Maiba
A Maiba or an Amaiba is a male religious leader authorised to perform the sacred rites and rituals of Sanamahism, 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 , 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 ceremony.
Chief priest or chief among the maibas is called Maichou, a term formed with the amalgamation of two words.
Since their position is not hereditary, they acquire their positions through talent and skills. The female counterpart of a Maiba is a Maibi.
Family wise obligations of the Maiba priesthood
According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution,1. Asheibam family is responsible for attending to the cleansing of the monarch.
2. Aram-bam family is responsible for taking care of the bathe.
3. Toibicham family is responsible for playing the Tharaochi.
4. Arupam family is responsible for maintaining cleanliness and purity.
5. Aheibam family is responsible for making the Pukhamnati.
6. Loukham family is responsible for drawing the Meiba.
7. Maibathiyam family is responsible for throwing the Shingkhai and entering the trance of dream.
8. Meihoubam family is responsible for igniting the fire.
9. Meiphuwam family is responsible for blowing in the fire.
10. Tokpam family is responsible for digging in the soil.
11. Tokpuram and Thangsabam families are responsible for piling up the earth.
12. Naoroibam family is responsible for taking the baby in custody.
13. Ngathem family is responsible for calling the Ngami.
14. Shingkhangpam family is responsible for fetching the dry wood fuels.
15. Haomukpam family is responsible for making the phak.
16. Khoirisungbam family is responsible for weaving the Khoiriphi.
17. Khoiriyanpam family is responsible for severing the umbilical cord.
18. Lairencham family is responsible for washing the black clothes.
19. Thoupicham family is responsible for managing the plantain leaves.
20. Leishaonbam family is responsible for making the boats.
21. Yelwam family is responsible for taking in the hen.
22. Nganukappam family is responsible for looking after the Nganu.
23. Khugolthem family is responsible for carrying back the hameng.
24. Okrambam family is responsible for taking back the Ok.
25. Waleppam family is responsible for adoring the bamboo.
26. Maibam family is responsible for invoking the Chupshaba.
27. Ngangom family is responsible for throwing the Konyai.
28. Yenkokpam family is responsible for descending the yerum to the earth.
29. Khumukcham family is responsible for taming the tiger.
30. Khaidem family is responsible for supervising the body under cremation.
31. Amakcham family is responsible for taking hold of the bow and arrow.
32. Mangshatabam family is responsible for supervising the grave.
33. Wanglenbam family is responsible for beating the drum.
34. Kabrambam family is responsible for managing the Leishoupung.
35. Kontenakathang priest family is responsible for preparing the Chup for the deity.
36. Shoukrakpam family is responsible for making the chaphuwalong.
37. Ngaseppam family is responsible for slicing the fishes.
38. Thingnongchaorong priest family is responsible for worshipping the Lainingthouhanba.
Duties of the Tampak Maiba groups (people's priests)
According to the Loiyumpa Silyel Constitution,1. Khabalangthangchakaba Wamaiba group is responsible for idolizing the Naohal Ahalba.
2. Jagoiwa priest group is responsible for deifying the Koubarel.
3. Langmei priest group is responsible for worshipping the Chakhaba.
4. Thongnangkaipiya priest group is responsible for deifying the Muwaningthou.
5. Khayoipariyang priest group is responsible for worshipping the Marjing.
6. Loiyamsanggai priest group is responsible for glorifying the Koubru.
7. Asheibam group is responsible for chanting sanalamok.
8. Ashem Ngakhakhoi group is responsible for chanting the Yakei Eshei.
9. Paobam group is responsible for listening to the message of god at Paodahidel.
10. Laishram group is responsible for paying service to the Santhong.
11. Lantham group is responsible for singing the Lalpha song.
12. Khraijam group is responsible for looking after the Khraithong.
13. Akhongbam group is responsible for beating the Khong.
14. Mutum group is responsible for idolizing the Lalhampung.
15. Thingnam group is responsible for deifying the Ukrong.
16. Shingkham group is responsible for singing the Langmairol.
17. Thongam group is responsible for singing the Ahonglon.
18. Shoraisham group is responsible for singing the Khoichulamok lamkok.
19. Chandam group is responsible for singing the Khongchinglon.
20. Thiyam group is responsible for adoring the boat.
21. Apucham group is responsible for paying homage to Pukshri.
22. Nongpokpam group is responsible for invoking the rain god.
23. Waikhom group is responsible for gathering the husk.
24. Akoijam group is responsible for singing the hymn of Mikol.
25. Salam group is responsible for idolizing the Langmaiching and acting the role of Tangkhul Sharam Pakhangba.
26. Hidam group is responsible for making the Sanaliphak.
27. Khamnam group is responsible for offering the Khamnungcheiyom.
28. Amaipi group is responsible for offering the Leiraiyu.
29. Nongton Amaibi group is responsible for dipping in the Laija Phuhing.
30. Phura Amaibi group is responsible for entering the trance of Phura Laiyum and listening to the Mang.