RaushanYoganta at 22:19, 28 March 2026

2026-03-28T22:19:51Z

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{{short description|Meitei Goddess}}
{{About|a goddess|the [[Meitei language]] film|Imoinu (film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Meitei
| name = Imoinu
| deity_of = Goddess of household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity
| member_of = [[Lairembi]]s
| image = Emoinu - Goddess of wealth.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = A terracotta idol of goddess Imoinu
| other_names =
* Imoinu Ahongbi
* Emoinu Ahongbi
| hiro =
| Old_Norse =
| script_name =
| script =
| affiliation = [[Sanamahism]]
| cult_center = 
| abodes = Phunga Lairu ([[fireplace]]), [[Sanamahi Kachin]] and [[Kitchen]]
| planet = 
| weapon = 
| battles =
| artifacts = [[Piggy bank|Coin container]]s
| animals =
| symbols = Senphu ([[Piggy bank|Coin container]]), Chengphu (Rice pot) and Yotsabi ([[Tripod]])
| adherents =
| height =
| age =
| tree =
| day =
| color = 
| number =
| consort = 
| parents =
| siblings =
| offspring = 
| predecessor =
| successor =
| army =
| mount =
| texts = [[PuYa]]s
| gender = Female
| Greek_equivalent = [[Hestia]]
| Roman_equivalent = [[Vesta (mythology)|Vesta]]
| Etruscan_equivalent =
| Christian_equivalent =
| Slavic_equivalent =
| Hinduism_equivalent = [[Lakshmi]]
| Canaanite_equivalent =
| equivalent1_type =
| equivalent1 =
| equivalent2_type =
| equivalent2 =
| region = [[Manipur]]
| ethnic_group = [[Meitei ethnicity]]
| festivals = [[Imoinu Iratpa]]
}}

{{Meitei mythology}}
{{Sanamahism}}
'''Imoinu''' or '''Emoinu''' ({{langx|mni|ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ}}) is a goddess associated with household, [[hearth]], family, [[fireplace]], kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity in [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Sanamahism|religion]] of [[Ancient Kangleipak]] ([[Antique Manipur]]).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hy3_AwAAQBAJ&dq=emoinu&pg=PT44|title=Highway on my Plate - II: the indian guide to roadside eating|last1=Singh|first1=Rocky|last2=Sharma|first2=Mayur|date=2014-07-25|publisher=Random House India|isbn=978-81-8400-642-1|pages=44|language=en}}</ref><ref name="A Hymn for Goddess Emoinu">{{Cite web|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.A_Hymn_for_Goddess_Emoinu|title=A Hymn for Goddess Emoinu|website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/meiteis-celebrate-emoinu/cid/1627030|title=Meiteis celebrate Emoinu|website=telegraphindia.com}}</ref> She is frequently associated with [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. She is regarded as one of the incarnations or representations of goddess [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gxqeDwAAQBAJ&q=imoinu+goddess+association+Leimarel+Sidabee+representations+aspects+earth+goddess&pg=PA23|title=Glimpses of Manipuri Culture|last=Devi|first=Dr Yumlembam Gopi|date=16 June 2019 |publisher=Lulu.com |isbn=978-0-359-72919-7|language=en}}</ref><ref name="e-pao.net">{{Cite web|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.books.emoinu|title=EMOINU AHONGBI THOUNIROL (A Traditional adoration to Goddess Emoinu)|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

In [[Meitei mythology]], Imoinu is known for her sense of [[humor]]. Generally, she is portrayed as "an old woman", as her name means "[[great grandmother]]" in [[Meitei language]].

The personality of Imoinu and other goddesses like [[Panthoibi]] and [[Phouoibi]] depict as well as influence the [[:en:wikt:boldness|boldness]], courage, independence, [[:en:wikt:righteousness|righteousness]] and social honour of [[Meitei people|Meitei women]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sIEOy8SRLv8C&q=emoinu+shows+that+Meitei+women+are+bold+%2C+courageous+%2C+independent+and+enjoy+their+due+rights+and+have+an+honourable+place+in+the+society+&pg=PA24|title=Women's Role in the 20th Century Manipur: A Historical Study|last=Kipgen|first=Tingneichong G.|date=2010|publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-7835-803-1|language=en}}</ref>

== Etymology and nomenclature ==
The meaning of the name "Emoinu Ahongbi" ("ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ ꯑꯍꯣꯡꯕꯤ") can be found by splitting it up word by word. Here, "E" ("ꯏ") refers to human being. "Moi" ("ꯃꯣꯢ" or "ꯃꯣꯏ") refers to [[:en:wikt:rear|rearing]]. "Nu" ("ꯅꯨ") refers to female deity or goddess. So, "Emoinu" means ''goddess who rears the human beings''. "Ahongbi" means ''giver of plentiful household properties''.<ref name="e-pao.net"/>

The name ''Imoinu'' (''Emoinu'') stands for the goddess rearing the human beings. The first-word syllable ''E'' (/ee/) means human beings, ''moi'' (/moy/) meaning rearing and ''nu'' meaning Goddess.<ref name="e-pao.net"/>

