SonOfZeus at 12:02, 26 March 2022

2022-03-26T12:02:48Z

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[[File:PRINCESS THOIBI TRICKED KONGYAMBA AND ESCAPED FROM HIM.jpg|thumb|300px|Princess [[Moirang Thoibi|Thoibi]] of [[Ancient Moirang]] is one of the incarnations of goddess [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel]].]]
[[Leimarel Sidabi]] ({{lang-mni|ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ}}) is the highest ranked mother goddess in [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei religion|religion]] ([[Sanamahism]]). She is known for having many [[:en:wikt:incarnation|incarnation]]s as divine ladies.<ref>Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. Incarnations of goddess [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel]]. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gxqeDwAAQBAJ&dq=panthoibi+goddess&pg=PA23|title=Glimpses of Manipuri Culture|last=Devi|first=Dr Yumlembam Gopi|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-0-359-72919-7|pages=23|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2ycajCKZOOoC&dq=Leimaren+manifests+herself+Lul+Leima+wealth+Ireima+water+Laan+industries+crafts+highest+female+form+basic+necessities+life+Meitei+social&pg=PA173|title=Traditional Institutions of Meghalaya: A Case Study of Doloi and His Administration|last=Gassah|first=L. S.|date=1998|publisher=Regency Publications|isbn=978-81-86030-49-3|pages=173|language=en}}</ref> Each of her incarnations are for the welfare of the mankind. For this reason, she is known as ''Langon Yambi Ima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯂꯥꯡꯉꯣꯟ ꯌꯥꯝꯕꯤ ꯏꯃꯥ}}, lit. ''The Divine Mother who incarnates herself in many divine forms'').<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.461915/page/n74/mode/1up?q=Leimalel+manifesting+divine+ladies+benefit+mankind+manifests+Langon+Yambi+Ima+Lal+Leima+wealth+Phou+Oibi+granary+barn+Ngareima+fish+yard+Ireima+water+Lan+war+battle+field+Thumleima+salt+mine+Shil+industries+crafts+Heepokpi+Yaipokpi+Heeleima+Yaileima+Heekubi+Yaikubi+Yaisna+seven&view=theater|title=A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy|website=archive.org|pages=74}}</ref>

Among her incarnations, the personalities of [[Emoinu]], [[Panthoibi]] and [[Phouoibi]] depict as well as influence the [[:en:wikt:boldness|boldness]], courage, independence, goodness and social honour of [[Meitei people|Meitei women]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sIEOy8SRLv8C&dq=panthoibi+emoinu+phouoibi+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>

The connection of the highest female form with the basic needs of life shows the importance of women in Meitei society.<ref name=":1" />

== Incarnations ==
=== Imoinu ===
{{Main|Imoinu}}
''Imoinu'' or ''Emoinu'' ({{lang-mni|ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref name=":0" />
Supreme God [[Atingkok|Sidaba]] ({{lang-omp|Sitapa}}) asked His wife, [[Leimarel Sidabi]] ({{lang-omp|Leimalel Sitapi}}) to create another Leimarel. Leimarel Sidabi is the first woman. The second Leimarel will be the second woman. She is to take care of the mankind on the planet [[earth]]. Goddess Leimarel Sidabi created the second Leimarel. The appearances of the first and the second Leimarels were similar. The first Leimarel named the second one as ''[[Imoinu|Emoinu Ahongbi]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.books.emoinu|title=EMOINU AHONGBI THOUNIROL (A Traditional adoration to Goddess Emoinu)|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

=== Ireima ===
{{Main|Ireima}}
''Ireima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯏꯔꯩꯃ}}, ''Ereima'') alias ''Irai Leima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯏꯔꯥꯢ ꯂꯩꯃ}}, ''Erai Leima'') is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. She is the goddess of water.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Lān Leima ===
''Lān Leima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯂꯥꯟ ꯂꯩꯃ}}, ''Laan Leima'') or ''Lāl Leima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯂꯥꯜ ꯂꯩꯃ}}, ''Laal Leima'') is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. Leimalel becomes Lān Leima when she is in the battlefield. Lān Leima is the goddess of war.<ref name=":2" />

=== Leinaotabi ===
{{Main|Leinaotabi}}
''Leinaotabi'' ({{lang-mni|ꯂꯩꯅꯥꯎꯇꯥꯕꯤ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref>Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel]] and [[Leinaotabi]]. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.</ref> She was the youngest wife of God [[Thongalel]]. Later, she was married to [[Poireiton]].

