SonOfZeus at 09:58, 28 December 2022

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{{About|a collection of stories from the [[Meitei mythology]]|the [[Greek mythology]]|Epic cycle}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Infobox folk tale
|Folk_Tale_Name = Epic cycles of incarnations
|Image_Name = KHAMBA THOIBI EPIC - THE DANCE BEFORE THE KING.jpg
|Image_Caption = [[Khuman Khamba]] and [[Moirang Thoibi]] dancing before the King of [[Moirang]]
|AKA =
* Epic cycles of rebirths
* Epics of seven incarnations
* Moirang Saion ({{lang-omp|Moilang Saion}})
* Moirang Shaion ({{lang-omp|Moilang Shaion}})
* Moirang Sayon ({{lang-omp|Moilang Sayon}})
* Moirang Shayon ({{lang-omp|Moilang Shayon}})
|Mythology = [[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]])
|Country =
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Manipur (stripes variant).svg}} [[Ancient Kangleipak]] (historical)
* {{IND}} (present)
|Region = [[Moirang]], [[Manipur]]
|Origin_Date =
|Published_In =
|Related = [[Meitei folklore]] ([[Manipuri folklore]]), <br /> [[Meitei literature]] ([[Manipuri literature]])
}}
{{Meitei mythology}}
In [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]], the '''epic cycles of incarnations''' ({{lang-omp|Moilang Saion, Moilang Shaion}}, {{lang-mni|Moirang Sayon, Moirang Shayon}}) refer to the epic of seven [[incarnation]]s (nine in some versions) of two divine lovers in the kingdom of Moirang{{efn|[[Moirang]] was an independent kingdom in early times, though later became a province of a unified kingdom, called [[Manipur Kingdom]].}} in the realm of [[Ancient Kangleipak]] (early [[Manipur]]).<ref name=":Oinam">{{Cite book |last1=Oinam |first1=Bhagat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X31aDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA236 |title=Northeast India: A Reader |last2=Sadokpam |first2=Dhiren A. |date=2018-05-11 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |year=2018 |isbn=978-0-429-95320-0 |pages=236, 237 |language=en |quote=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.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Datta |first=Amaresh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ObFCT5_taSgC&dq=epic+cycle+incarnations+moirang&pg=PA349 |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo |date=1987 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=1987 |isbn=978-81-260-1803-1 |location=India |pages=349 |language=en |quote=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. |author-link=Amaresh Datta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Kaushal |first1=Molly |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zf1jAAAAMAAJ |title=Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition |last2=Arts |first2=Indira Gandhi National Centre for the |date=2001 |publisher=[[Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts]] |isbn=978-81-246-0182-2 |location=India |pages=71 |language=en }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Pattanayak |first1=Debi Prasanna |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4AzaAAAAMAAJ&q=epic+cycle+incarnation+moirang |title=Indian Folklore |last2=Claus |first2=Peter J. |date=1981 |publisher=[[Central Institute of Indian Languages]] |others=Original from:[[Indiana University]] |year=1981 |location=India |pages=8 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Jādava |first=Kiśora |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JvESAQAAIAAJ&q=epic+cycle+incarnations+moirang |title=Folklore and Its Motifs in Modern Literature |date=1998 |publisher=Manas Publications |year=1998 |isbn=978-81-7049-086-9 |location=India |pages=69, 142 |language=en}}</ref>

== Contents ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Position{{efn|This position is just for mythological perspectives only. It is not corresponding to the historical datings.}}
! Title <br /> (in [[Ancient Meitei language|Ancient Meitei]])
! English translation
! Title <br /> (in [[Meitei language|Modern Meitei]])
! English translation
! Era
! Description
! Notes (if any)
|-
| 1st
| {{lang|omp|[[ꯑꯀꯣꯡꯆꯥꯝꯄ]] - [[ꯐꯧꯑꯣꯏꯄꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Akongchampa]] and [[Phouoipi]]}}
| {{lang|mni|[[ꯑꯀꯣꯡꯖꯥꯝꯕ]] - [[ꯐꯧꯑꯣꯏꯕꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Akongjamba]] and [[Phouoibi]]}}
| During the reign of [[Moilang]] King Iwang Puriklai Kaba Purang (917-981 AD)
| [[Akongjamba]], an already married handsome nobleman of Moirang, was captivated by goddess [[Phouoibi]], who loved him so much. Due to Akongjamba's failure to keep his words and the simultaneous cruel hospitality of Akongjamba's wife, goddess Phouoibi decided to leave her lover Akongjamba as well as the human world.