''Ahongbi'' means giver of the household properties plentifully. ''Ibendhou'' (''Ebendhou'') meaning great-grandmother.<ref name="e-pao.net"/>

== Description ==
Dr. Parratt described Emoinu Ahongbi (alias Emoinu Ahong Achaubi) as another form of Goddess [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. Leimarel Sidabi is the supreme mother. Imoinu is regarded as an ever resourceful lady. She always gives wealth and prosperity to the mankind. She was shown as having a human appearance. She resides near the fire hearth. The goddess is believed to be the controller and regulator of good conduct and behavior of the human beings.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.461915/page/n75/mode/2up?q=Imoinu|title=A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy|via=archive.org|date=August 1991 |pages=75}}</ref>

Imoinu Ahong Achaubi is a deity for good moral behavior, besides wealth and prosperity. As a social code of conduct, a Meitei woman should go out from home only after prayers and worship of the goddess and other household deities. When she returns home, she should pray to the deity.<ref name="archive.org">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.461915/page/n165/mode/2up?q=Imoinu|title=A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy|via=archive.org|date=August 1991 |pages=165}}</ref>

The [[Meitei people]] believed that goddess Imoinu lives in the houses of those who strictly obey her favorite social and moral behavior norms. Imoinu blesses such people with ''nungai yaifaba'' (well being and prosperity), ''watta padaba'' (having neither shortage nor excess), ''tekta kaidaba'' (unaffected by troubles of life) and ''punshi nungshangba'' (long life). These are the basic needs of life in the human world.<ref name="archive.org"/>

== Mythology ==
According to ancient Meitei text ''"Lairembi Nongumlol"'', the Sky God [[Salailen Sidaba]] has seven daughters, whom he sent them down to earth to prosper the human civilization. All the goddesses were given a certain task to serve in their future. In that event, a goddess was given the task to be associated with peace, wealth and prosperity. Later, she came to be known as "Emoinu Ahongbi".

=== Origin ===
After the creation of the sky and the planets, [[Atingkok|Sidaba]] ({{langx|omp|Sitapa}}) (the Supreme Being) ordered His wife, [[Leimarel Sidabi]] ({{langx|omp|Leimalel Sitapi}}) (the first woman) to produce another Leimarel. The second Leimarel would be the second woman. Her responsibility was to take care of the mankind on the planet called [[earth]]. Goddess Leimarel Sidabi obeyed her divine husband's order. She created another Leimarel. The appearance of the second Leimarel was similar to the first Leimarel. The first Leimarel named the second Leimarel as ''"Emoinu Ahongbi"''.<ref name="e-pao.net"/>

=== Lover ===
Once goddess Imoinu fell in love with a man. The two became lovers. They swore to be husband and wife. One day, she visited his house in his absence. She discovered that he was already married to another woman. After knowing this, she sacrificed her love. She swore on not to see the man again. She never married to anyone. So, she remained as a virgin goddess.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H0moDAAAQBAJ&q=Imoinu+goddess+fell+in+love+swore+She+visited+the+house+of+the+man+in+his+absence+and+found+that+he+was+already+married.+After+discovering+this+she+sacrificed+her+love+and+swore+not+to+see+the+man+again.&pg=PT246|title=The Peripheral Centre: Voices from India's Northeast|last=Gill|first=Preeti|date=2014-02-13|publisher=Zubaan|isbn=978-93-83074-65-5|language=en}}</ref>

== Worship ==
=== Ancient worship ===
Imoinu (Emoinu) is a hearth deity. She is annually worshipped on the 12th of the [[Meitei calendar|Meitei month of Wakching]] (December–January interface month). She is also worshipped daily, as part of a Meitei ritual. It is done in every Meitei household with the offering of a little cooked rice before eating.<ref name="Oral Narratives of Manipur">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1356/page/n231/mode/2up?q=Emoinu|title=Oral Narratives of Manipur|via=archive.org|year=2016 |pages=231}}</ref>

=== Modern worship ===
Nowadays, there is little or no households with proper phunga lairu (traditional fire hearth). So, a modern fireplace is developed. Here, traditional rites and rituals are performed in honor of the goddess.<ref name="Oral Narratives of Manipur"/>

There are a lot of changes in the way of worshipping Goddess Imoinu. However, the essence and the importance always remain the same as forever.<ref name="Oral Narratives of Manipur"/>

=== Abode ===
There are two major places in a household where the deity could be worshipped:-
* One abode is at the fireplace ''"Phunga Lairu"'' of the kitchen of the household.
* Another place is at the "''Sanamahi Kachin''", the South western corner of the household.

=== Ritual ===
''Ebendhou Emoinu'' is offered from the first serving of every meal prepared in a Meitei household. The serving is made by placing three servings of the cooked [[rice]] on a plate that is set aside. These offerings should be only [[vegetables|vegetarian foods]] or [[fish]].

