15.0 Introduction
Hamai1, also known as Zeliangrong, has a unique history of religio-cultural continuity amidst change. In the course of extinction of several pre-Christian tribal religions of Northeast India, Characheng2 (primal religion of the Hamai) has been metamorphosed into Heraka3 and Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (TRC)4 religions, and internalised in Christianity5.
These two contemporary religious traditions have their foundation in primal Hamai religion. In addition, several elements from the dominant Christian and Hindu faiths have been appropriated in them. There is clear proof that Characheng (primal Hamai religion), while losing the battle against Christianity, has several elements accommodated in the latter, and such a development is noticed even at present in Hamai society. Likewise, the Hamai religion has evolved into two religious traditions, Heraka mainly in Nagaland and Assam, and TRC in Manipur. They are the antitheses, the counter-proselytising forces against the dominant Christian conversion in Hamai society (see Dangmei 2019:59). Despite Heraka and Tingkao Ragwang’s resistance against Christianity, they are hugely influenced by Christian beliefs and practices, leading to a syncretic understanding of religious faith and commitment. Hence there is a circular yet asymmetric convergence, divergence, and interaction among primal Hamai religion, Christianity, Heraka, and Tingkao Ragwang. Thus, this chapter attempts to explore and analyse the influence of these religions on one another. For this purpose, the researcher employs comparative and dialogical methods to study the nature and extent of interconnection and influence of these religious faiths on one another.15.1
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