Loiyumpa Silyel
,_enacted_during_the_reign_of_Meitei_King_Loiyumpa_(Loiyumba).jpg) First page of the "Loiyumpa Silyel", stored in the Manipur University Library, digitalised by the Digital Library of India | |
| Language | ancient Meitei language (old Manipuri language) |
|---|---|
| Subjects | law, rules and regulations, social system |
| Genre | Constitution |
| Published | 1110 CE |
| Publisher | King Loiyumba (Ancient Meitei: Loiyumpa) |
| Publication place | Ancient Kangleipak - Medieval Kangleipak |
| It is an 11th-12th century written constitution of the Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). | |
The Loiyumpa Silyel (Modern Meitei: "Loiyumba Sinyen"), also termed as the Loyumpa Silyel (Modern Meitei: "Loyumba Sinyen") or the Loiyumpa Shilyel (Modern Meitei: "Loiyumba Shinyen") or the Loyumpa Shilyel (Modern Meitei: "Loyumba Shinyen") or the Loyumba Sinyen (Old Manipuri: Loyampa Sinyen), is an 11th-12th century ancient Meitei language written constitution, regulated in the Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) during the rule of King Loiyumba (1074-1122 CE). In 1110 CE, its format was finalised from a promulgation of the proto-constitution, drafted in 429 CE by King Naophangba.[1][1]: 304 Historically, it is the first written constitution,[2] and one of the well recorded Ancient Meitei language texts of the kingdom.[3] It was replaced by the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947, that was functional until Manipur was merged into Republic of India on October 15, 1949.[4]
It includes the accounts of the distribution of the duties to the subjects of the king.[3]: 306 [5] Its rules and regulations remains to be an authoritative work in the Meitei social system till the present day Manipur.[6]
The Loiyumpa Silyel also mentions about the Meitei royal etiquette.[7][8][9]
Families accustomed to worship deities
[edit]According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution,[7][8][9]
1. Heirom family worships Meireima.[7][8][9]
2. Irom family worships Khanglangba.[7][8][9]
3. Sorelsangbam family worships Shorarel (heaven).[7][8][9]
4. Sharang Leishangthem family worships Lammabee.[7][8][9]
5. Sharotkhaibam family worships Phouoibi (goddess for paddy).[7][8][9]
6. Potshangbam family worships Shanglang-mei (Kangla).[7][8][9]
7. Moirang Pukhrambam family worships Kutchu (Wayenshang).[7][8][9]
8. Shoubam family worships Mawao Leima.[7][8][9]
9. Heishnam family worships Panthoibi (most adored Meetei goddess).[7][8][9]
10. Khoisanam family worships Pet-angnga.[7][8][9]
11. Taibangjam family worships Laikhurembee.[7][8][9]
12. Konthoujam family worships Huimureima.[7][8][9]
13. Ashangbam family worships Lainaotabi.[7][8][9]
14. Chingkhwam family worships Nungthelleima.[7][8][9]
15. Arambam family worships Shoubonleima.[7][8][9]
16. Yenkhom Phisabam family worships Awangba (deity Lai-wangba).[7][8][9]
17. Luwangshangbam family worships Luwaang Ching.[7][8][9]
18. Sinam Laishangbam family worships Lainingthou.[7][8][9]
19. Moirangthem Puthem family worships Puthiba.[7][8][9]
20. Mangsatabam family worships Pureiromba.[7][8][9]
21. Langmaithem family worships Tenlongba.[7][8][9]
22. Ngarangyanpam family worships Thongak.[7][8][9]
23. Nakalbam family worships Chingkol-Ningthou.[7][8][9]
24. Khuraijam family worships Chingbal Leima.[7][8][9]
25. Meiyengbam family worships Yaoreibi.[7][8][9]
26. Leishangthem family worships Koubarel.[7][8][9]
27. Ningthoujam family worships Numitleima.[7][8][9]
28. Pukkalabam family worships Koubru.[7][8][9]
29. Chenglei-Laishangbam family worships Marjing.[7][8][9]
30. Moirangthem family worships Moirang Phaktom Ariba.[7][8][9]
31. Kangpucham family worships Hongnemyoi Khunjao.[7][8][9]
32. Chingkhalbam family worships Chinga.[7][8][9]
33. Longjam Pheiroijam family worships Langjing.[7][8][9]
34. Tekcham family worships Langgol.[7][8][9]
35. Nongmaithem family worships Langmaicheeng (Nongmaijing).[7][8][9]