| <ref name=":Salwons_And_Langwons">{{Cite web |title=Salwons And Langwons Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 9 |url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.Salwons_And_Langwons_Moirang_and_Ebuthou_Thangjing_Part_9 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.e-pao.net}}</ref><ref name=":Oinam" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=62, 63 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 2nd
| {{lang|omp|[[ꯍꯦꯟꯁꯨꯅꯍꯥ - ꯂꯥꯏꯂꯧꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Hensunaha and Lailoulempi]]}}
| {{lang|mni|[[ꯍꯦꯟꯖꯨꯅꯍꯥ - ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯧꯂꯦꯝꯕꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Henjunaha and Lairoulembi]]}}
| During the reign of [[Moilang]] King Iwang Puriklai Telheiba (28-78 AD)
| [[Henjunaha Yangleingamba]] ({{lang-omp|[[Hensunaha Yangleingampa]]}}), a fatherless lad, was brought up by a poor widowed mother. [[Thongnang Lairoulembi]] ({{lang-omp|[[Thongnang Lailoulempi]]}}), a beautiful lady, was brought up by a rich father. [[Henjunaha]] got murdered by the evil spirits. Defying all the odds, [[Lairoulembi]] followed her lover by committing suicide, after which she faced troubles and adventures in the [[underworld]].
| <ref name=":Salwons_And_Langwons" /><ref name=":Oinam" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=63, 64, 65 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 3rd
| {{lang|omp|[[ꯈꯨꯌꯣꯜ ꯍꯥꯎꯄ - ꯌꯥꯏꯊꯤꯡ ꯀꯣꯅꯨ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Khuyol Haupa and Yaithing Konu]]}}
| {{lang|mni|[[ꯈꯨꯌꯣꯜ ꯍꯥꯎꯕ - ꯌꯥꯏꯊꯤꯡ ꯀꯣꯅꯨ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu]]}}
| During the reign of [[Moilang]] King Iwang Puriklai Sana Lakhwa (185-236 AD)
| [[Khuyol Haoba]] was the son of late Khundouremba ({{lang-omp|Khuntoulempa}}), a court official of Moirang. [[Yaithing Konu]] was the daughter of Luwang Huiningsumba ({{lang-omp|Luwang Huiningsumpa}}), an influential nobleman of Moirang. During escaping from the attempts to be killed by enemies, Khuyol Haoba fell in love with Yaithing Konu. Konu got married to another men but fate permitted Konu to unite with Haoba in the end.
| <ref name=":Salwons_And_Langwons" /><ref name=":Oinam" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=65, 66 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 4th
| {{lang|omp|[[ꯀꯇꯦꯡ ꯊꯥꯡꯆꯍꯟꯄ - ꯇꯣꯅꯨ ꯂꯥꯏꯆꯤꯡꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Kateng Thangchahanpa and Tonu Laichinglempi]]}}
| {{lang|mni|[[ꯀꯗꯦꯡ ꯊꯥꯡꯖꯍꯟꯕ - ꯇꯣꯅꯨ ꯂꯥꯏꯖꯤꯡꯂꯦꯝꯕꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi]]}}
| During the reign of [[Moilang]] King Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD)
| [[Kadeng Thangjahanba]] ({{lang-omp|[[Kateng Thangchahanpa]]}}) was a highly talented and skilful royal chief metalsmith appointed by King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba ({{lang-omp|Laiching Ningthou Punsipa}}) of Moirang. [[Tonu Laijinglembi]] ({{lang-omp|[[Tonu Laichinglempi]]}}) was the only daughter of Laijing Lakpa ({{lang-omp|Laiching Lakpa}}), a favourite nobleman of the King of Moirang. During the absence of Thangjahanba, his ladylove Tonu was 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 returned the lady to her true lover.
