Islam
Islam of Manipur is a religion of a section of people who are
Mohammedans. All Manipuri Muslims read Koran. The holy book is translated
in Manipuri language. The days solemn business of daily routine of Musalman's
starts with the Lord's prayer. The Manipur Muslims observe two festivals
in a year. They are Ramjan or Roza Id and Bakrid. Haj pilgrimage is performed
by several Muslims in Manipur.
The male Muslim wear white
pyjama. The shirt or kurta and kisti cap are
common costumes. Many of them also wear long buttoned up coat or 'Achkan'. They
prefer to keep beard. Their head-dress is also a round conical cap which they
wear specially on ceremonial occasions. Rich people wear a special type of sheep
skin cap which is imported from Kashmir or Afghanistan. A Meitei Muslim woman
wears a fanek which is wrapped round her waist down to the foot. The upper body
is covered with a blouse. The white chader type piece of cloth is worn as
headdress. Some women wear sari and blouse. Pardah system is observed by most
of the elderly women. In some families where a 'Pardanasheen' (a lady in veil)
woman goes out of her home she covers her entire figure from the crown of her
head down to her feet. Muslims are the best in poultry. They rear buffaloes and goats. The flesh of
an animal is slaughtered by performing 'Halal' (to slaughter animal from throat). They are hard workers. They grow a variety of paddy crops. Women also take
part in field work. |