What is Maibi?
{{Further|Maibi Jagoi}} [[File:Lai_Haraoba-3_-_5571676820.jpg|thumb|center|Maibis performing [[Maibi Jagoi]] (priestesses' dance)]] A '''Maibi''' or an '''Amaibi''' is a female priestess or a nun who uphold the sacred rites and rituals of [[Sanamahism]] ([[Meitei religion]]).<ref>{{cite book| last = Longkumer| first = Arkotong| title = Reform, Identity and Narratives of Belonging: The Heraka Movement in Northeast India| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=6SzC4XbtPKkC&pg=PA75| year = 2011| publisher = A&C Black| isbn = 978-1-4411-8734-5| page = 75 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| last = Vatsyayan| first = Kapila| title = A Study of Some Traditions of Performing Arts in Eastern India: Margi and Desi Polarities : Banikanta Kakati Memorial Lectures, 1976| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=I-ELAAAAIAAJ| year = 1981| publisher = Department of Publication, University of Gauhati| isbn = }}</ref> Their lives and duties encompass a wide range of activities to the spiritual life of the [[Meitei ethnicity]]. They play significant role in the [[Lai Haraoba]] festival to please the [[Umang Lai]]s and the [[Lam Lai]]s.<ref>{{cite book| title = Indian Linguistics| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=fCmz4B8I62QC| year = 2008| publisher = Linguistic Society of India.| isbn = }}</ref><ref>{{cite book| author = Dr. Yumlembam Gopi Devi| title = Glimpses of Manipuri Culture| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gxqeDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA75| publisher = Lulu.com| isbn = 978-0-359-72919-7| page = 75 }}</ref> [[Maibism]] or Maibi culture is a dominant feature in [[Sanamahism]].<ref>{{cite book| title = Indian Anthropologist: Journal of the Indian Anthropological Association| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=hYrYfD_xZsoC| year = 2008| publisher = Indian Anthropological Association| isbn = }}</ref> The male counterpart of a Maibi is a [[Maiba]]. [[File:The_tableau_of_Manipur_passes_through_the_Rajpath_during_the_full_dress_rehearsal_for_the_Republic_Day_Parade-2017,_in_New_Delhi_on_January_23,_2017.jpg|thumb|center|upright=2.