Eram Khonglam
Eram Khonglam is the term used for the canals and water system that are both natural and man-made and that run through the settlements of villages and towns in Manipur
Eram Khonglam is the term used for the canals and water system that are both natural and man-made and that run through the settlements of villages and towns in Manipur
In ancient times, these water canals were considered to be a very important feature of a clan and people depended on them for their gardens, fishing and also as a source of drinking water. These water bodies are all interconnected and running, and therefore provide a much needed source of clean and fresh water for every household. The system of Eram khonglam is more important in the valley settlements than in the hilly regions as they do not have access to streams.
Eram Khonglam is also associated with spiritual beliefs in Manipur and they were often regarded as the abode of wild spirits. People believe that if a human performs any malicious deeds in these sacred systems of water, for example defecating in the water or polluting it with other substances, then they will be confronted by the spirits of the waterways. If they had encountered these spirits then they would often show symptoms of sickness called ‘Erai khonglai’ (leprosy) and could only be cured after conducting rituals and making anoffering to the spirits near the water body for forgiveness.
Today in Imphal city, these water bodies have been replaced by modern drainage systems which often do not function properly, thus leading to clogged and contaminated gutters full of dirt and unmanaged waste.
