Phungyo Baptist Church is a Baptist Church in Ukhrul, Manipur, India. It was constructed and established, when Reverend William Pettigrew baptized and converted twelve Tangkhul Naga to Christian faith in 1901. [1]
Phungyo Baptist Church is a Baptist Church in Ukhrul, Manipur, India. It was constructed and established, when Reverend William Pettigrew baptized and converted twelve Tangkhul Naga to Christian faith in 1901. [1]
"Phungyo", a term derived from "Beautiful Hill" was given by Reverend William Pettigrew, when Hunphun (Ukhrul headquarter) elders told Pettigrew that a beautiful mount or hill is known as Phungyo in Tangkhul-Naga dialect. [2] The Church, Phungyo Baptist Church, is constructed on this hill; hence, the name. The first Christian Church in Manipur, the church trace its origin to 29 September 1901, when 12 Tangkhul men were converted to Christianity by Pettigrew. The birth of Christianity among the Tangkhuls is therefore associated with this conversion. Baptized at Ngayira Rakhong (Ngayira Spring Pond), the first converts include, Hollei Rumthao, Sangmayang Kashung, Ramkaiphang Samrar, Leishisan Shaiza, Maninglum Kashung, Mangaleng Shaiza, Sakhayang Awungashi Shimray, Shangam Kasar, Kaphungkui Chiphang, Haora Mahongnao, Mashokring Kasomhung, and Thiksha Shokchui Kapai. [2] Women later followed the step, and ten of them converted to Christianity in 1910. Baptized by Pettigrew, they include, Sanamla Ragui, Mahongai Rumthao, Horngaila/ Harngaila Singnaisui, Lanotla Samrar, Charoni Ngakang, Ngalew Ngakang, Kasuni Ngakang, Shareila Muirung, Lasengla Kasomwoshi, and Mikngaola Shingnaisui. The first Phungyo Church that the converts attended were made of mud walls, and having left in ruins by Allied air raid in search of Japanese forces during the second World War, the present (standing) church was reconstructed, and inaugurated by Kanrei Shaiza on 7 February 1977. [2]
Conversion to Christianity disallowed many of the customs and culture followed by the Tangkhuls as part of their traditions. According to Shaiza, these include "maintenance of mohawk hairstyle (Hao Kuiret), brewing and drinking rice beer (Khor), attending traditional educational schools (Longshim), and participating in the death ritual ceremony (Kathi Kasham)", [2] making the Tangkhuls to forego these customs and culture. The Western Missionaries disallowing such customs and traditions made Phungyo Baptist Church to grow along the lines of Western-Christian norms. Spiritual growth was further received in 1923, when the Church experienced the outbreak and spread of revivalism through the work of Ruichumhao Rungsung, Ninghei Luikham, Miksha Kashung Shimray and Thisan Luikham. This spiritual growth was met with severe challenges, when L.L. Peters, the then SDO of Ukhrul District (1924) issued "Orders to stem out Christian religion in Ukhrul District". [2] Some Christian Pioneers like Thisan Luikham and Amayar A. Shishak suffered severely under these orders. However, such orders only made the Tangkhuls to become stronger in faith, and multiply. The spread in faith culminated towards establishing Phungyo Christian Endeavour or CE (for Youth) by on 7 July 1910; and the Women Society of Phungyo Baptist Church on 31 August 1917. The Phungyo CE was renamed as Phungyo Baptist Youth Society in 1983. [2]
Although singspiration formed one of the most important form of worshiping among the Christian Tangkhuls, there was no organized Church Choir before 1952 at Phungyo Baptist Church. The CE later took the initiative of organizing a Church Choir, marking the birth with celebration at Pakahao Samrar's place (Alungtang Colony), on the second Sunday of March, 1953. Marking this Sunday as the 'Choir Raising Day', the second Sunday of March is observed as the birth day of the Church choir every year. [2] The Church hosted the Tangkhul Baptist Long (TBL) Centenary from 7 March to 10 March 1996, to celebrate one hundred years of the Tangkhuls becoming Christians. The Phungyo Church centenary in the meantime was celebrated from 27 – 29 September 2002. [2] Owing to the strong faith and the efforts of the Church, Tangkhuls have the Holy Bible and Christian Hymnals in their own dialect. The Holy Bible was published in the Tangkhul dialect by the Bible Society of India, and although it still requires revision on a wide scale, it serves as the basic and most vital book of the Tangkhuls and of the Church.
The Meitei Christians are a Christian movement based in Manipur, in India.
