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{{Short description|Ancient Meitei legend}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox folk tale
|Folk_Tale_Name = The story of Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu
|Image_Name = Meitei and Latin transliterations of "Khuyol Haoba" and "Yaithing Konu".jpg
|Image_Caption = [[Meitei script|Meitei]] and [[Latin transliteration]]s of "Khuyol Haoba" and "Yaithing Konu"
|Aarne-Thompson Grouping = no
|AKA = {{lang-mni|Haoba Konu}}
|Mythology = [[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]])
|Country = {{flagicon image|Flag of Manipur (stripes variant).svg}} [[Ancient Kangleipak]] (historical) <br /> {{IND}} (present)
|Region = [[Moirang]], [[Manipur]]
|Origin_Date = During the reign of King Iwang Puriklai Sana Lakhwa (185-236)
|Published_In =
|Related = [[Meitei folklore]] ([[Manipuri folklore]]), <br /> [[Meitei literature]] ([[Manipuri literature]])
}}
{{Meitei mythology}}
The ancient legend of '''Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu''' ({{lang-mni|Haoba-Konu}}) is one of the [[epic cycles of incarnations]] of [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]], that is originated from [[Moirang]] kingdom{{efn|[[Moirang]] was an independent kingdom in early times, though later became a province of a unified kingdom, called [[Manipur Kingdom]].}} of [[Ancient Kangleipak]] (early [[Manipur]]). It concerns the fateful love of ''Khuyol Haoba'' ({{lang-omp|Khuyol Haopa}}),{{efn|The word "Khuyol" is also spelled as "Khuyon", "Khoyol" and "Khoyon". The word "Haoba" is also spelled as "Hauba".}} an orphan man, for the beautiful ''Yaithing Konu''.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Oinam |first1=Bhagat |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X31aDwAAQBAJ&q=seven+cycles+Khuyol+Haoba+%28hero%29+and+Yaithing+Konu+%28heroine%29&pg=PT236 |title=Northeast India: A Reader |last2=Sadokpam |first2=Dhiren A. |date=2018-05-11 |publisher=[[Taylor & Francis]] |isbn=978-0-429-95320-0 |pages=236 |language=en |quote=Apart from several other works based on the theme of love, mention may be made of the literature coming from the Moirang region of Manipur. A civilization situated on the magnificent Loktak Lake, the culture of the Moirang clan has been noted. 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 ages. The seven cycles are Akongjamba (hero) and Phouoibi (heroine); Henjunaha (hero) and Leima Lairuklembi (heroine); Khuyol Haoba (hero) and Yaithing Konu (heroine); Kadeng Thangjahanba (hero) and Tonu Laijinglembi (heroine); Ura Naha ...}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=N. Tombi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8EMKAQAAIAAJ&q=yaithing+konu |title=Khamba and Thoibi: The Unscaled Height of Love |collaboration=Original from:the [[University of California]] |date=1976 |publisher=Chitrebirentombichand Khorjeirup |location=India |pages=302, 303 |language=en |quote=The legend of the immortal love between Khoyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu , believed to have taken place several generations ago , was still fresh to Khamba's generation . It inspired young lovers to unscaled heights of love .}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Lisam |first=Khomdan Singh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Z6d-IyINtk4C&dq=Yaithing+Konu&pg=PA678 |title=Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.) |publisher= |year=2011 |isbn=978-81-7835-864-2 |location=India |pages=588, 678 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Birmangal |first=M. |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.310115/page/n3/mode/2up |title=Yaithingkonu |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Binodini Devi; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1970 |language=mni}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bormani |first=Sarangthem |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465120/page/n144/mode/1up |title=Moirang Shaion |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=2003 |location=India |pages=145 |language=mni}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiBkAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=65 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiBkAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=66 |language=en}}</ref>

