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(Redirected from Epic cycles of incarnations) Old Meitei epic tales of seven cycles of incarnations of two divine lovers "Epic cycles of incarnations" redirects here. For the Ancient Greek epic poems, see Epic Cycle. Meetei Mayek This article contains the Meitei alphabet. Without proper rendering support, you may see errors in display.

Epic cycles of incarnations
Khuman Khamba and Moirang Thoibi dancing before the King of Moirang
Folk tale
NameEpic cycles of incarnations
Also known as
MythologyMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology)
Country
RegionMoirang, Manipur
RelatedMeitei folklore (Manipuri folklore),
Meitei literature (Manipuri literature)
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A tableau depicting Meitei divine mythical beings, like Hiyang Hiren and Pakhangba.
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In Meitei mythology and folklore, the epic cycles of incarnations in Moirang (Meitei: Moirang Shayon, Moirang Sayon; Old Manipuri: Moilang Shaion, Moilang Saion) is a cyclic epic of seven incarnations (nine in some versions) of two divine lovers in the kingdom of Moirang in the realm of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur).

Contents

Akongjamba and Phouoibi (ꯑꯀꯣꯡꯖꯥꯝꯕ - ꯐꯧꯑꯣꯏꯕꯤ)

During the reign of King Iwang Puriklai Kaba Purang (917-981 AD), Akongjamba, a handsome, married nobleman of Moirang, was captivated by the goddess Phouoibi, who fell in love with him. Due to Akongjamba's failure to keep his word and the cruelty of Akongjamba's wife, Phouoibi decides to leave the human world as well as her lover.

Henjunaha and Lairoulembi (ꯍꯦꯟꯖꯨꯅꯍꯥ - ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯧꯂꯦꯝꯕꯤ)

Main article: Henjunaha and Lairoulembi

During the reign of King Iwang Puriklai Telheiba (28-78 AD), Henjunaha Yangleingamba, a fatherless lad, was brought up by a poor widowed mother. He loved Thongnang Lairoulembi, a beautiful lady brought up by a rich father. Henjunaha is murdered by evil spirits. Lairoulembi follows her lover by killing herself, after which she faces troubles and adventures in the underworld.

Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu (ꯈꯨꯌꯣꯜ ꯍꯥꯎꯕ - ꯌꯥꯏꯊꯤꯡ ꯀꯣꯅꯨ)

Main article: Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu

During the reign of King Iwang Puriklai Sana Lakhwa (185-236 AD), Khuyol Haoba, was the son of late Khundouremba, a court official of Moirang. Yaithing Konu was the daughter of Luwang Huiningsumba, an influential nobleman. During an escape from a murderous attack by his enemies, Khuyol Haoba falls in love with Yaithing Konu. Konu is married, but fate permits Konu to unite with Haoba in the end.

Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi (ꯀꯗꯦꯡ ꯊꯥꯡꯖꯍꯟꯕ - ꯇꯣꯅꯨ ꯂꯥꯏꯖꯤꯡꯂꯦꯝꯕꯤ)

Main article: Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi

During the reign of King Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD), Kadeng Thangjahanba is a talented and skilful royal chief metalsmith appointed by King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba. He loves Tonu Laijinglembi, the only daughter of Laijing Lakpa, a favourite nobleman of the King of Moirang. During the absence of Thangjahanba, Tonu is married to the King of Moirang, who was unaware of the relationship between the two lovers. Once the king found out the truth, he generously returns the lady to her true lover.

Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu (ꯎꯔꯥ ꯅꯍꯥ ꯈꯣꯡꯖꯣꯝꯕ - ꯄꯤꯗꯣꯅꯨ)

Main article: Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu

During the reign of King Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD), Khongjomba (1210-1263 AD) was the son of King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba and Lady Tonu Laijinglembi, but he was born in the house of his foster father Kadeng Thangjahanba, the second husband of Tonu Laijinglembi. Pidonnu was the daughter of a nobleman. Born as a legitimate but unrecognized royal offspring, Khongjomba faced abuse from the king's adopted son and her for his love affair with Lady Pidonnu. When the king discovers the truth, he his true son Khongjomba crowned as the sovereign of Moirang, discarding his adopted heir.

