Shmuel Sumthang Haokip

 

(Biography submitted by his son David Haokip)

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Sum Samuel (Sumthang) Haokip was born on June 13, 1942, in Phalbung, Bongjang village, Senapati District, Manipur, India.

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In 1969, he wed Miriam Ngailam Singson, the daughter of the chief of Bethel village in Churachandpur, and fathered seven children: 1) Asha, 2) David, 3) Sarah, 4) Mala, 5) Shlomo, 6) Lily, 7) Hannah, and 8) Yael, all of whom immigrated to Israel.

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Contribution to Judaism

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The Manmashi tribe, under British colonial rule, was designated as "Kuki," signifying a nomadic group that migrates in pursuit of fertile land for agriculture. Circa 1890, Christian missionaries commenced the conversion of the Manmashi Tribes, identified as Kuki, Chin, and Mizo.

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The Manamashi tribes possessed a distinctive custom and traditional lifestyle akin to the laws delineated in the Tanakh, in contrast to their neighboring tribes, such as the Burmese, Manipuris, and Nagamise, who adhered to idol worship.

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The Manmashi tribe (Kuki, Chin, Mizo) invoked "One high above rulers—ChungMangpa" during natural calamities such as earthquakes, tornadoes, severe wars, or life-threatening situations that could annihilate the community. An elder or chief would rise, gaze towards the heavens, and declare, "We, the children of Manmassi, are still alive," after which the community would miraculously be spared from disaster.

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The Manmashi customs and traditions were deeply intertwined with biblical laws; therefore, despite the advent of Christianization among the Manmashi tribes, their true origins remained intact, ultimately culminating in a rhetorical inquiry by researchers among their tribe.

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Their journey commences in Israel, tracing the exile of the tenth tribe in 721 BC, proceeding to Afghanistan, then to Kaifeng, China, and culminating in Burma and Northeast India.

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Despite their customs and traditions resembling those of ancient Jewish practices documented in the Tanakh, after 2700 years of exile, their facial features are akin to those of Mongoloid descent. Additionally, their standard of living in isolated regions complicates the assertion that they are among the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel.

Furthermore, the pervasive influence of Western Christianization has led to a societal reluctance to assert their identity as a lost tribe of Israel.

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In these critical circumstances, Sum Shmuel Haokip and his two associates, T. Daniel Lhungdim and Yosef Lhanghal, resolutely endeavored to reclaim their history back to Menashe, son of Yosef.

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The three friends convened continuously to deliberate on the lost tribe of Israel. The culmination of their efforts was the publication of their research work "Israel Ihiuve," meaning "We Are Israel," in 1974, which became a focal point of discussion among the Manmashi Kuki tribe in Manipur.

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To acquire a precise and unequivocal account of the early history of Bnei Menashe Judaism, one must be familiar with a summary of its pioneers. organized based on contribution advantages.

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T. Daniel Lhungdim, a bachelor's degree holder, has extensively studied world history and endeavors to explore every facet of it. His fieldwork examines the historical context of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo relationship in relation to ancient Israelite. He examined the Encyclopedia Britannica and various texts from the Churachandpur College library and studied many more books on Jewish history to expand his knowledge.

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 His enthusiasm to investigate the origins of Manmashi prompted him to travel to Bombay and Calcutta in late 1960 to acquire all pertinent sources and information regarding the ten lost tribes of Israel and their association with the Manmashi tribe.

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Yosef Jangkhothang Lhanghal, the eldest of three friends, possessed the compelling oratory skills necessary to persuade others. He served as a preacher in, CHURCH OF GOD, and amassed extensive knowledge of the Bible; however, he relinquished his priesthood to concentrate on uncovering their ancestral roots in Manmashi. Consequently, his counsel was embraced by his friends.

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He has occupied a dual role as a speaker and advisor since the establishment of UJNEI on October 10, 1974, and, depending on the circumstances, he counsels his associates to assume appropriate positions tailored to each individual.

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T. Daniel Lhungdim was advised against contesting the presidency, suggesting that the position be allocated to another significant individual to facilitate the expansion of the Judaism Community.

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 Yosef Lhanghal's counsel was acknowledged by his peers, and in 1975, following the removal of V.L. Binyamin from the presidency of MJO, Yosef Lhanghal visited him and encouraged him to join and lead the UJNEI organization.

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Sum (L) Shmuel Haokip is the sibling of esteemed cabinet minister Holkhomang Haokip. He was a vocalist, an educated individual, a JB teacher, and a highly successful businessman in a government-registered teak business.

 

As a gifted vocalist and performer, he earned the position of confidant to (L) Daniel Lhungdim, his mentor and godfather. His associate, (L) Joseph Lhanghal, stated that they had faith in T. Daniel's ability and eventually contributed to the establishment of the Judaism community in North East India.

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Sum (L) Samuel Haokip sacrificed his time and interests to engage in business with the aim of encouraging his contemporaries to embrace Judaism, and he pledged to donate a portion of land for a synagogue should his mission succeed.

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Fortune rewards his sacrifices, and without hesitation, he honors his commitments by donating a site for a synagogue in B. Vengnom Tuibuong in 1977; however, the construction was completed in 1986.

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The synagogue retains the name Beith Shalom, given by Isaac Caustil, an Indian Jewish individual. Married to Bina Caustil, sister of V.L. Binyamin, they visited the synagogue in 1978, which was then rented in New Lamka at Phunglen resident. To this day, the Beith Shalom synagogue in B. Vengnuom plays a significant role in promoting Judaism in Northeast India and has become a gateway to Zion.

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On January 11, 1989, Sum Shemuel Haokip succumbed to his illness without realizing his aspiration to immigrate to Israel, the land he had held dear throughout his life. Kinking village, Churachandpur, is the site of his burial.

 

However, his efforts were not in vain, as his wife and children successfully immigrated to Eretz Israel. Sum Shemuel left behind a legacy that endures among the Bnei Menashe in Israel and the diaspora.