36. Ningthoujam family worships Chinga Leima.[7][8][9]
37. Heithou and Khongtekcham families worship Langching Hiyangthou Leima.[7][8][9]
38. Thaopicham family worships Yumjao Lairemma.[7][8][9]
Family wise obligations of the Maiba priesthood
[edit]According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution,[7][8][9]
1. Asheibam family is responsible for attending to the cleansing of the monarch.[7][8][9]
2. Aram-bam family is responsible for taking care of the bathe.[7][8][9]
3. Toibicham family is responsible for playing the Tharaochi (Meetei musical instrument).[7][8][9]
4. Arupam (Arubam) family is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and purity.[7][8][9]
5. Aheibam family is responsible for making the Pukhamnati (plate with decorated rim).[7][8][9]
6. Loukham family is responsible for drawing the Meiba (Meetei device to produce fire).[7][8][9]
7. Maibathiyam family is responsible for throwing the Shingkhai (Meetei prognostication-device) and entering the trance of dream.[7][8][9]
8. Meihoubam family is responsible for igniting the fire.[7][8][9]
9. Meiphuwam family is responsible for blowing in the fire.[7][8][9]
10. Tokpam family is responsible for digging in the soil.[7][8][9]
11. Tokpuram (Tokpram) and Thangsabam families are responsible for piling up the earth.[7][8][9]
12. Naoroibam family is responsible for taking the baby in custody.[7][8][9]
13. Ngathem family is responsible for calling the Ngami (beckoning the fishes).[7][8][9]
14. Shingkhangpam family is responsible for fetching the dry wood fuels.[7][8][9]
15. Haomukpam family is responsible for making the phak (mattress for sitting).[7][8][9]
16. Khoirisungbam family is responsible for weaving the Khoiriphi (Meetei cloth).[7][8][9]
17. Khoiriyanpam family is responsible for severing the umbilical cord.[7][8][9]
18. Lairencham family is responsible for washing the black clothes.[7][8][9]
19. Thoupicham family is responsible for managing the plantain leaves.[7][8][9]
20. Leishaonbam family is responsible for making the boats.[7][8][9]
21. Yelwam family is responsible for taking in the hen.[7][8][9]
22. Nganukappam family is responsible for looking after the Nganu (duck).[7][8][9]
23. Khugolthem family is responsible for carrying back the hameng (goats).[7][8][9]
24. Okrambam family is responsible for taking back the Ok (pig).[7][8][9]
25. Waleppam (Wareppam) family is responsible for adoring the bamboo.[7][8][9]
26. Maibam family is responsible for invoking the Chupshaba (priest’s invocation for cessation of recurrent deaths).[7][8][9]
27. Ngangom family is responsible for throwing the Konyai (gold and silver device used by the priest).[7][8][9]
28. Yenkokpam family is responsible for descending the yerum (egg) to the earth (forecast device).[7][8][9]
29. Khumukcham family is responsible for taming the tiger.[7][8][9]
30. Khaidem family is responsible for supervising the body under cremation.[7][8][9]
31. Amakcham family is responsible for taking hold of the bow and arrow.[7][8][9]
32. Mangshatabam family is responsible for supervising the grave.[7][8][9]
33. Wanglenbam family is responsible for beating the drum.[7][8][9]
34. Kabrambam family is responsible for managing the Leishoupung (mount of aerated soil).[7][8][9]
35. Kontenakathang priest family is responsible for preparing the Chup for the deity.[7][8][9]
36. Shoukrakpam family is responsible for making the chaphuwalong (pot).[7][8][9]
37. Ngaseppam family is responsible for slicing the fishes.[7][8][9]
38. Thingnongchaorong priest family is responsible for worshipping the Lainingthouhanba.[7][8][9]
Duties of the Tampak Maiba groups (people's priests)
[edit]According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution,[7][8][9]
1. Khabalangthangchakaba Wamaiba group is responsible for idolizing the Naohal Ahalba (sylvan deity).[7][8][9]
2. Jagoiwa priest group is responsible for deifying the Koubarel.[7][8][9]