== History ==
Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu were historical figures who lived during the reign of [[Moilang]] King ''Sana Lakhwa'' (185-236) in [[Moirang]] kingdom, as stated in the text named the ''Kanglei Lamthon Puya''. The story was later crafted into a legendary account by adding mythological elements such as the divine intervention of God [[Thangching]] who wished Yaithing Konu to seek help from Khuyol Haoba, thereby making the two fell in love with each other.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Event and Achievement Part 1 Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 10 |url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Moirang_Kangleirol.Event_and_Achievement_Part_1_Moirang_and_Ebuthou_Thangjing_Part_10 |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=e-pao.net |quote=SANA LAKHWA (185-236) During Sana Lakhwa's regime the 3rd romantic love story of 'Haoba-Konu' as stated in Kanglei Lamthon Puya took place with the key role in the story divinely steered by Lord Thangching. In the episode, Lord Eputhou Thangching wished Konu to call upon Khuyol Haoba from his hiding shelter in the Loktak Lake and ask him to repair her fishing net (Een in local language). Accordingly, Khuyol Haoba came out and repaired her fishing net. It was a divine incident for both Khuyol Haoba and Konu to fall in love each other thereby Haoba-Konu story or Seishaklon was continued to be narrated in verse form in Moirang Kangleirol.}}</ref>

== Plot ==
=== Childhood of Khuyol Haoba ===
Orphan young ''Khuyol Haoba'' was brought up by his elder sister. His late father ''Khundouremba'' used to hold the court office to look after the royal religious rites and rituals, to take care of a rare sacred [[bamboo]] species called Tesa, to remove the [[Vine|creeper]]s of the Tayan (also spelled as "Tayal") species and to burnish the divine metal mask.
After the demise of Khundouremba, God [[Thangching]] ([[Thangjing]]) made the king, the friends and the relatives of Khundouremba to be heedless of the two children, Khuyol Haoba and his elder sister. Hence, the two children live in a poor way of life.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiBkAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=65 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mangoljao Singh |first=Heisnam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466965/page/n13/mode/2up |title=Haoba Konu |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Heisnam Ongbi Sorojini Devi, Shega Lamphel, Khwairakpam Leikai; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1986 |location=India |pages=14–24 |language=mni}}</ref>

=== Escaping from the oracular conspiracy ===
As time passed, Khuyol Haoba grew up into a handsome lad. However, he used to hide among the [[phumdi]]s of the [[Loktak lake]] to save himself from the [[human sacrifice]] as demanded by the presiding deity of [[Moirang]] in accordance to an [[oracle]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiBkAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=65 |language=en}}</ref> In reality, the prophecy of the oracle was a barbaric brutal conspiracy devised by a nobleman named ''Thangarakpa'' ({{lang-omp|Thangkalakpa}}), who was jealous of the late Khundouremba, and so, he wanted to eliminate the latter's young son Khuyol Haoba.
Thangarakpa took the opportunity in the occurrence of [[drought]] and [[famine]] in [[Moirang]], and bribed a fake [[Godman (India)|god-man]] to declare that only the offering of an orphan man could please God [[Thangching]] ([[Thangjing]]) to diminish the sufferings of the people.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiBkAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=66 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Nimai |first=R. K. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hjvYDwAAQBAJ&dq=Khuyol+Haoba&pg=PA50 |title=NE Scholar : Emerging The Lost Civilization of The Manipur Valley |date=2019-07-10 |publisher=NE Brothers Pvt Limited |pages=50 |language=en |quote=Khuyol Haoba, the hero of the epic was forced to lead the life of a fugitive to save the Khuyol tribe. Haoba grew up in amidst of phumdis and hides his youthful days in the Loktak Lake to stay away from the merciless King.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mangoljao Singh |first=Heisnam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466965/page/n23/mode/2up |title=Haoba Konu |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Heisnam Ongbi Sorojini Devi, Shega Lamphel, Khwairakpam Leikai; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1986 |location=India |pages=24–34 |language=mni}}</ref>