| <ref name=":Salwons_And_Langwons" /><ref name=":Oinam" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=66, 67 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 5th
| {{lang|omp|[[ꯈꯣꯡꯆꯣꯝꯄ - ꯄꯤꯇꯣꯡꯅꯨ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Khongchompa and Pitongnu]]}}
| {{lang|mni|[[ꯎꯔꯥ ꯅꯍꯥ ꯈꯣꯡꯖꯣꯝꯕ - ꯄꯤꯗꯣꯅꯨ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu]]}}
| During the reign of [[Moilang]] King Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD)
| [[Khongjomba]] (1210-1263 AD) was the biological son of King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba (1138-1210 AD) of Moirang and Lady [[Tonu Laijinglembi]], but he was born in the house of his foster father [[Kadeng Thangjahanba]], the second husband of Tonu Laijinglembi. [[Pidonnu]] (also spelled as "[[Pidonu]]" or "[[Pidongnu]]") was the daughter of a nobleman of Moirang. Born as a legitimate but unrecognized royal offspring, Khongjomba faced many atrocities from the heir apparent (adopted son of the king) for having love affairs with lady Pidonnu. Once the king of Moirang discovered that Khongjomba was his true son, the former immediately coronated the latter, thereby twisting the cruel heir apparent's fate.
| <ref name=":Salwons_And_Langwons" /><ref name=":Oinam" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=67, 68 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 6th
| {{lang|omp|[[ꯋꯥꯡꯂꯦꯟ ꯄꯨꯡꯇꯤꯟꯍꯟꯄ - ꯆꯛꯄ ꯌꯥꯏꯅꯨ ꯐꯤꯁꯥꯍꯩꯄꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Wanglen Pungtinhanpa and Chakpa Yainu Phisaheipi]]}}
| {{lang|mni|[[ꯋꯥꯡꯂꯦꯟ ꯄꯨꯡꯗꯤꯡꯍꯩꯕ - ꯁꯥꯞꯄ ꯆꯅꯨ ꯁꯤꯜꯍꯩꯕꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Wanglen Pungdingheiba and Sappa Chanu Silheibi]]}}
| During the reign of [[Moilang]] King Iwang Puriklai Ura Khongyamba (533-574 AD)
| [[Wanglen Pungdingheiba]] ({{lang-omp|[[Wanglen Pungtinhanpa]]}}) was a skilled craftsman known for making musical instrument pung. Lady [[Sappa Chanu Silheibi]] ({{lang-omp|[[Chakpa Yainu Phisaheipi]]}}) was a skilful weaving artisan. When the two talented young lovers had a competition of crafting their respective skills, due to some misunderstandings, Lady [[Silheibi]] got embarrassed and committed suicide. Upon discovering his lover's corpse in the pool of blood, [[Pungdingheiba]] followed her in a similar manner.
| <ref name=":Salwons_And_Langwons" /><ref name=":Oinam" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=68, 69 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 7th
| {{lang|omp|[[ꯈꯨꯃꯟ ꯈꯝꯄ - ꯃꯣꯏꯂꯥꯡ ꯊꯣꯏꯄꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Khuman Khampa and Moilang Thoipi]]}}
| {{lang|mni|[[ꯈꯝꯕ - ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ]]}}
| {{translation|[[Khamba Thoibi|Khamba and Thoibi]]}}
| During the reign of [[Moilang]] King Iwang Puriklai Chingkhu Telheiba (1083-1138 AD)
| Brought up by his elder sister, [[Khuman Khamba]], an orphan man, and Thoibi, the only princess of Moirang, fell in love with each other. After facing different adventures, conspiracies, cruelties, threats and even murder attempts, the two lovers succeeded to unite in the end.
| <ref name=":Salwons_And_Langwons" /><ref name=":Oinam" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_History_of_Manipuri_Literature/yiBkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |date=1996 |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=69, 70 |language=en}}</ref>
|}

== In popular culture ==
In popular culture, the epic cycles of incarnations appear in arts, books, movies, theatres and many others.
