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Home  Growth Of Christianity
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ADVENT AND GROWTH OF CHRISTIANITY IN ZELIANGRONG NAGA'S |
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| Published by
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| On 15 May, 2009
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When the so-called Shan Mission was set to establish at Sadiya in 1836, the American Baptist Missionaries in Mynmer (then called Burma) sought permission to go through Manipur but permission was denied. Though some earlier missionaries sometimes mentioned to start mission in Manipur, even as late as 1886 it was not considered to be a potential field. And yet, within ten years time the American Baptist Mission adopted Manipur as its field and begin the work by 1896. Like in most places, Christianity followed the colonial rule in Manipur, even in Zeliangrong as you will notice soon. The Arthington Aborigines Mission first started the mission in the state though they soon left it to the American Baptist Mission.
Arthington Aborigines Mission: It was a private mission society of English millionaire named Robert Arthington of Leeds, England. In 1885, he wrote to the Assam Baptist Mission stating his desire to open a work among any evangelized tribes in and around Assam or elsewhere in India. Robert is said to have commissioned about thirteen Missionaries in 1890 and one of those missionaries happened to be the first missionary of Manipur. He was none other than the English man called William Pettigrew (1869-1942). Pettigrew joined the Arthington Aborigines Mission in 1890 and was commissioned to go to India in the same year. He was then just a young man of twenty one. He along with three other missionaries and a doctor arrived at Kolkata, Bangal by the end of 1890 and were warmly received by Rev, and Mrs, St Dalmas. Pettigrew had infant baptism being an Anglican, but after coming to India, from his further New Testament study he came to be convinced of the doctrine of believer's baptism. Then he received believer's baptism from hands of Rev, R,. Wright Hay, a missionary of Baptist Missionary Society (BMS) in Dhaka (then spelled Dacca). He must become an independent Baptist holding to Baptist views following his baptism yet continued to serve the Arthington Mission.
In March 1891 the massacre of Manipur was follows by the Anglo - Manipur war was said to have attracted Pettigrew attention to Manipur. Pettigrew and his friends attempts to enter Manipur but the political Agent of the State refused permission. Meanwhile the British assumed the administration of Manipur following the Anglo-Manipur War in April 1891. Though the investiture of the minor Raja, Churachand Singh was one by April 29, 1892, the Government appointed the chief Political agent Major Maxwell the regent to manage the state on behalf the Raja. The British authority did not permit mission work in Manipur in order to avoid antagonism of the orthodox Hindu Meiteis.
Pettigrew enter to Manipur: During the Major Maxwell manage the state on behalf of minor Raja. Porteous came as the Acting political Agent of the state. Pettigrew sought for permission and in a providential was Porteous allowed him (apparently without the knowledge of his superior) to enter Manipur in December 1893. Grabbing the opportunity, Pettigrew arrived at Imphal, the capital city of Manipur on February 6,1894. Soon he enter the state he started a school at Imphal with four boys. He started teaching in Bangali but as he wanted to Impart education in Manipur Grammar and began to teach in Manipuri. Beside his school work, Pettigrew preached the gospel to the Hindu Meiteis which the latter group construed it as a deliberate attempt to impose upon them the government's
religious In the midst of the progressive work, Major Maxwell, the political Agent, returned from furlong and found the Hindu Meiteis alarmed by Pettigrew to immediately stop his work and leave Imphal. Thus, after six months of th leave Imphal, Maxwell did suggest that the missionary could work in the hills of Manipur that were under the British administration. Apparently, Pettigrew accepted this suggestion and later received personal assistance from Maxwell in his works in the hills.
Further expansion of Missions under the Manipur Baptist Church: During the Mission period the main Christian efforts in Manipur were directed towards the peoples inhabiting the hills areas. Under the Manipur Baptist convention (MBC) the first converts of the various tribes in Manipur Naturally, Ukhrul being the first headquarters of the mission,the Tangkhul Nagas, were the first converts whom Pettigrew baptized in 1901. A. Porom Singh of Pheiying village who was converted in April 1903 was the first Meitei Christian.Thus, the Meiteis were the second community to have received Christianity. In 1912, seven Kuki (probably all Thadou Kukis) and two Kom students were baptized at Ukhrul. So the two tribes shared he third placed as sar as conversions are concerned.
Advancement in Christianity among the Zeliangrong Nagas: The third major Christian group was the Zeliangrong. The Zeliangrong have an interesting tradition about a prophet named Guibamreiyang who is said to have foretold the coming of Christianity at least 30 years before Pettigrew arrived in Imphal.
