Niamtre
| Niamtre | |
|---|---|
| Type | Traditional religion |
| Language | Khasi |
Niamtre is the indigenous religion practiced by the Jaintia people of Meghalaya, India. This religion is known for its deep connection to nature, ancestral worship, and local traditions.
Beliefs
[edit]Niamtre is centered on a belief in a supreme deity, U Tre Kirod, considered to be the creator of all things. Followers of Niamtre believe in the presence of multiple spirits that inhabit various elements of nature, such as rivers, forests, and mountains, which play a crucial role in the lives of the Jaintia people.[citation needed]
Rituals and Practices
[edit]Central to Niamtre are rituals that honor ancestors and nature spirits. The Jaintia people perform seasonal ceremonies to ensure a harmonious balance between humans and nature. These rituals are often conducted at sacred groves, known locally as 'Law Kyntang,' which are regarded as holy sites.[citation needed]
Festivals
[edit]
One of the major festivals celebrated by Niamtre followers is the Behdienkhlam, a festival intended to drive away diseases and invoke a prosperous harvest season. The festival involves traditional dances, rituals, and prayers to U Tre Kirod for protection and prosperity. Participants from different villages gather to partake in various ceremonial events, including the ritual of “Khnong” or log-pulling, which symbolizes the driving away of evil spirits.[citation needed]
Another notable festival is Chad Sukra which marks the beginning of the sowing season. Observed with traditional music and dances, Chad Sukra is a time to seek blessings for good weather and a bountiful harvest, and it plays a key role in maintaining harmony between people and nature.[citation needed]
Connection with Nartiang Temple
[edit]
Followers of Niamtre have a longstanding connection with the Nartiang Durga Temple, located in the Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya. Although primarily dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, the temple is also significant to Niamtre practitioners, who historically worshipped at the site. The Jaintia kings, who were followers of Niamtre, established the temple in the 17th century, blending local beliefs with Hindu practices. This shared space illustrates the syncretism between Niamtre and Hinduism, where both religious traditions are practiced in a harmonious manner.[citation needed]
During festivals like Behdienkhlam, Niamtre practitioners sometimes make offerings at the Nartiang Temple, believing that their prayers reach a shared divine presence. The stone monoliths around Nartiang, which represent ancestral spirits, are also respected by both Hindu and Niamtre followers, symbolizing the unity between ancestral reverence and divine worship.[citation needed]
During the Durga Puja festival, the Durga idol is not used in the Nartiang temple. Instead a trunk of a banana tree is used, this is done because Niamtre followers do not worship idols. [1]
The soil and water from the Syntu Ksiar River in Jowai and Myntang River from Nartiang village was also collected for the Bhumi Pooja of Ayodhya Ram temple.[2]
Demographics
[edit]The followers of Niamtre are primarily found among the Jaintia people of Meghalaya, particularly in the Jaintia Hills region.[citation needed] As per the 2011 census, there are 81,000 people in Meghalaya following the Niamtre religion. Their population has been declining.[3]
Recognition
[edit]Niamtre is not recognised as a minority religion by the state or central government. The niamtre followers have been demanding it.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Bhattacherjee, Niloy (2020-10-28). "Amid Dampened Spirits Due to Covid-19, Tribal Hindus in Meghalaya Celebrate Durga Puja Sans the Gourd". News18. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ Das, Manosh (2020-07-28). "Meghalaya: Soil, water from Jaintia Hills for Ram temple 'bhumi pujan'". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ "Religion Data of Census 2011: XXX ST Meghalaya". Retrieved 2024-11-03.
- ^ Rashir, Princess Giri (2022-05-25). "Meghalaya: HYC wants Centre to notify Khasi indigenous faith as minority". EastMojo. Retrieved 2024-11-03.