=== Meeting with Lady Yaithing Konu ===
During one of his hiding occasions, Khuyol Haoba met Lady Yaithing Konu.
All the unmarried ladies of [[Moirang]] came together at the [[Loktak lake]] for [[fishing]] as a part of the celebration of a festive occasion. On that particular day, no men were allowed to enter the waters of the [[Loktak]].
En passant, Lady Yaithing Konu's wooden frame of [[fishing net]] get broken. As it could be fixed only by men and as no man was available around, Konu was upset. In the meantime, Khuyol Haoba, who was hiding around the lake, came to her help for fixing the net's frame. The two fell in love at the first sight.
As time passed on, fortunately, the king of [[Moirang]] got to know about Khuyol Haoba's identity and reinstated him to his late father's official position.
The two lovers had enjoyed their life of love for some time. They [[fornication|submitted themselves to each other though not married to each other]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiBkAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=66 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mangoljao Singh |first=Heisnam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466965/page/n33/mode/2up |title=Haoba Konu |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Heisnam Ongbi Sorojini Devi, Shega Lamphel, Khwairakpam Leikai; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1986 |location=India |pages=34–44 |language=mni}}</ref>

=== Firestorm as the action and wedding as the reaction ===
Once Huiningsumba (Yaithing Konu's father), went out for a hunt in the woods, as per the royal orders. Unable to find any prey, he burned the bushes of the forest to drive out the hiding animals. Within a few moments, the [[forest fire]] turned into a big [[firestorm]] and spread fastly to the neighbouring kingdom of the [[Khuman Salai|Khuman]]s, burning the resident and the barn of a fierce Khuman warrior named ''Kaoba Hingamba''.
Witnessing the incident, Kaoba Hingamba's fury knew no bounds. He captured Huiningsumba and his men and demanded the captive's daughter as the ransom. Reluctant but having no other way, Huiningsumba agreed.
Thus, Yaithing Konu and Kaoba Hingamba got married. During the wedding, Yaithing Konu was already [[Conception (biology)|conceived]] with Khuyol Haoba's child, for three months. She was distressed.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiBkAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=66 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mangoljao Singh |first=Heisnam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466965/page/n45/mode/2up |title=Haoba Konu |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Heisnam Ongbi Sorojini Devi, Shega Lamphel, Khwairakpam Leikai; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1986 |location=India |pages=46–60 |language=mni}}</ref>

=== Continuation of the love affairs ===
Yaithing Konu's marriage to Kaoba Hingamba did not end her connection with Khuyol Haoba.
Khuyol Haoba used to visit Yaithing Konu, [[impersonating]] himself as a man from the hills, working for Kaoba Hingamba. They continued their romantic affairs even at the house of Kaoba Hingamba. Very soon, the relationship was noticed by Kaoba Hingamba, who kicked Yaithing Konu out of his house. The husband's dismissal of his wife turned into a fortune to the latter. Thus, Yaithing Konu and Khuyol Haoba got united and lived happily ever after.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Ch Manihar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yiBkAAAAMAAJ |title=A History of Manipuri Literature |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1996 |isbn=978-81-260-0086-9 |location=India |pages=66 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mangoljao Singh |first=Heisnam |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466965/page/n59/mode/2up |title=Haoba Konu |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Heisnam Ongbi Sorojini Devi, Shega Lamphel, Khwairakpam Leikai; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1986 |location=India |pages=60–132 |language=mni}}</ref>