Advancement in Inpui (Kabui) Nagas:The Kabui or Inpui Nagas were the next tribe to accept Christianity in the person of Namrijinnang, Maipak of Bakau village who received baptism in December 1914. Born in Khukiu village in the hills he and his father moved to the Imphal suburb of Keishanthong (a Rongmai colony) following his mothers death. His father secured employment for in the Raja's band where he was eventually elevated to the rank of Major. Shortly after taking this position Namrijinnang married a girl named Pantigongliu but their marriage had been marked by tragedy. All the children born to them died in infancy. In his increasing unhappiness Namrijinnang began to search for something that would bring peace. It was during this time that he met Pettigrew and received from the missionary some tracts and Scripture portions in Bangali. He also had long conversations with two of the early Kuki convert from Ukhrul school, Teba and Longkhobel. In 1914 he and his wife decided to become Christians. On 6th December, 1914, they were baptized by Fox at Imphal. Between, the time of making their decision and the actual baptism a son was born to them and lived. They named him Kaphunglung David, which in the Rongmai Language means David, the seed of life.
This son grew up to become the an out standing Christian leader. Early in 1916 Pettigrew at Keishanthong organized a church - the second Baptist church in Manipur –. Namrijinnang had been only one of six persons baptized at Imphal in December, 1914. Others were added to the small Christian community- including two Meithei women-so that when the church was established it had 18 members, including a Kukis. Insofar as life was made very difficult for this first Christian community on the plains of Manipur - though Namrijinnang position in the Raja's band protected them to a certain extent - it was decided to establish a separate Christian settlement on the outskirts of Imphal. In 1920 five Christian families moved to Thangmaibon, settling on a plot of Land given by the service rendered by the Mission and many Christians during the First World War. Poromsingh, the first Meithei Christian, and his family was one of them - having moved down from Ukhrul. At the time of the Japanese invasion this site was abandoned and reverted to the Government. However in 1956, at the request of the Manipur Baptist Convention, it was once again made available for Christian use. The Imphal Christian Center is now located on this land.
Namrijinnang brought the gospel to the Inpui area in 1918 but no one responded. In 1927, five persons namely, B. Poujengthonang, B.Tingjunang, B. Barambuiba, B.Katasiba and NK. Meishikamang were converted to Christianity. In 1930 they left Haochong and established a new village called Chingchen (now called Pungmon), where they established the first church in the Inpui area. At first the Inpui churches were under the Zeliangrong Baptist Association (ZBC). In 1974, the Inpuis informed their fellowship known as the Eastern Churches Fellowship. Later, the fellowship was renamed Kabui Naga Baptist Association (KNBA) in 1985 and it become a association. A few years later, the (KNBA) was recognized by the MBC and the Council of Baptist Churches North East India (CBCNEI).
Advancement in Rongmei Nagas: Namrijinnang resigned from his government position in1919 in order to take up evangelistic work among his own people in the western hills. Though he could not take up this work until the Kuki Rebellion was ended he had used the time of waiting to good purpose. During this period he talked with Jinlakpou of Kaikao Village about Christianity and apparently interested him-though he did not become a Christian immediately. After the rebellion Jinlakpou was appointed to an important Government post at the newly established divisional headquarters at Tamenglong. There his interest in Christianity was revived through contact with Kuki Christians. He was baptized in 1920. He gather a small congregation at Tamenglong and took the opportunity, While on census duty, of preaching in his own village. As a result a total often houses, including that of His own family, became Christian. Within two years were 20 Christian families at Kaikao but opposition, which received support from Government officers. The village elders of Kaikao complained against the Christians to the Government, saying that they were destroying the traditions of the people. They had ordered the Christians to leave the village but they had refused on the ground that they had a right to remain where their property was.
The SDO sided with the elders, ordering the Christians to leave the village within a week- forfeiting any property that they were fined Rs.400- apparently for all the trouble they caused! At this points Pettigrew intervened with the state authorities, securing permission for the Christians to settle on a new site only about a quarter of a mile from the old village. The new Christian village was named Sempang. The organized a church at Sempang the first among the Zeliangrong. Namrijinpou was sent to lead them and a school was soon opened. As such Kaikao church which was founded on 9th September,1923,became the first church with local membership in the Rongmai area, Until 1946 the Rongmei including all other Zeliangrong were included in the North West Areas. Which wascomposed of Kukis and Naga. But in 1946 the Kukis and Nagas separated and the Rongmailed the Zeliangrong Baptist Association, (ZBA). In 1976 fellowships were organized ondialectical lines. Thus in February 1976 the Rongmai formed the Rongmai Churches Fellowship but functioned under the Zeliangrong Baptist Association. Finally, in December1985 he ZBA leaders decided to re-organized ZBA as Zeliangrong Baptist Churches Council (ZBCC) and elevented the four fellowship (Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei, and Puimai) to association status. As a result, the Rongmai Naga Baptist Association (RNBA) was formally inaugurated by Rev. Kaiba Riamai, the then General Secretary of ZBCC at Tamenglong Baptist church on May 28,1986.