=== Lul Leima ===
''Lul Leima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯂꯜ ꯂꯩꯃ}}) (also pronounced as ''Lal Leima'') is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. She is the goddess of wealth.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Ngaleima ===
{{Main|Ngaleima}}
''Ngaleima'' ({{lang-omp|ꯉꯥꯂꯩꯃ}}) alias ''Ngareima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯉꯥꯔꯩꯃ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. Leimalel becomes Ngaleima when she is in the [[:en:wikt:fishing ground|fish yard]]. Ngaleima is the goddess of fish.<ref name=":2" />

=== Nongthang Leima ===
{{Main|Nongthang Leima}}
''Nongthang Leima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯅꯣꯡꯊꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref>Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel]] and [[Nongthang Leima]]. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.</ref> She is the goddess of charm, thunder and lightning.<ref>Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.</ref>

=== Panthoibi ===
{{Main|Panthoibi}}
''Panthoibi'' ({{lang-mni|ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel]] and [[Panthoibi]]. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.</ref> She is the goddess of civilization, fertility, love, warfare and wisdom.<ref>Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1997). The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-259-0416-8.</ref>

=== Phouleima ===
{{Main|Phouleima}}
''Phouleima'' ({{lang-omp|ꯐꯧꯂꯩꯃ}}) alias ''Phouoibi'' ({{lang-mni|ꯐꯧꯑꯣꯢꯕꯤ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.461915/page/n147/mode/1up?q=Phouoibi+supreme+mother+Leimalel+unhusked+rice+paddy+oibi+oiba+paddy&view=theater|title=A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy|last=Singh|first=L. Bhagyachandra|date=1991|pages=147}}</ref><ref>Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel]] and [[Phouleima]]. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.</ref> Leimalel becomes Phouoibi when she is in the [[:en:wikt:granary|granaries]] or the [[barn]]s.<ref name=":2" /> Phouoibi is the goddess of agricultural crops and harvest.<ref>Session, North East India History Association (1999). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.</ref>
=== Shil Leima ===
''Shil Leima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯤꯜ ꯂꯩꯃ}}) alias ''Shin Leima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯁꯤꯟ ꯂꯩꯃ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. Leimalel becomes Shil Leima when she is in factories. Shil Leima is the goddess of crafts.<ref name=":2" />

=== Thoibi ===
{{Main|Moirang Thoibi}}
''Moirang Thoibi'' ({{lang-mni|ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref>Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel]] and [[Moirang Thoibi|Thoibi]]. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.</ref> She is a princess of [[Ancient Moirang]] kingdom. She is also one of the important characters in the [[Moirang Shayon]] and the [[Moirang Kangleirol]].
=== Thumleima ===
{{Main|Thumleima}}
''Thumleima'' ({{lang-mni|ꯊꯨꯝꯂꯩꯃ}}) is an incarnation of [[Leimarel Sidabi]]. Leimalel becomes Thumleima when she is in the salt mines. Thumleima is the goddess of salt.<ref name=":2" />

=== 7 Divine Ladies ===
Leimalel also incarnates herself as the seven divine ladies. The seven divine ladies are Heepokpi ({{lang-mni|ꯍꯤꯄꯣꯛꯄꯤ}}), Yaipokpi ({{lang-mni|ꯌꯥꯢꯄꯣꯛꯄꯤ}}), Heeleima ({{lang-mni|ꯍꯤꯂꯩꯃ}}), Yaileima ({{lang-mni|ꯌꯥꯢꯂꯩꯃ}}), Heekubi ({{lang-mni|ꯍꯤꯀꯨꯕꯤ}}), Yaikubi ({{lang-mni|ꯌꯥꯢꯀꯨꯕꯤ}}) and Yaisna ({{lang-mni|ꯌꯥꯢꯁ꯭ꯅꯥ}}).<ref name=":2" />

=== Goddesses of the 7 clans ===
The seven goddesses of the seven clans ({{lang-mni|Yek}}) are the incarnations of [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref name=":0" />
{|class="wikitable"
!Goddesses
!Latin transliterations (Romanization)
!Associated clans/dynasties
!Latin transliterations (Romanization)
|-
|ꯂꯩꯀꯛꯕꯤꯌꯥꯔꯦꯜ
|Leikakbiyarel
|ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ
|Ningthouja
|-
|ꯂꯥꯢꯕꯤ ꯑꯍꯨꯝꯅꯨ
|Laibi Ahumnoo
|ꯑꯉꯣꯝ
|Angom
|-
|ꯊꯥꯡꯋꯣꯢꯕꯤ
|Thangwoibee
|ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ
|Luwang
|-
|ꯃꯥꯟꯋꯣꯢꯕꯤ
|Manwoibi
|ꯈꯨꯃꯟ
|Khuman
|-
|ꯆꯤꯠꯅꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ
|Chitnu Leima
|ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ
|Moirang
|-
|ꯊꯦꯔꯩ ꯂꯥꯡꯕꯝ ꯆꯅꯨ
|Therei Langbam Chanu
|ꯆꯦꯡꯂꯩ/ꯁꯂꯥꯡ-ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ
|Chenglei/Salang-Leishangthem
|-
|ꯂꯥꯢ ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯟ
|Lai Leimaren
|ꯈꯥꯕ-ꯉꯥꯟꯕ
|Khaba-Nganba
|}

