Women have significant roles in different elements of Meitei culture, including Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology, Meitei religion, etc.
Women have significant roles in different elements of Meitei culture, including Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology, Meitei religion, etc.
Besides natural elements and phenomena personified as divine feminine beings, venerated and worshipped by the Meitei people in Meitei religion, many women are also deified to the same status. The personality of Imoinu, Panthoibi and Phouoibi shows as well as influences the boldness, courage, independence, righteousness and social honour of Meitei women. [1]
Leimarel Sidabi (Meitei : ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ ), also known as Leimalel Sitapi (Meitei : ꯂꯩꯃꯂꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯇꯄꯤ), is an ancient Meitei goddess associated with earth, nature and the household. In Meitei mythology and the religion of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur), she is the highest female divinity as well as is revered as the mother of every living being in the universe. [2] [3] [4] [5]
Imoinu , also spelled as Emoinu (Meitei : ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ ), is an ancient Meitei goddess, associated with household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity. [6] [7] [8] In Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur), she is also identified as a form of goddess Leimarel Sidabi. [9] [10]
In Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur), Panthoibi (Meitei : ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ , romanized: Paanthoibee, Old Manipuri : ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯢꯄꯤ , romanized: Panthoipi ), also known as Nongpok Leima ( Meitei for 'Queen of the East'), is an ancient Meitei goddess associated with civilization, courage, fertility, handicraft, love, victory, warfare and wisdom. [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] She is considered to be a divine incarnation of goddess Leimarel Sidabi as well as that of Nongthang Leima. [16]
In Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur), Phouoibi , also known as Phouleima , is an ancient Meitei goddess associated with agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvest, paddy, rice and wealth. [17] [18] [19] [20]
The Meitei Chanu (poem) depicts the feminization of the Meitei language and Meitei literature. Its opening lines notably shows the idea of a culture that is prevalent in the form of a shrine (Meitei : ꯂꯥꯏꯁꯡ, ꯂꯥꯏꯁꯪ, romanized: laishang [21] ). The very literary temple refers to the remaining empty without a goddess (Meitei : ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ, romanized: lairembi [22] ) for a very long period of time. This metaphor shows significant transformation in history as "Ema" (Meitei : ꯏꯃꯥ, romanized: /í.ma/, lit. 'mother' [23] ) or the "Meitei Chanu" (Meitei : ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯆꯅꯨ, romanized: /mə́i.təi cə.nu/, lit. 'Meitei Lady') re-occupies the temple. The reasons why she could enter into her past shrine once again are because of the western education, their imitations and the feminization of language and literature. [24]
In the 2010s, Ima Thoinu, a traditional Moirang Sai singer, got only a few students to learn the endangered art form, which was the only means to keep it alive. A small group of performers are again learning the nearly extinct art form of the Moirang Sai to save it from total extinction. The art form was outstandingly revived due to the hard works of Mangka Mayanglambam (Meitei : ꯃꯪꯀꯥ ꯃꯌꯥꯡꯂꯝꯕꯝ), a traditional Meitei folk singer and artist of the "Laihui" (Meitei : ꯂꯥꯏꯍꯨꯏ). Mangka is re-popularising the nearly extinct art form among the present youth once again. [25] [26] [27]
The Ima Market (Meitei : Ima Keithel , lit. ' Mothers' Market '), also known as the Nupi Keithel ( Meitei for ' Women's Market ') or the Khwairamband Keithel ( Meitei for ' Khwairamband Market '), [28] in Imphal, [29] [30] is the only market in the world run entirely by women. [31] Inside the market, male shopkeepers and vendors are not allowed to sell anything. [32]
The three major building complexes of the Ima Market are named after three prominent ancient Meitei goddesses, who are Leimarel Sidabi (for Market No. 1), Emoinu/Imoinu (for Market No. 2) and Phouoibi (for Market No. 3). [33]
Ima Keithel is a classic example of the long-lasting tradition of business management done by Meitei women in Manipur. Traditionally, Meitei women always enjoyed high status in the economy of the society. Women lead the trade and commerce in food and vegetables, household things and clothes in Meitei society. [34] In history, it is the symbol of the empowerment and the leadership prospects of Meitei women in Manipur. [35]
