UpdateBot at 08:40, 27 June 2022

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{{Contains special characters}}
{{Under construction}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Meitei
| name = Laikhurembi <br /> ({{lang-omp|Laikhulempi}})
| deity_of = Chief Queen of the Underworld <br /> Goddess of argument, justice, good counsel, divine law, order, retribution and secrecy
| member_of = [[Lairembi]]s and [[Umang Lai]]s
| image = LAIKHULEMPI.jpg
| alt = 
| caption = "Laikhulempi", the [[Ancient Meitei language|Ancient Meitei]] ([[Old Manipuri]]) name of goddess Laikhurembi, written in archaic Meetei Mayek abugida
| other_names =
| hiro =
| Old_Norse =
| script_name =
| script =
| affiliation = [[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]]) and [[Meitei religion]] ([[Sanamahism]])
| cult_center = [[Uripok]] town in [[Imphal]]
| abode = 
| venerated_in = [[Court]]s
| planet = 
| weapon = 
| battles =
| artifacts = 
| animals =
| symbol = 
| adherents =
| height =
| age =
| tree =
| day =
| color = 
| number =
| consort = [[Thongalen]] ([[Thongaren]])
| father = Lai-ren Humchouba
| siblings =
| offspring = 
| predecessor =
| successor =
| army =
| mount =
| texts = [[Poireiton Khunthok]]
| gender = Female
| Greek_equivalent = [[Themis]], [[Dike (mythology)|Dike]]
| Roman_equivalent = [[Justitia]]
| Etruscan_equivalent =
| Christian_equivalent =
| Slavic_equivalent =
| Hinduism_equivalent =
| Canaanite_equivalent =
| equivalent1_type =
| equivalent1 =
| equivalent2_type =
| equivalent2 =
| region = [[Ancient Kangleipak]] ([[Antique Manipur]])
| ethnic_group = [[Meitei ethnicity]]
| festivals = [[Lai Haraoba]]
}}
{{Infobox Sanamahist term
| title =
| en = Laikhurembi
| omp = ꯂꯥꯢꯈꯨꯂꯦꯝꯄꯤ
| omp-Latn = Laai-khoo-lem-pee
| mni = ꯂꯥꯢꯈꯨꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ
| mni-Latn = Laai-khoo-rem-bee
| as = লাইখুৰেম্বী
| as-Latn = Laai-khoo-rem-bee
| bn = লাইখুরেম্বী
| bn-Latn = Laai-khoo-rem-bee
| my = လိုင်ခရမ်ဘီ
| my-Latn = Laai-khoo-rem-bee
| hi = लाइखूरेम्बी
| hi-Latn = Laai-khoo-rem-bee
}}
{{Meitei mythology}}
{{Sanamahism}}
'''Laikhurembi''' ({{lang-omp|Laikhulempi}}) is a goddess in [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei religion|religion]] of [[Ancient Kangleipak]] ([[Antique Manipur]]).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1340/page/n365/mode/2up?q=%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%96%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%80|title=চৈথারোল কুমপাপা|last=Brahmacharimayum Kulachandra Sharma|pages=365|language=mni}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465422/page/n13/mode/2up|title=Leimarel Mingkhei|last=Bhogeshawr|first=Oinam|date=1970|language=mni|pages=13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.2401/page/n175/mode/2up?q=Laikhurembi|title=লরনর্স মনিপুরী-ইংলিশ দিক্সনারী|last=H Surmangol Sharma|date=2006|pages=175|language=en}}</ref> She is the goddess of justice, good counsel, divine law, order and secrecy.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1">Folk Culture of Manipur - Page 194 - Moirangthem Kirti Singh · 1993</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2PjsAAAAMAAJ&q=laikhurembu+retribution+justice|title=A Just Right: Women's Ownership of Natural Resources and Livelihood Security|last1=Rao|first1=Nitya|last2=Rürup|first2=Luise|date=1997|publisher=Friedrich Ebert Stiftung|isbn=978-81-7440-044-4|language=en}}</ref> She is the chief Queen of God [[Thongaren]] ({{lang-omp|[[Thongalen]]}}).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bjkBM3qyZ00C&dq=laikhurembi&pg=PA79|title=Society, Politics, and Development in North East India: Essays in Memory of Dr. Basudeb Datta Ray|last1=Ray|first1=Asok Kumar|last2=Chakraborty|first2=Satyabrata|date=2008|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-8069-572-8|language=en}}</ref>
She is the daughter of Lairen Humchouba.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S_4dAAAAMAAJ&q=laikhurembi|title=The History of Manipur: An early period|last=Singh|first=Wahengbam Ibohal|date=1986|publisher=Manipur Commercial Company|language=en}}</ref> She is one of the divine incarnations of [[Leimarel Sidabi]].<ref name=":0" /> She is one of the most important [[Umang Lai]]s. Her pantheon is maintained particularly by the Taibungjam clan of [[Meitei ethnicity]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vO-vtI8NuxIC&dq=taibangjam+laikhurembee&pg=PA4|title=Manipur: Treatise & Documents|last=Sanajaoba|first=Naorem|date=1993|publisher=Mittal Publications|isbn=978-81-7099-399-5|language=en}}</ref><ref>Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1988). Religion and Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-021-0.</ref><ref>Proceedings of the North East India History Association North East India History Association. Session · 1982</ref>