== Festivals and Worship ==
=== Imoinu Iratpa ===
{{Main|Imoinu Iratpa}}
''Imoinu Iratpa'' (''Emoinu Eratpa'') is celebrated in honor of goddess [[Imoinu]] ([[Emoinu]]) on the 12th of [[Meitei calendar|Meitei lunar month]] of ''Wakching'' (December-January interface month) every year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://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> Fruits, vegetables and fish are offered to goddess Imoinu.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=7..030115.jan15|title=Imoinu Iratpa extensively held all over|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

=== Panthoibi Iratpa ===
{{Main|Panthoibi Iratpa}}
''Panthoibi Iratpa'' (''Panthoibi Eratpa'') is celebrated in honor of goddess [[Panthoibi]] every year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/panthoibi-celebrations-under-way/cid/319225|title=Panthoibi celebrations under way|website=telegraphindia.com}}</ref>
[[File:Panthoibi at Hojai, Assam 01.jpg|thumb|300px|Statue of Panthoibi during [[Panthoibi Iratpa]] festival celebrated at Hojai Natun Bazar, [[Assam]]]]
=== Phouoibi Irat Thouni ===
{{See|Phouoibi}}
''Phouoibi Irat Thouni'' or ''Phouoibi Iratpa'' or just ''Phouoibi worship'' is done during the the [[Meitei calendar|Meitei lunar month]] of ''Wakching'' (December-January interface month).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gxqeDwAAQBAJ&dq=Poinu+is+the+month+of+harvest+when+the+granary+must+not+be+disturbed+and+Wakching+is+the+month+during+which+Phouoibi+the+goddess+of+paddy+is+worshipped.&pg=PA37|title=Glimpses of Manipuri Culture|last=Devi|first=Dr Yumlembam Gopi|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-0-359-72919-7|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=Snipp23..081213.dec13|title=Irat Thouni of Phouoibi|website=e-pao.net}}</ref>

== Ima Keithel ==
{{Main|Ima Keithel}}
''Ima Keithel'' ({{lang-en|[[Mothers' Market]]}}) is the world's only women run market.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eENU_a8c79MC&dq=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&dq=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&dq=ima+keithel+market+only+women+world&pg=PA4|title=The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious 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> The [[Leimarel Sidabi|Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel]] (Complex Number 1), the [[Imoinu|Imoinu Ima Keithel]] (Complex Number 2) and the [[Phouoibi|Phouoibi Ima Keithel]] (Complex Number 3) are the three main building complexes of the Ima Keithel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.timesofindia.com/city/imphal/all-women-imphal-market-reopens-after-10-months/amp_articleshow/80974793.cms|title=All-women Imphal market reopens after 10 months|website=m.timesofindia.com}}</ref> This 500 years old market is in the center of [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]].<ref name="Singh"/> The three building complexes are named in honor of the three goddesses, [[Leimarel Sidabi]], [[Imoinu]] and [[Phouoibi]]. The later two are the incarnations of the first.

== In popular culture ==
In popular culture, the incarnations of goddess Leimarel are shown in arts, [[#Bibliography|books]], movies, web series and many others. Here are a few:
* [[Phou-oibi, the rice goddess]] is a 2009 ballad opera. It was performed by the [[Laihui Ensemble]]. It is based on the story of [[Phouoibi]] and her sister goddesses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.manipur.org/news/2013/03/22/laihui-ensemble-manipur-%E2%80%93-phou-oibi-the-rice-goddess-to-perform-at-esplanade-theatre-studio-singapore/|title=Laihui Ensemble Manipur – Phou-oibi, the Rice Goddess to perform at Esplanade Theatre Studio Singapore|website=www.manipur.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sgmagazine.com/events/singapore-music-festivals/phou-oibi-rice-goddess-laihui-ensemble|title=Phou-Oibi, the Rice Goddess by Laihui Ensemble|website=sgmagazine.com}}</ref>
* [[Phouoibi Shayon]] is a 2017 Meitei mythological movie. It is based on the story of [[Phouoibi]] and her sister goddesses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=20..010417.apr17|title=Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar : 01st apr17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines|website=e-pao.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.manipur.org/news/2017/03/31/phouoibi-shayon-to-be-shown-at-shankar/|title=Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar – Manipur News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/8155-film-release|title=Film Release - Imphal Times|first=Maheshwar|last=Gurumayum|website=www.imphaltimes.com}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465471 Ariba Meiteigee Seitha by Gourachandra, Mayanglambam]
* [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.2015.465337 Kangleikhol January 1988 by Kangjia, Ng]
* [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]
* [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465422 Leimarel Mingkhei by Bhogeshawr, Oinam]
* [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465572 Yimpallon by Singh, Wakhemcha Tomba]

[[Category:Meitei literature]]
[[Category:Meitei mythology]]
[[Category:Meitei religion]]

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Incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi - Revision history

SonOfZeus at 12:02, 26 March 2022