Transcript: An e-Journal of Literary and Cultural Studies e-ISSN: 2582-9858 Vol. 2, No. 1, January-June 2022, 44-59 https://doi.org/10.53034/Transcript.2022.v02.n01.003 This open-access work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial 4.0 International License. For more information visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ Meitei Umanglaiharaoba and the Order of Nature Kshetrimayum Premchandra https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9387-422X Tripura University, Tripura, India Abstract While the debate between climate change activists and sceptics continues, we sure know that nature has suffered exceedingly at the hands of human beings. It is a complicated issue, and we can only blame ourselves and our attitude towards nature for such a knee-jerk response to the crisis at hand. In this paper, the author explores nature as Manipuris/Meiteis perceive it in the traditional Manipuri faith system and the sub-system called umanglais and their appeasement festival called umanglaiharaoba. Nature in the Meitei faith system is inclusive of all living and non-living organisms. They consider nature as a source for their survival and subsistence. The author believes, quite contrary to popular belief that human beings have created chaos of culture after separating themselves from the order of nature. The dichotomy of doctrinal and non-doctrinal faith systems has also put up an extended argument regarding nature and its place in human discourses. It is to be seen how nature is placed in umanglaiharaoba and other associated rites and rituals and explore how much space and traction nature has lost over the centuries in the said activities and practices. Keywords: faith system, umanglai, umanglaiharaoba, nature, culture, Manipuri/Meitei Lai Haraoba or umanglaiharaoba means 'pleasing the ancestral deities'. Lai haraoba is a Manipuri’s religious dialogue between him/her and his/her creator. It is also a reminder of his/her position in the cosmos. The process of evolution and creation of life is at the heart of this yearly ritual. It also depicts the everyday life of a Manipuri in every aspect of existence, such as health and procreation, agriculture and livelihood, sports and recreation, and other such activities. Most importantly, umanglaiharaoba produces a discourse on man's reliance and dependence on nature/forest/environment.