Ukhrul District is an administrative district of the state of Manipur in India with its headquarters at Ukhrul, that is Hunphun. The district occupies the north-eastern corner of the state and it extends between latitudes of 24° 29′ and 25° 42′ N and longitudes 94° 30′ and 94° 45′ E approximately. It shares an international boundary with Myanmar (Burma) on its eastern side and is bounded by Nagaland state in the north, Senapati district and Kangpokpi district in the west and Kamjong district in the south. It has the distinction of being the highest hill station of Manipur. The terrain of the district is hilly with a varying heights of 913 m to 3114 m (MSL). Ukhrul, the district HQ., at an altitude of 2020 m (MSL) is linked with Imphal, the state capital by NH 202 which is about 84 kilometres apart. The district covers an area of 4,544 square kilometres including Kamjong district making it the second largest district of the state after Churachandpur district and has a population of almost 1,83,998 according to Census of India 2011 comprising about 6.44 per cent of the total state population. The Tangkhul Naga tribe constitute the major bulk of the population with other communities such as Kukis, Nepalese and other non-tribals constituting a small percentage of the district population. Administratively, the district which comprises around 200 villages was divided into five sub-divisions, where their boundaries were coterminous with that of the Tribal Development Blocks. There was no statutory town in the district except one census town which was formed in 2011 Census. Recently, Kamjong district was carved out from Ukhrul District as a separate district. Ukhrul District has three assembly constituencies before the bifurcation of the district which are Phungyar Assembly Constituency (43-ST), Ukhrul Assembly Constituency (44-ST) and Chingai Assembly Constituency. The district is best introduced by its rare Shirui Lily,. Also, the district has provided two of Manipur's chief ministers and the only from amongst the hill districts of Manipur, Yangmaso Shaiza the first tribal chief minister of Manipur and Rishang Keishing who is also the first MP from Outer Manipur. William Pettigrew (missionary), an educationist and a Scottish-British Christian Missionary pioneered the western system of education and introduced the Christianity faith among the Tangkhal Naga tribe. Phungyo Baptist Church, Tangrei, Ukhrul, the oldest and the first Christian church of Manipur which still stands today is a testament to his passion for missionary work.
The Tangkhuls are a major ethnic group living in the Indo-Burma border area occupying the Ukhrul and Kamjong district in Manipur, India and the Somra tract hills, Layshi township, Homalin township and Tamu Township in Burma. Despite this international border, many Tangkhul have continued to regard themselves as "one nation". Tangkhuls living in Burma are also known as Hogo Naga/Eastern Tangkhul/Somra Tangkhul. Also Kokak Naga and Akyaung Ari Naga are included tribally within Tangkhul Naga tribe but their language are quite distinct. The Tangkhul (Somra/Hogo) language in Myanmar is very different from Tangkhul (Ukhrul) spoken in India. The villages in the north like Jessami, Soraphung and Chingjaroi (swimi) have quite a different culture than the main Tangkhul group but have more cultural ties with that of the Chakhesang poumai tribes.
Talui is the second biggest township in Ukhrul district, Manipur state, India. According to 2011 census, Talui has 820 households with the total population of 4296 of which 2232 were male and 2064 female. It is a beautiful township situated at an altitude 3500 ft. above the sea level. It is surrounded by four mountain ranges. On the north is the Torei Kaphung, on the east is the Nilai Kaphung, on the west is the Malew Kaphung and on the south is the Ngainga Kaphung. Neighboring villages of Tolui are Ngainga, Halang, Phungcham Hoomi and Somdal.
Yangmaso Shaiza (1923-1984) was an Indian politician from the state of Manipur. He was the fourth chief minister of Manipur, and the first tribal politician from the hilly regions of Manipur to hold that post.
Christianity is the second-largest religion in Manipur, a state of India in its Northeast region, according to 2011 census data published by the Government of India.
The Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India is a Baptist Christian denomination in North East India. It is a member of the Asia Pacific Baptist Federation. It is also a member body of the North East India Christian Council, the regional council of the National Council of Churches in India. The Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India has six Baptist conventions, 1,431,417 members in 8,245 churches.
Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) is a Baptist Christian denomination in Manipur, India. As of 2020, it had 1,449 churches and 216,429 baptized members. It is under the Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast India (CBCNEI). The convention is also a member of Asia Pacific Baptist Federation (APBF) and Baptist World Alliance (BWA). The General Secretary of the Manipur Baptist Convention is Wungnaoting Konghar.