3. Langmei priest (Luwang Maiba) group is responsible for worshipping the Chakhaba.[7][8][9]
4. Thongnangkaipiya priest group is responsible for deifying the Muwaningthou.[7][8][9]
5. Khayoipariyang priest group is responsible for worshipping the Marjing.[7][8][9]
6. Loiyamsanggai priest group is responsible for glorifying the Koubru.[7][8][9]
7. Asheibam group is responsible for chanting sanalamok (hymn for deities).[7][8][9]
8. Ashem Ngakhakhoi group is responsible for chanting the Yakei Eshei (Yakairol).[7][8][9]
9. Paobam group is responsible for listening to the message of god at Paodahidel.[7][8][9]
10. Laishram group is responsible for paying service to the Santhong.[7][8][9]
11. Lantham group is responsible for singing the Lalpha song (song regarding victory in war).[7][8][9]
12. Khraijam group is responsible for looking after the Khraithong (gate).[7][8][9]
13. Akhongbam group is responsible for beating the Khong (musical instrument used in Chakpa sylvan festival).[7][8][9]
14. Mutum group is responsible for idolizing the Lalhampung (Lalambung).[7][8][9]
15. Thingnam group is responsible for deifying the Ukrong.[7][8][9]
16. Shingkham group is responsible for singing the Langmairol.[7][8][9]
17. Thongam group is responsible for singing the Ahonglon (song for the god Sanamahi).[7][8][9]
18. Shoraisham group is responsible for singing the Khoichulamok lamkok (song in the sylvan festival).[7][8][9]
19. Chandam group is responsible for singing the Khongchinglon (for the festival of Moirang Thangjing).[7][8][9]
20. Thiyam group is responsible for adoring the boat.[7][8][9]
21. Apucham group is responsible for paying homage to Pukshri (a paddy-eating worm in the field).[7][8][9]
22. Nongpokpam group is responsible for invoking the rain god.[7][8][9]
23. Waikhom group is responsible for gathering the husk.[7][8][9]
24. Akoijam group is responsible for singing the hymn of Mikol (a song that harmonizes the soul and spirit).[7][8][9]
25. Salam group is responsible for idolizing the Langmaiching (Nongmaijing mountain) and acting the role of Tangkhul Sharam Pakhangba (Nongpokningthou-king of the east).[7][8][9]
26. Hidam group is responsible for making the Sanaliphak (royal mattress).[7][8][9]
27. Khamnam group is responsible for offering the Khamnungcheiyom (offering at the royal grave).[7][8][9]
28. Amaipi group is responsible for offering the Leiraiyu (offering to the local deity).[7][8][9]
29. Nongton Amaibi group is responsible for dipping in the Laija Phuhing (offering of Khayomlapkpa by use of unburnt earthen pot).[7][8][9]
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).[7][8][9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. p. 2. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.
- ^ Gangte, Priyadarshni M. (2008). Customary Laws of Meitei and Mizo Societies of Manipur. Akansha Publishing House. pp. 275, 338. ISBN 978-81-8370-130-3.
- ^ a b Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 18, 21. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
- ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1991). Law and Society: Strategy for Public Choice, 2001. Mittal Publications. p. 304. ISBN 978-81-7099-271-4.
- ^ Paniker, K. Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections. Sahitya Akademi. p. 326. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.
- ^ Khan, Rasheeduddin; Study, Indian Institute of Advanced (1987). Composite Culture of India and National Integration. Indian Institute of Advanced Study. p. 143.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df Manipur: Treaties & Documents. India: Mittal Publications, 1993. p. 7–11
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df Manikchand Singh, konsam (2012). Loiyumpa Silyel The Ancient Constitution Of Manipur.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df "Historical evidence | Meeyamgi Ningtam Lanmee". 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
External links
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