The household members are asked to maintain discipline, be respectful, and be tidy so as to please Emoinu.

== Festival ==
{{Main|Imoinu Iratpa|Meitei calendar}}
The ''Imoinu Iratpa'' (''Emoinu Eratpa'') is a religious festival dedicated to goddess Imoinu (Emoinu). It is celebrated on the 12th of Wakching month (December–January interface month) every year. Traditionally, worship and prayers are performed inside every households. Nowadays, Imoinu Iratpa festival is also celebrated in a larger way in public gathering clubs also.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=1..080120.jan20|title=Emoinu day|website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/ge.asp?heading=Snipp10&mx=&src=150122|title=Emoinu Eratpa celebrated|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

Wherever the festival is performed, seasonal fruits, vegetables and fish are offered to goddess Imoinu.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=7..030115.jan15|title=Imoinu Iratpa extensively held all over|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

''[[Imoinu Iratpa]]'' is observed every 12th day of the [[Meitei people|Meitei]] lunar month, '''Waakching''' (Dec-Jan in gregorian calendar).<ref>{{cite web|title=Observance of festival of Emoinu|url=https://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Manipur_and_Religion.A_Hymn_for_Goddess_Emoinu|website=E-Pao|publisher=Nabakumar Salam}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=7..030115.jan15|title=Imoinu Iratpa extensively held all over : 03rd jan15 ~ E-Pao! Headlines|website=e-pao.net}}</ref> On this day, especially at night, Emoinu is offered what each can, particularly fish curries as dinner for Emoinu and a variety of cuisines in odd numbers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/imoinu-iratpa|title=Imoinu Iratpa around the world in 2021|website=Office Holidays}}</ref>

== Namesakes ==
=== In commerce ===
[[Ima Keithel]] ({{langx|en|[[Mothers' Market]]}}) is the world's only women-run market. It has three major building complexes.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eENU_a8c79MC&q=ima+keithel+market+khwairamband+only+women+world&pg=PA974|title=Encyclopaedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh|last=Gupta|first=Om|date=2006|publisher=Gyan Publishing House |isbn=978-81-8205-389-2|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vjzcDAAAQBAJ&q=ima+market+nupi+keithel+only+women+world&pg=PT37|title=Vyapar Shastra|last=Shivhare|first=Vishal|date=2016-08-17|publisher=Jaico Publishing House|isbn=978-81-8495-898-0|language=en}}</ref><ref name="Singh">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kbu_AwAAQBAJ&q=ima+keithel+market+only+women+world&pg=PA4|title=The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious [sic] Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India|last=Singh|first=Dr Th Suresh|date=2014-06-02|publisher=Quills Ink Publishing|isbn=978-93-84318-00-0|language=en}}</ref> ''Imoinu Ima Keithel'' is the Complex Number 2 of the market. It is preceded by [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel]] (Complex Number 1) and followed by [[Phouoibi|Phouoibi Ima Keithel]] (Complex Number 3).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/all-women-imphal-market-reopens-after-10-months/articleshow/80974793.cms|title=All-women Imphal market reopens after 10 months|newspaper=The Times of India|date=16 February 2021 }}</ref> This 500 years old market is in the center of [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]].<ref name="Singh"/>

==See also==
* [[Lainingthou Sanamahi]]
* [[Pakhangba]]
* [[Kuru (mythology)|Atingkok Maru Sidaba]]
* [[Lists of deities in Sanamahism]]
* [[Lists of Creatures in Meitei Folklore]]
* [[Sanamahi creation myth]]
* [[PuYa|Sacred Scriptures of Sanamahism]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.310153 Emoinu Ahongbi Tungnapham by Budhichandra, Yumnamcha]
* [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466055 Holy Man by Dhiren Meitei, a.k]
* [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466636 Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul by Neelabi, Sairem]
* [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466654 Leeklam by Apunba Shintha Lup]

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
{{Wiktionary|Imoinu}}
{{authority control}}
* [http://e-pao.net/epSearchResults.asp?cx=partner-pub-3342616103029311%3A3788634109&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=Imoinu&sa.x=0&sa.y=0 E-pao, Imoinu]
* [http://e-pao.net/epSearchResults.asp?cx=partner-pub-3342616103029311%3A3788634109&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=UTF-8&q=Emoinu&sa.x=0&sa.y=0&siteurl=http%3A%2F%2Fe-pao.net%2F%3Ffrom%3Dmobile E-pao, Emoinu]
* [https://archive.org/search.php?query=Imoinu&sin=TXT Internet Archive, Imoinu]
* [https://archive.org/search.php?query=Emoinu&sin=TXT Internet Archive, Emoinu]
* [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%8F%EA%AF%83%EA%AF%A3%EA%AF%8F%EA%AF%85%EA%AF%A8&searchhws=yes Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary, Imoinu]
{{Sanamahi1}}
{{Meiteimyth navbox long}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meitei goddesses]]

Imoinu - Revision history

RaushanYoganta at 22:19, 28 March 2026