Peh pronounced "Pe-h" is a village in Ukhrul District, Manipur, India. The village was earlier called 'Paoyi', which is a misconstrued derivative of the original name 'Pehyi' given by outsiders. Peh is approximately 35 kilometers north of Ukhrul district headquarter. The village is partially connected by National Highway 150, Imphal–Kohima via Ukhrul–Jessami Highway. The village comprises two settlement areas: Proper Peh and Peh Ngahurum. The total population of the village is around 3800. The village panchayat (Sangvui) consists of the representative from different clans headed by an elected chairman is the Apex body of the village. All administrative, political and judicial decisions are taken by them. The judiciary functions are partly performed in the name of King (raja); also known as the khulakpa.
Tangkhul is a Sino-Tibetan language of the Tangkhulic branch. It is spoken in 168 villages of Ukhrul district, Manipur, India, with speakers scattered in Nagaland and Tripura as well.
Somdal also called as Shongran is a village located west of Ukhrul in Ukhrul district, Manipur state in India. As per 2011 census, the village has a total of 468 families of 2375 persons of which 1209 are male while 1166 are female Of the total population, 13.14% are in the age group of 0–6 years. The average sex ratio of the village is 964 female per 1000 male. The literacy rate of the village is 92.39%.
Phalee also called as Phadang is a village located west of Ukhrul in Ukhrul district, Manipur state in India. It lies in the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hot-Spot Region of the world wherein the flora and fauna diversity are very rich. It occupies total area of about 49 sq. km. It has Red Sandy Soils and annual rainfall of 2000-2400mm. It has subtropical pine forest climate with distinct four seasons. The average temperature is in the range of 23°C. It experienced reverse monsoon in winter and four distinct seasons. As per 2011 census, the village has a total of 794 households with 3742 persons of which 1934 are male while 1808 are female. Of the total population, 11.60% are in the age group of 0–6 years. The average sex ratio of the village is 904 female per 1000 male. The literacy rate of the village is 81.35%.Phalee is flanked by Ngaimu and Tolloi in the East, Somdal and Hoomi north, Tuinem and Lamlang in the south and Champhung and Tora in the west. The village is assumed to be more than 600 years (approximate) since the first settler settled in relation to the sixteen generation back. The village has a total of 794 households with 3742 persons of which 1934 are male while 1808 are female.
Ngainga also called Ngaimu is a village located west of Ukhrul in Ukhrul district, Manipur state, India. The village is approximately 17 kilometers from Ukhrul. As per 2011 census, the village has a total of 267 households with 2881 persons of which 964 are male while 917 are female. Of the total population, 323 are in the age group of 0–6 years. The average sex ratio of the village is 1015 female per 1000 male which is higher than the state's average of 930. The literacy rate of the village is 92.22%. Neighbouring villages of Ngainga are Seikhor, Tolloi, Phalee Somdal and Tuinem. Ngainga is the birthplace of Luingamla who was shot dead on 24 January 1986 by Indian army personnel for resisting their attempt to rape her.
Phungyar is a small town located south of Kamjong in Kamjong district, Manipur state, India. It is also the name of a sub division of the district. The town is about 50 kilometers from Ukhrul and is partially connected by National Highway 150 that connects Imphal and Kohima via Ukhrul and Jessami. The town is flanked by Khambi in the south, Loushing in the north and alang in the west. Locally, the inhabitants speak common tangkhul language and native village dialect which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family.
Seikhor is a village located west of Ukhrul in Ukhrul district, Manipur state, India. The village falls under Ukhrul sub division. Seikhor is partially connected by the old Imphal-Ukhrul road and is about 18 kilometers from Ukhrul. Seikhor is flanked by Pharung in the east, Teinem in the west, Tashar in the south and Ngainga in the north. Locally, the inhabitants speak Seikhor dialect that belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family.
Champhung is a village located extreme west in Ukhrul district, Manipur. The village is connected by an inter village road and is about 43 kilometers from the district headquarters. Champhung is flanked by Tora in the north, Somdal and Phalee in the east, Leisan in the south-west and Senapati district in the west.
The Reverend William Pettigrew was a British Christian missionary who came to India in 1890, eventually introducing western education in Manipur, and converting the Tangkhul Naga Tribe, inhabiting Ukhrul District to Christianity, "in masses".
Kamjong District is a district in Manipur state, India created by splitting Ukhrul district.
Khamlang village is situated on the southern part of Ukhrul District, Manipur, India. It is inhabited by Khameon a Tangkhul Naga tribe. It is situated 2 km away from headquarter of Sub-Division, Kasom Khullen, 137 km away from district headquarter Ukhrul and 59 km from state capital Imphal, Manipur.
Youth dormitories are a traditional institution among several tribal socities of the world including the various tribes of India, the tribes of South-East Asia, and the native Americans.