Advancement in Liangmai Nagas: In the 1920s the gospel spread to more tribes beginning with the Moa Nagas. During this period Mr. Maisi Newmai of Taningzam who accepted Christianity in 1923 was the first Liangmai in Manipur. Mr. Pariwangbou of Longdi Pabram was baptized in 1924 as the second convert and the Longdi Pabram Baptist Church was established as the first Liangmai Church in 1925 Formerly, Liangmais were included in both the Sadar Association and North West Associations. Then from 1947 till 1986 the liangmais in Tamenglong district joined the Zeliangrong Baptist Association (ZBA) or MBC. In November 1954 ZBA formed four dialectical circles namely centre, south circle, north circle, and west circles namely centre circle, south circle, north circle, and west circle in view of Batter administration. The Liangmai Churches were in the north circle, which was renamed as Liangmai Christian Fellowship was in1972. After some years the Liangmai Christian Fellowship was renamed ass Hamai North Baptist Association and itwas inaugurated by Rev. Mp. Namthiurei, field Director, of ZBA at Liangchi During Liangmai Christian Fellowship meeting on 14 March 1974. Later, he association was renamed Liangmai Naga Baptist Association. Manipur (LNBA,M) and it was officially declared in the Triennial Fellowship at Tamah village on 19th Feb, 1984 and thus the LNBA (M) was recognized by MBC in 1987.
Advancement in Zemes Nagas: Mr. Lungliambou of Mandeu village who was Convert in 1950s all the Zeme Christian of Tamenglong district, Manipur. Following his Conversion the first Zeme church was established at Mandeu. Gradually, the Gospel spread to other places and by 1950s all he Zeme village had a church each. At first, the Zeme churches were also included in he North West Association. Then from 1947 till 1986 the Zemes were with the other Zeliangrong in the Zeliangrong Baptist Association (ZBA). In 1954 ZBA established four circles for the four dialectical groups namely. Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmai and Puimai. In 1965 the Zeme literature society was organized through the efforts of Mr. Hangke and D.N. Aleu. Then in 1975 the Zeme Circle was renamed Zeme Christian Fellowship and elect Mr. Hangke as Fellowship Secretary, Mr. D.H Zemes Literature Secretary and Mr. D.N. Aleu as Department Secretary cum Treasurer. Meanwhile, the ZBA executive meeting held at Town Baptist Church, Tamenglong From October 16-18, 1985 resolved to upgrade all the existing Fellowships to associational statue and ZBA was restructured to a council with the Zeme Naga Baptist Association was form and formally inaugurated by the ZBCC on June 29th, 1986.
The progress among the Zeliangrong tribes was never spectacular. Through thee were no mass movements towards Christianity there was some 1,000 Zeliangrong Christians in Manipur Churches were found through their area but the largest concentration was in the south near Tamenglong. This above all mention is collect from some books of Historical background of Manipur, Zeliangrong and Nagas History. Please go through with the correction in sort Historical background of Zeliangrong Nagas.
Courtesy : N. Namsibo Chawang
numcliangmai@yahoo.com or nchawang@yahoo.co.in.
Bibliography
Downs, F.S. The mighty works of God: A brief History of the council of Baptist churches in
North east India, The Mission period 1836-1950. Gauhati: Christian Literature Centre, 1971.
Haisuangbe, D. A brief Introduction about Zeme Naga Baptisr Association Submitted to
MBC,2004.
Johnstone, James. Manipur and the Naga Hills. Reprinted. Dilhi: Vivek Publishing
House,1971.
Mairilungbou, Newmai. A brief History of the Liangmai Naga Baptist Association,
Manipur Submitted to MBC,2004.
Mordecai, T.P. A brief History of the Rongmei Naga Baptist Association. Submitted to
MBC, 2004.
Namthiurei, MP. The Great Awakening: The coming of Christianity in Zeliangrong Area
(1915-1971). Tamenglong: Zeliangrong Christian Association,1972.
Pamei, Ramkhun. The Zeliangrong Nagas: A study of Tribal Christian. New Dilhi: Uppal
Publishing House, 1996
Zeliang Elungkiebe, A history of the Manipur Baptist convention. MBC, 2005.
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