Bnei Menashe: Seeking Roots, Reuniting Families, and the Journey to Israel
In the northeastern states of Manipur and Mizoram in India, a community of around 5,000 people believes they are the descendants of the Manasseh, one of the biblical lost tribes of Israel. Known as the Bnei Menashe, translating to the “children of Manasseh,” they trace their roots back to the ancient Assyrian exile in 722 BC. Joseph Haokip, a 20-year-old undergraduate student, and Rafael Khiangte, a 37-year-old taxi driver, share the common dream of connecting with their ancestral land, Israel.
A Desire to Join the Israeli Army:
Joseph Haokip, recently returning to Manipur after escaping ethnic conflict, expresses his eagerness to go to Israel. He not only wants to reconnect with his lost tribe but also voices a readiness to join the Israeli army and contribute to the fight against Hamas. His sentiment reflects a strong connection to the land he believes he belongs to.
Reuniting Families Across Generations:
Rafael Khiangte, along with others from the Bnei Menashe community, desires to move to Israel to reunite with their ancestral roots. Khiangte, inspired by his mother’s relocation to Israel in 1993, seeks to provide a better future for his family while reuniting with a land they were separated from over 2,700 years ago.
Bnei Menashe’s Historical Beliefs:
PC Biaksiama, a Christian researcher in Aizawl, highlights that the Chin, Kuki, and Mizo ethnic groups in the region consider themselves descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. According to their historical narrative, these tribes were dispersed to China and eventually found their way to northeast India after the Assyrian invasion.
Lost Tribes of Israel:
In ancient times, Israel was divided into two kingdoms – the Kingdom of Judah in the south and the northern kingdom consisting of the so-called 10 tribes. The Assyrian invasion led to the exile of the tribes from the northern kingdom. The Bnei Menashe community believes they were among those dispersed, initially settling in China before arriving in northeast India.
A Longing to Reconnect:
The Bnei Menashe’s desire to move to Israel signifies a profound yearning to reconnect with their historical and cultural roots. Their belief in being part of the lost tribes showcases a strong connection transcending thousands of years, inspiring individuals like Joseph Haokip and Rafael Khiangte to embark on a journey of rediscovery.
Challenges and Cultural Identity:
While their belief system unites them, the Bnei Menashe face challenges, including skepticism and the need to navigate complex geopolitical realities. The journey to Israel is not merely a physical relocation but a quest for cultural identity and a sense of belonging.
Cultural Dispersal and Northeast India’s Rich Tapestry:
The dispersion of the supposed lost tribes from ancient Israel to China and then to northeast India adds a unique layer to the rich tapestry of the region’s cultural diversity. The Bnei Menashe’s narrative intertwines with historical events, creating a distinctive chapter in the broader context of cultural migrations.
In their pursuit of roots and identity, the Bnei Menashe community continues to grapple with challenges, weaving a story that spans millennia and resonates with the universal human quest for belonging and heritage.