[[File:Manmohan Singh being presented a memento by the Governor of Manipur, Dr. S.S. Sidhu at the foundation stone laying ceremony of three projects the National Academy of Sports.jpg|thumb|300px|[[Manmohan Singh]], the then [[prime minister of India]], being presented a memento of a painting depicting [[Khuman Khamba]] capturing the ''[[Kao (bull)]]'', by Dr. [[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 Sports University|National Academy of Sports]], [[Convention Center]] and [[Manipur Institute of Technology]], in the [[Kangla]] in [[Manipur]] on 2 December 2006]]

* [[Khambana Kao Phaba (painting)]] - a 2001 Meitei oil canvas painting, by M Betombi Singh, depicting [[Khuman Khamba]] capturing the [[Kao (bull)]]
* ''"Kao, the sacred bull"'' - a 2011 [[Meitei language]] theatrical show, by the Laihui Ensemble, about [[Khuman Khamba]] capturing the [[Kao (bull)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.theatre.Kao_-_A_Glimpse_of_Manipuri_Opera|title=KAO - A Glimpse of Manipuri Opera|website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=announcements.Ann_2011.Ann_Kao_play_by_Laibui_20110223|title="Kao - the sacred bull" by Laihui on 6 March 2011|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>
* [[Phou-oibi, the Rice Goddess]] - a 2013 [[Meitei language]] [[ballad]] [[opera]]
* ''"[[Tonu Laijinglembi]]"'' - a 2014 [[Meitei language]] drama written by Sarangthem Bormani and directed by B Jugolchandra<ref>{{Cite web |last=Press |first=Imphal Free |title=MDU drama festival from March 21 – KanglaOnline |url=http://kanglaonline.com/2014/03/mdu-drama-festival-from-march-21/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Phouoibi Shayon]] - a 2017 [[Meitei language]] film
* ''"[[Tonu Laijinglembi]]"'' - a 2018 [[Meitei language]] drama, directed by L Bikram of the "Aryan Theatre, Imphal"<ref>{{Cite web |last=NEWS |first=NE NOW |date=2018-03-26 |title=Manipur Folk Drama Festival kicks off in Imphal |url=http://nenow.in/north-east-news/manipur-folk-drama-festival-kicks-off-imphal.html |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=NORTHEAST NOW |language=en-US}}</ref>
* ''"Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol"'' - a 2018 [[Meitei Mayek]] edition of the book "Tonu Laijinglembi Seitharol" written by Hijam Guno<ref>{{Cite web |title=Literary books in Meitei Mayek released : 29th apr18 ~ E-Pao! Headlines |url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=19..290418.apr18 |access-date=2022-10-27 |website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Literary books in Meitei Mayek released – Manipur News |url=http://www.manipur.org/news/2018/04/28/literary-books-in-meitei-mayek-released/ |access-date=2022-10-27 |language=en-US}}</ref>
* ''"Kao Faba"'' - a 2020 [[Meitei language]] [[Shumang Kumhei]], performed by Western Cultural Association, about [[Khuman Khamba]] capturing the [[Kao (bull)]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=23..031020.oct20|title=Kao Faba displayed|website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2020/10/2/-Kao-Faba-displayed.amp.html|title=Kao Faba displayed|website=www.thesangaiexpress.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2020/10/2/-Kao-Faba-displayed.html|title=Kao Faba displayed|website=thesangaiexpress.com}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of epics in Meitei language]]
* [[Numit Kappa]]
* [[And That Is Why . . . Manipuri Myths Retold]]
* [[The Tales of Kanglei Throne]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Cite web |title=Manipuri Literature in History 4 |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Arts_and_Culture.Manipuri_Literature_in_History.Manipuri_Literature_in_History_4 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web |title=Indian Folk Epics |url=http://www.ciil-ebooks.net/html/folklore1/epics.htm |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=www.ciil-ebooks.net}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Deal with the Devil]]
[[Category:Epic cycles of incarnations]]
[[Category:Heroes who ventured to Hades]]
[[Category:History of Manipur]]
[[Category:Indian folklore]]
[[Category:Love stories]]
[[Category:Marriage and religion]]
[[Category:Meitei folklore]]
[[Category:Meitei literature]]
[[Category:Meitei mythology]]
[[Category:Mythological lovers]]
[[Category:Recurrent elements in fairy tales]]
[[Category:Recurring elements in folklore]]
[[Category:Tropes]]
[[Category:Witchcraft in folklore and mythology]]

Epic cycles of incarnations - Revision history

SonOfZeus at 09:58, 28 December 2022