Pawsa Lava
Rev. Reginald Arthur Lorrain was a very brave man who even received a bravery award. Before coming to Maraland, he spent about four years in the United States and Canada, working in various jobs. His wife, Mrs. Maud Louise Lorrain—lovingly called Vaili Manô by the Mara people—was a faithful, sincere, and honest lady, often remembered as a heroic woman.
R. A. Lorrain (Vaili Mapaw) and Maud Louise (Vaili Manô) got engaged on 5th January 1899. After their engagement, Lorrain went to Canada and the USA, where he worked for about four years. When he returned to London, three years later, the couple were married by Rev. Hugh William at the Anerley Congregational Church, London, on 20th October 1906—seven years after their engagement.
After arriving in Maraland, R. A. Lorrain invented the Mara alphabet on 16th March 1908, about one and a half years after his arrival. In July 1908, he established the first school at the Mission Centre in Saikao village. By 1947, there were already 21 primary schools across Maraland.
R. A. Lorrain completed the Mara New Testament in 1926, and the Old Testament in 1951. Finally, in 1956, he published the complete Mara Holy Bible—one of the earliest complete Bibles in Northeast India.
He also compiled the Mara Hymn Book and wrote the Mara Grammar Book. In addition, he published a monthly magazine titled Krizyhpa Chiahmie.
R. A. Lorrain also authored the famous book Five Years in Unknown Jungle, and The Wonderful Story of the Lakher Pioneer Mission. Albert Bruce Lorrain Foxall wrote Sequel to Five Years in Unknown Jungles, while N. E. Parry authored The Lakhers. These books helped the world come to know the Mara people and Maraland.
Rev. R. A. Lorrain deeply loved the Mara people. He and his wife chose to be buried in Maraland after their death, rather than return to London—a true sign of their lifelong love and dedication to the Mara nation.
Source: Adona nata Ngâchhihna by Rev. NC. Beihrosia.
