Maiba

File:The tableau of Manipur passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 69th Republic Day Parade 2018, in New Delhi on January 26, 2018.jpg

A tableau showing the motif of a Maiba, on the Republic Day of India in New Delhi

File:Plate 12-2 Folk-Lore, vol. 24.jpg

Meitei priests holding sacred umbrellas in Imphal

A Maiba or an Amaiba (literally, "priest") is a male religious leader authorised to perform the sacred rites and rituals of Sanamahism (Meitei religion), 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, magicians, medicine men, physicians and shamans. They play important roles in the ancestor worship (apokpa khurumjaba) ceremony. 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). Since their position is not hereditary, they acquire their positions through talent and skills. The female counterpart of a Maiba is a Maibi.

Gallery

File:Plate 12-1 Folk-Lore, vol. 24.jpg

Maibas dancing to please God Thangjing at the Lai Haraoba festival in the Ibudhou Thangjing Temple in Moirang

File:Plate 11-2 Folk-Lore, vol. 24.jpg

Maibas playing Penas to please God Khamlangba

File:The tableau of Manipur passes through the Rajpath during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade-2018, in New Delhi on January 23, 2018.jpg

A tableau showing the motif of a Maiba, on the Republic Day of India in New Delhi

Other websites

• https://books.google.co.in/books?id=9SLkAAAAMAAJ&q=maiba+priest&dq=maiba+priest&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwih7qXT04DxAhUBeisKHaaPDR84FBDoATAHegQIAhAD
• https://books.google.co.in/books?id=tuRtAAAAMAAJ&q=maiba+priest&dq=maiba+priest&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLh5Su0oDxAhWGbn0KHUaiDvU4ChDoATAFegQIARAD
• https://books.google.co.in/books?id=U2wMAQAAMAAJ&q=maiba+priest&dq=maiba+priest&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLh5Su0oDxAhWGbn0KHUaiDvU4ChDoATACegQICBAD
• https://books.google.co.in/books?id=6pf_muabVNIC&q=maiba+priest&dq=maiba+priest&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLh5Su0oDxAhWGbn0KHUaiDvU4ChDoATAAegQIBRAD
• https://books.google.co.in/books?id=eDluAAAAMAAJ&q=maiba+priest&dq=maiba+priest&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBqovV0YDxAhXCX3wKHRpbChUQ6AEwB3oECAMQAw
• https://books.google.co.in/books?id=tIBymmBWqgsC&pg=PA23&dq=maiba+priest&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBqovV0YDxAhXCX3wKHRpbChUQ6AEwA3oECAYQAw#v=onepage&q=maiba%20priest&f=false
• https://books.google.co.in/books?id=6SzC4XbtPKkC&pg=PT75&dq=maiba+priest&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjBqovV0YDxAhXCX3wKHRpbChUQ6AEwAHoECAsQAw#v=onepage&q=maiba%20priest%20Meitei%20tradition&f=false