William Pettigrew: Mythicizing the Man and His Work

Abstract

William Pettigrew was the first missionary to work among the hill tribes of the former Manipur Kingdom in India. He arrived in Manipur in 1894, established a mission center in 1896, married Alice Goreham later that year, and lived in Manipur until 1933. He did pioneering works in various fields—religion, education, literature, and social services. This article gives an overview of his work and achievements, an episodic narrative of his life among the hill tribes (who were once known as headhunters), and a critique of how he is remembered by the peoples he served.