomous principality under a ruler who was both a political chieftain and social head of the clan. In this backdrop the paper in a humble attempt to highlight some of the rites and rituals associated with the ancestor worship of the Meiteis.