Laishram 1 Name: Simon Laishram Guide: Asst. Prof Gaana Nair Cultural Studies EST 642A 13 March, 2014 DUAL RELIGIOUS IDENTIFICATION OF THE MEETIES OF MANIPUR: MISCEGENATION OF ANCIENT TRADITION AND HINDUISM Abstract: Manipur, previously known as the Kingdom of Kangleipak, has undergone a religious metamorphism of a confounding effect. An ordinary resident of Imphal, a Meetie – a community which constituted the royalty of the Kingdom – is born into a family, becomes of age, is coupled in matrimony, experiences death and is remembered by his kin in the fashion common to Hinduism as practiced in mainland India. However, his or her daily prayers, routine rituals, and biddings in times of trouble are not of a Hindu character. It reflects back to a tradition which precedes the advent of Hinduism in the region. This narrative essay explores the dual religious identity of Manipuri Meeties by observing miscegenation in mythology, divine characters, worship patterns, rituals, festivals, and other such areas of influence by the religion of the ―outside‖. Keywords: Meetei; Manipur; Religion; Sanamahism.