Archive · 24 Aug 2026
How Indigenous Sacred Traditions Endure Across the North East
Long ago, many communities in the North East had their own gods, spirits, and sacred places.
They believed that nature, including mountains, rivers, and forests, could be holy.
Later, religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Vaishnavism became important in different areas.
These newer religions did not always erase the older beliefs.
At Kamakhya, older and newer traditions became connected.
Donyi-Polo helped organize indigenous traditions in Arunachal Pradesh.
The Mawphlang forest stayed protected as a sacred place.
Sanamahism is also being revived by the Meitei people in Manipur.
The article says religious history in the region is better understood as layers living together than as one belief replacing another.
Northeastern communities developed distinct cosmologies, sacred customs, spirits, deities, and ritual practices before newer religions arrived.
The region had no single universal indigenous religion, but many communities shared the belief that nature and surrounding places were sacred.
At Kamakhya in Assam, scholars describe Brahmanical and non-Brahmanical traditions as intertwined rather than simply replacing one another.
Donyi-Polo organized and preserved indigenous traditions in Arunachal Pradesh, while sacred landscapes persisted alongside Buddhism and Christianity elsewhere.
Sanamahism continues alongside Manipuri Vaishnavism in Manipur, showing how older traditions can become expressions of modern identity.
- Who
- Indigenous communities of the North East, including the Khasi, Jaintia, Monpa, and Meitei peoples.
- What
- The article examines how indigenous religious traditions persisted, changed, or were revived alongside newer religions.
- When
- The traditions began before the formation of temples, monasteries, and churches; their preservation and revival continued into the 20th century and the present.
- Where
- Across the North East, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Manipur.
- Why
- Indigenous beliefs endured because they were incorporated into other traditions, reorganized institutionally, preserved in sacred landscapes, or revived as expressions of identity.
- Central idea
- Religious history in the North East is presented as layering rather than straightforward replacement.
- Kamakhya
- Brahmanical and non-Brahmanical traditions are described as intertwined.
- Donyi-Polo
- Its institutional form emerged in the 20th century as communities sought to preserve their traditions during social and religious change.
- Mawphlang Sacred Forest
- The forest is preserved as a sacred space by traditions associated with Khasi and Jaintia communities.
- Sanamahism
- The Meitei tradition existed before Vaishnavism and now coexists with Manipuri Vaishnavism.
- Sacred landscape
- Mountains, rivers, forests, and other places remain important elements of regional religious continuity.