The Meetei Revivalist Movement: Navigating Identity And Cultural Transformation In 20th Century Manipur

Abstract

The study aims to examine the process of shaping a distinctive socio-religious and cultural identity of the Meetei people expressed through the Meetei Revivalist Movement, or Sanamahism, in 20th-century Manipur. The study explores the effects of colonial modernity, particularly British "Indirect Rule" during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which introduced new ideas, institutions, and perspectives to the region. The study set the stage for this diverse ethnic group, and in particular, the emergence of various socio-religious and cultural identities among the Meetei community. The study examines the relationship between the Meetei Revivalist Movement and political and militant movements in both the valley and hills of Manipur. This study employs historical and cultural analysis to understand the formation and evolution of Meetei identity, drawing on primary sources such as historical records, writings, and narratives from socio-political movements. The finding of the study indicates that the assertion of Meetei identity is not simply a cultural revival but a very close relationship between the political-militant struggle for autonomy and recognition. Furthermore, the study emphasizes internal fissures within the Meetei Revivalist Movement in a more nuanced discussion that emphasizes identity formation and long-lasting implications of identity politics in Manipur.