Functions And Duties Of Pei Of The Traditional Rongmei Village In Religious Affairs

Abstract

The paper is an attempt to examine the functions and duties of Pei (council of elders) in the traditional Rongmei village of Manipur with special reference to religious affairs. Among the Rongmei, the social, cultural and political activities are confined to the village. A traditional Rongmei village is ruled by a Pei. The Pei is the supreme body comprising all the clans’ heads of the village. However, women are not permitted to represent in the Pei. It is the responsibility and duty of the priest and elders of Pei to perform the religious rites and ceremonies related to the community and individual welfare. They perform the rituals of the festivals and great ritual sacrifices like Maku Banru, Taraang, Matui etc., observance of taboo and genna, lifecycle ceremonies of birth, marriage and death, worship of Tingkao Ragwang (The Supreme God), Rongmei pantheon gods and Bamboo (village presiding deity). It is the Pei which jealously guards the religious customs and traditions of the Rongmei people at the village level.