== In contemporary art and culture ==
; Yaithing Konu : It is a [[Meitei language]] novel by [[:simple:Hijam Anganghal|Hijam Anganghal]] (1892-1943).<ref>{{Cite book |last=Singh |first=Hijam Anganghal |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hE7Kmyx5zJoC&dq=yaithing+konu&pg=PT4 |title=Jahera (Manipuri) |work=[[:simple:Hijam Anganghal|Hijam Anganghal]] |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-81-260-1546-7 |location=India |pages=4 |language=en, mni}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Siṃha |first1=Elaṃbama Dīnamaṇi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4SBkAAAAMAAJ&q=yaithing+konu |title=Hijam Anganghal Singh |last2=Akademi |first2=Sahitya |work=[[:simple:Hijam Anganghal|Hijam Anganghal]] |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=1997 |isbn=978-81-260-0390-7 |location=India |pages=32, 33, 34 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Datta |first=Amaresh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&dq=yaithing+konu&pg=PA1573 |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=1988 |isbn=978-81-260-1194-0 |location=India |pages=1573 |language=en |author-link=Amaresh Datta}}</ref>
; Yaithing Konu (1948–49): Rupmahal Theatre's drama titled ''Yaithing Konu'' (1949), directed by Meitram Bira (1916–78), was an adaptation of [[:simple:Hijam Anganghal|Hijam Anganghal]]'s eponymous work.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EJOfAAAAMAAJ&q=yaithing+konu |title=Sangeet Natak |publisher=[[Sangeet Natak Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of Michigan]] |year=2004 |location=India |pages=54 |language=en |quote=The most notable achievements of Rupmahal are its renderings of Manipuri folk legends in the form of plays . The first genuine folk play , Yaithing Konu , an agonising tragedy by H. Anganghal Singh , was produced by Rupmahal some time in 1948.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Devi |first=Dr Yumlembam Gopi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gxqeDwAAQBAJ&q=Rupmahal+Theatre%27s+Yaithing+Konu+%281949%29dramatized+by+Meitram+Bira+et+al+from+Angahal%27s+work-stole+stellar+honours+276.&pg=PA276 |title=Glimpses of Manipuri Culture |publisher= |isbn=978-0-359-72919-7 |location=India |pages=276 |language=en |quote=Rupmahal Theatre's Yaithing Konu (1949)dramatized by Meitram Bira et al from Angahal's work-stole stellar honours.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=George |first=K. M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eTXougCB-NMC&dq=yaithing+konu&pg=PA416 |title=Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Plays and prose |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |year=1992 |isbn=978-81-7201-783-5 |location=India |pages=416 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Session |first=North East India History Association |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LDhuAAAAMAAJ&q=yaithing+konu |title=Proceedings of North East India History Association |publisher=The Association |year=2000 |location=India |pages=378 |language=en}}</ref>
; Haoba Konu (1986) : It is a [[Meitei language]] work written by Heisnam Mangoljao.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mangoljao Singh |first=Heisnam |url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466965 |title=Haoba Konu |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Heisnam Ongbi Sorojini Devi, Shega Lamphel, Khwairakpam Leikai; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=1986 |location=India |language=mni}}</ref>
; Haoba Konu (2014) : It is a [[folk drama]], written and directed by B. Jugolchandra Sharma, produced by the "Manipur Dramatic Union" (MDU) and sponsored by the [[Ministry of Culture (India)]], [[New Delhi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gurumayum |first=William |title=Haoba Konu staged - Imphal Times |url=https://www.imphaltimes.com/news/item/1401-haoba-konu-staged |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=www.imphaltimes.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Akongjamba]] and [[Phouoibi]]
* [[Henjunaha and Lairoulembi]]
* [[Khamba Thoibi|Khamba and Thoibi]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book |last1=Siṃha |first1=Elaṃbama Dīnamaṇi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ehp2AAAAIAAJ&q=Yaithing+Konu |title=Hijam Anganghal Singh |last2=Akademi |first2=Sahitya |work=[[:simple:Hijam Anganghal|Hijam Anganghal]] |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |others=Original from:the [[University of California]] |year=1997 |isbn=978-81-260-0390-7 |location=India |pages=32, 33, 34 |language=en |author-link=Elangbam}}
* {{Cite book |last=Kokngang Singh |first=P. |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465685/page/n27/mode/2up |title=Apunba Saklon |collaboration=[[Internet Archive]] |publisher=Kongbantabam Bidyalaxmi Devi; [[Digital Library of India]] |others=[[Manipur University]] Library, [[Imphal]] |year=2008 |location=India |pages=28–46 |language=mni |chapter=Yaithing Konu}}

== 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=2022-10-14 |website=e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web |title=Language |url=http://www.e-pao.net/epPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Language.html.. |access-date=2022-10-14 |website=www.e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web |title=Cry Of A Dying River...99 |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2019/10/26/I-am-no-longer-the-river-I-was-onceThe-river-that-pours-her-heart-out-Flow-Nambul-flow.html |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=www.thesangaiexpress.com |language=en}}

[[Category:Epic cycles of incarnations]]
[[Category:Extramarital relationships]]
[[Category:Love stories]]
[[Category:Marriage and religion]]
[[Category:Meitei folklore]]
[[Category:Meitei mythology]]
[[Category:Temporary marriages]]
[[Category:Works about violence]]

Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu - Revision history

WikiDwarf at 02:35, 21 March 2023