Gender identity and social status through the performance: Nupa Amaibis and Nupi Amaibis of Manipur -Vandana Wahengbam
Gender Identity and Social Status through the Performance pdf Research Scholar, Manipuri Dance, Sangit Bhavan, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India Abstract: The paper delves into the rich spiritual tradition of the Amaibis, the shamans of Manipur with special emphasis on the compelling presence of the Nupa Amaibis, a figure that offers a transformative perspective on gender and ritual performance in Meitei society. Unlike the exclusively male role of the Amaiba, the Amaibi tradition is marked by its inclusively, embracing both Nupa Amaibis (male bodied shaman who embody feminine role) and Nupi Amaibis (female bodied shamans). This framework underscores deeply embedded gender fluidity within the ritual ethos of Lai haraoba, a festival that celebrates the mythic origins and spiritual cosmology of the Meitei people. The Nupa Amaibi, in the context not only fulfills sacred duties but also embodies the idea of gender as a sacred and performative construct resonating with contemporary gender Read More …