The Meira Paibi ( Meitei for ' torch holding woman') are traditional Meitei women's social organisations and their movements in Manipur.They originated during the times when there were no artificial light available or rare in Manipur, hence the womenfolk used handmade torches to light the paths. They work against many different social evils, like the misuse of military powers by the Indian Army in Manipur, India. They are called the "Guardians of the society". The name comes from the burning torches that the women carry. The torch has become the symbol of peaceful protest for justice at all levels of life. [36] [37] [38]
Miss Meetei Chanu , also spelled as Miss Meitei Chanu , is an international annual beauty pageant that is run by the Manipur based Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung (LSSP), aiming to make Meitei women understand the culture and tradition of Sanamahism (traditional Meitei religion). [39] [40] [41]
The Meitei people, also known as Meetei, Manipuri people, are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group native to the Indian State of Manipur. They form the largest and dominant ethnic group of Manipur in Northeast India. They speak the Meitei language, one of the 22 official languages of the Republic of India and the sole official language of Government of Manipur. The Meiteis primarily settled in the Imphal Valley region in modern-day Manipur, though a sizeable population has settled in the other Indian states of Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram. There is also a notable presence of Meiteis in the neighbouring countries of Myanmar and Bangladesh. The Meiteis represents about 53% of Manipur's population.
Sanamahism, also known as Meiteism, or Lainingthouism is an ethnic religion of the Meitei people of Manipur, in Northeast India. It is a polytheistic religion and is named after Lainingthou Sanamahi, one of the most important deities of the Meitei faith. Sanamahi is the eldest son of the supreme god Sidaba Mapu and the supreme goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Traditionally every Meitei household, irrespective of the religion, worships Sanamahi and Leimarel Sidabi. Sanamahism does not have a religious head but has a body, the Maru Loishang, that oversees the main religious activities and governs all affairs of the religion, including the conduct of priest and priestess. The Maru Loishang also acts a court for religious disputes. There are three main departments under the Manu Loishang, namely, the Amaiba Loishang, the Pena Asheiba Loishang, and the Amaibi Loishang. These departments have existed since the reign of King Meidingu Hongnemyoi Khunjao Naothingkhong of Manipur in 662 CE.
Imoinu or Emoinu is a goddess associated with household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. She is frequently associated with Leimarel Sidabi. She is regarded as one of the incarnations or representations of goddess Leimarel Sidabi.
Leimarel Sidabi or Leimalel Sitapi is a goddess in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. She is the highest female divinity in the Meitei pantheon. She is the goddess of earth, of nature and the household. She is revered as the mother of every living being in the universe.
Panthoibi, also known as Nongpok Leima, is a goddess associated with civilization, courage, fertility, handicraft, love, victory, warfare and wisdom in the mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak. She is a consort of the God Nongpok Ningthou. She is considered to be one of the divine incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi and is also identified as a form of Goddess Nongthang Leima. She is worshipped mainly by the Meitei people in Manipur, Assam, Tripura, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Imoinu Iratpa or Emoinu Iratpa or Wakching Taranithoini Pānba is a religious festival celebrated by the Meitei people. It is a festival of lights dedicated to the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Imoinu Ahongbi. The festival is celebrated on the twelfth lunar day of Wakching month of Meitei calendar. The festival is celebrated in Manipur, Assam and Tripura states in North Eastern India and observed by some in the neighboring Myanmar. The festival involves sacrifices and prayers to the goddess, followed by various other cultural events.
The Ima Market, also known as the Nupi Keithel or the Khwairamband Keithel, is a women-only market in the middle of Imphal in the Indian state of Manipur. It is the only market in the world run entirely by women. Inside the market, male shopkeepers and vendors are not allowed to sell anything. The Government of Manipur has announced that the male shopkeepers and vendors will be punished if their shops and vendors are found inside the market. It is a commercial center and a popular tourist attraction in the state of Manipur. It was established in the 16th century and hosts around 5,000–6,000 women vendors who sell a variety of products. Products such as vegetables, fruits, textiles, toys, fish, spices and utensils are available in the market. It is the largest all–women market in Asia.