Wanglen Pungdingheiba and Sappa Chanu Silheibi (ꯋꯥꯡꯂꯦꯟ ꯄꯨꯡꯗꯤꯡꯍꯩꯕ - ꯁꯥꯞꯄ ꯆꯅꯨ ꯁꯤꯜꯍꯩꯕꯤ)

Main article: Wanglen Pungdingheiba and Sappa Chanu Silheibi

During the reign of King Iwang Puriklai Ura Khongyamba (533-574 AD), Wanglen Pungdingheiba was a skilled maker of pung (a type of drum). Lady Sappa Chanu Silheibi was a skilful weaver. The two lovers compete to determine who can perform their craft the fastest. Due to a misunderstanding, Lady Silheibi believes she is being mocked for her defeat and kills herself. Upon discovering his lover's corpse in a pool of blood, Pungdingheiba follows her.

Khamba Thoibi (ꯈꯝꯕ - ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ)

Main article: Khamba and Thoibi

During the reign of King Iwang Puriklai Chingkhu Telheiba (1083-1138 AD), Khuman Khamba, an orphan raised by his elder sister, and Thoibi, the only princess of Moirang, fall in love. After facing different adventures, conspiracies, cruelties, threats and even murder attempts, the two lovers are united.

In popular culture

In popular culture, the epic cycles of incarnations appear in arts, books, movies, theatres and many others.

Manmohan Singh, the then prime minister of India, being presented a memento of a painting depicting Khuman Khamba capturing the Kao (bull), by Shivinder Singh Sidhu, the then Governor of Manipur and Okram Ibobi Singh, the then Chief Minister of Manipur, on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of three projects, National Academy of Sports, Convention Center and Manipur Institute of Technology, in the Kangla in Manipur on 2 December 2006

See also

Notes

  1. Moirang was an independent kingdom in early times, though later became a province of a unified kingdom, called Manipur Kingdom.

References

  1. "Glimpses of Manipuri Language, Literature, and Culture". Manipuri Sahitya Parishad. 1970. p. 15. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
  2. ^ Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (11 May 2018). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. pp. 236, 237. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0. Numerous manuscripts of the Moirang region dwell on the theme of love. One of the most popular stories refers to the seven pairs of lovers who are regarded as incarnations of the same souls in different generations or age.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. Datta, Amaresh (1987). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 349. ISBN 978-81-260-1803-1. The epic ballad cycle of the incarnations of Moirang which is nine in number according to some and only seven according to others is a grand majestic saga of the eternal triangle in which generations after generations would find reflections of the various hopes, ideals and aspirations of each age.
  4. Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. India: Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. p. 71. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.
  5. Pattanayak, Debi Prasanna; Claus, Peter J. (1981). Indian Folklore. Original from:Indiana University. India: Central Institute of Indian Languages. p. 8.
  6. Jādava, Kiśora (1998). Folklore and Its Motifs in Modern Literature. India: Manas Publications. pp. 69, 142. ISBN 978-81-7049-086-9.
  7. ^ "Salwons And Langwons Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 9". www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  8. ^ Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Original from:the University of Michigan. India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 62, 63. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  9. "KAO - A Glimpse of Manipuri Opera". e-pao.net.
  10. ""Kao - the sacred bull" by Laihui on 6 March 2011". e-pao.net.
  11. Press, Imphal Free (15 March 2014). "MDU drama festival from March 21 – KanglaOnline". Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  12. NEWS, NE NOW (26 March 2018). "Manipur Folk Drama Festival kicks off in Imphal". NORTHEAST NOW. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  13. "Literary books in Meitei Mayek released : 29th apr18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  14. "Literary books in Meitei Mayek released – Manipur News". 28 April 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  15. "Kao Faba displayed". e-pao.net.
  16. "Kao Faba displayed". www.thesangaiexpress.com.
  17. "Kao Faba displayed". thesangaiexpress.com.

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