Vaiphei Bible Translation

Manipur is a state located in northeast India and is bordered by the Indian states of Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram, and with the country of Myanmar. The state has a population of approximately three million with about 43,000 of these speaking the Vaiphei tribal language. Tribal groups (such as the Vaiphei) make up around forty-one per cent of the population; these tribal groups often have dialects and cultures which are village based.

Manipur has a generally mild climate, although it can be cold in the hills. The state can almost be considered as two regions: the rugged hills and narrow valleys which surround the Manipur River Valley, and an inner area of flat plain containing the Loktak Lake, source of the Manipur River. Agriculture and forestry are the main sources of income, with rice being the major crop. Tigers, leopards, and wild buffalo can be found in Manipur. Manipur’s isolation from the rest of India has resulted in limited communications within the state.

The majority of the people are Meitei, who largely occupy the Manipur valley and are predominantly Hindus. Indigenous hill tribes make up the rest of the population. Christianity was introduced by Protestant missionaries in the nineteenth century and most of these hill tribes claim Christianity, making it the second largest religion in Manipur at forty-one per cent.

Christianity first spread in Manipur in the late 1800s. Several mission societies had tried to enter the area earlier, but until the end of the nineteenth century they were not allowed access due to strong opposition from the raja and local people. From 1835 the British stationed a political agent in Manipur; however the officials of the time had a social policy that they should not interfere with anyone’s religion but maintain strict neutrality.

We give thanks to God that the Vaiphei Bible was recently approved by the Society for publication. The Vaiphei Bible Revision Committee are currently proofreading and checking the typeset text, although their work has been hindered since early May 2023 by the violent unrest occurring in Manipur.