Miss Meetei Chanu or Miss Meitei Chanu is an international annual beauty pageant that is run by the Manipur based Lainingthou Sanamahi Sana Pung (LSSP). The event aims to make Meitei women understand the culture and tradition of Sanamahism. It is one of the most watched beauty pageants in North East India. It co-exists with Miss Manipur, Femina Miss India Manipur and Miss Kangleipak.
Dragons play a significant role in the legendary accounts of Meitei folklore, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) of Ancient Kangleipak, Medieval Kangleipak and Modern Kangleipak.
Phouoibi or Phouleima is the goddess and the female personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvest, paddy, rice and wealth in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak . She is the lover of Akongjamba, a hero in ancient legends. But fate does not permit the lovers to unite. So, Phouoibi and Akongjamba reincarnated in the legends. She was sent by Thangching to Moirang) kingdom to make the human world prosperous. The legends of her love with Akongjamba were believed to be enacted by Thangching as a part of the Moirang Saiyon legends.
Akongjamba was a nobleman in Ancient Moirang in Meitei mythology. He was a lover of the harvest Goddess Phouoibi. According to mythology, fate did not permit the lovers to unite, so they reincarnated. The lives of the two legendary lovers were believed to be enacted by Thangjing as a part of the epic cycles of incarnations.
Yumjao Leima or Yumjao Lairembi or Yumjao Lairemma is the mother goddess of house, household, royalty, rule and power in Meitei mythology and religion. She is designated as the all time ruling Queen Mother. Legend says she assumes a human form in white clothes and blesses kings. She is one of the divine incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi.
Laikhurembi is a goddess in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. She is the goddess of justice, good counsel, divine law, order and secrecy. She is the chief Queen of God Thongaren . She is the daughter of Lairen Humchouba. She is one of the divine incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi. She is one of the most important Umang Lais. Her pantheon is maintained particularly by the Taibungjam clan of Meitei ethnicity.
Market goddesses or merchant goddesses are the goddesses known for keeping different market shops in Meitei mythology and religion Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur. Different sources have different answers to how many shopkeeping goddesses there are. They are Cheng Leima, Chinga Leima, Heipok Leima, Hei Leima, Laa Leima, Phu Leima, Pishum Leima, Thangching Leima, Waisheng Leima, Waithou Leima and Waal Leima.
The ancient legend of Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi is an epic cycle of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore from Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the fateful love of Kadeng Thangjahanba, a skilled blacksmith, for the beautiful Tonu Laijinglembi.
The ancient legend of Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu is an epic cycle of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore from the Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak. It concerns the love and adventures of the forgotten prince Ura Naha Khongjomba for the beautiful woman Pidonnu.
The Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) is a temple development board of the Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple, Haying Khongban Uphong Yumpham, Imphal West district of Kangleipak (Meitei for 'Manipur'). It is dedicated not only to God Lainingthou Sanamahi and Goddess Leimarel Sidabi of Sanamahism, but also to the other ancient Meitei gods and goddesses of the traditional Meitei religion.
Meitei festivals are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the Meitei people, an ethnic group native to the Indian state of Manipur. The festivals often celebrate events from Ancient Manipur and often coinciding with seasonal changes. These festivals reflect the unique customs and traditions of the Meitei community, and are celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal. There are various festivals celebrated throughout the year, each with its own significance and rituals.
'Ima Keithel' at Khwairamband Bazar is the only market in the world where, as the name suggests, all the stalls are run by women.
Ima Keithel Market, Imphal, Manipur Ima market or Nupi Keithel, in Imphal, Manipur, is the only all-women marketplace in the world.
The world famous Ima Keithel, the only unique women ́s market in the world, situated at the heart of the capital : It was established in 1636 AD by king Khagemba as a part of his ...
The Ima market or Ima keithel is a unique marketplace exclusively run by women.
... the names of the three Ima Markets as Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel for Market No. 1, Imoinu Ima Keithel for Market No. 2, and Phouoibi Ima Keithel for Market No. 3.