== Etymology ==
In [[Meitei language]] ([[Manipuri language]]), the female first name ''"Laikhurembi"'' can be split up into three parts, "Lai", "Khu" and "-rembi". The [[Meitei language]] word "Lai" has multiple meanings. It may mean a [[god]] or a [[deity]] or a [[Deity|spirit]] or a [[disease]] or a [[picture]] or a [[painting]] in noun form. "Lai" may mean [[:en:wikt:easy|easy]] in adjective form in [[Meitei language]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=H. Surmangol|date=2006|title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Lai|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%82%EA%AF%A5%EA%AF%8F&searchhws=yes#|access-date=|website=dsal.uchicago.edu}}</ref> The [[Meitei language]] term "Khu" also has many meanings. It may mean "[[:en:wikt:narrow|narrow]]" or "not [[:en:wikt:wide|wide]]" in adjective form. It may mean a [[knee]] in noun form. It may mean "to [[:en:wikt:kneel|kneel]]" or "to [[:en:wikt:cough|cough]]" in verbal form.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sharma|first=H. Surmangol|date=2006|title=Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Khu|url=https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%88%EA%AF%A8&searchhws=yes|access-date=|website=dsal.uchicago.edu}}</ref> According to "The History Of Manipur" written by Wahengbam Ibohal, the words "Lai" and "Khu" are the names of tribes. The last part "-rembi" means chief, head or graceful in feminine form.<ref name=":2" />

== History and Origin ==
According to the [[Poireiton Khunthok]], Laikhurembi ({{lang-omp|Laikhulempi}}) was the chief queen of [[Thongaren]] ({{lang-omp|[[Thongalen]]}}). This book talks about her body in ways that show her personality. They say she had a wide mouth, which means she was loud or boastful.<ref>{{Cite web|title=WIDE-MOUTH English Definition and Meaning {{!}} Lexico.com|url=https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/wide-mouth|access-date=2022-02-24|website=Lexico Dictionaries {{!}} English|language=en}}</ref> They say she had small breasts, which meant she used her heart less than she used her head; she was a thinking person and not a feeling person.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Definition of BOSOM|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bosom|access-date=2022-02-24|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en}}</ref> They say she had sideways eyes, meaning she did not look at people straight on.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Definition of OBLIQUE|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oblique|access-date=2022-02-24|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en}}</ref>

Scholars think this queen may have had [[Asian people|Asian]] ethnicity. Some scholars think Laikhurembi could come from a tribe that had both ''Lai'' and ''Khu'' people in it.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.463276/page/n233/mode/2up?q=Laikhurembi|title=The History Of Manipur|last=Singh|first=Wahengbam Ibohal|pages=233}}</ref> Other scholars think "Laikhurembi" is just her title and not her name.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.463276/page/n234/mode/2up?q=Laikhurembi|title=The History Of Manipur|last=Singh|first=Wahengbam Ibohal|pages=234}}</ref>

Laikhurembi ({{lang-omp|Laikhulempi}}) is the daughter of Lai-ren Humchouba ({{lang-omp|Lai Len Hum Choupa}}, [[:en:Shan language|Shan]]: Hoom Chao Hpa). In [[Meitei language]] ([[Manipuri language]]), "Lai-ren" means "Chief of Lai".<ref name=":3" /> In [[Meitei language]], the word [[#Etymology|"Lai" has many meanings]].

Queen Laikhurembi was the first wife of King [[Thongaren]] ({{lang-omp|[[Thongalen]]}}). Then king asked her to marry his younger brother, [[Poireiton]], instead, because Poireiton's wife had died. Poireiton was beginning a journey to ''[[Ancient Kangleipak|Tai Pang Pan]]'' and King Thongalel thought it would not be good for Poireiton to go without a wife.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.463276/page/n245/mode/2up?q=Laikhurembi|title=The History Of Manipur|last=Singh|first=Wahengbam Ibohal|pages=245}}</ref> However, Laikhurembi did not want to go. Trees had already been planted to honor her as the King's wife. Instead of Laikhurembi, King [[Thongalel]] sent his second wife [[Leinaotabi]] to accompany her brother in law [[Poireiton]] as a wife.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.463276/page/n246/mode/2up?q=Laikhurembi|title=The History Of Manipur|last=Singh|first=Wahengbam Ibohal|pages=246}}</ref>

== Description ==
The Goddess Laikhurembi had special powers. She was ''Yungyatnaba'' (lit. ''erect and sharp'') which meant she could see objects accurately no matter how far away they were. She could look at a person and see who he or she truly was inside. When she made a judgement, she would announce her [[verdict|decision]] wisely, and people got the right rewards for what they had done (''things given in recognition of service, effort or achievement'').<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

No one could find the Goddess Laikhurembi unless she wanted them to find her. No matter how hard a person would look, she could hide and stay hidden.<ref name=":0" />

== Cult ==
There is a temple dedicated to Goddess Laikhurembi in [[Uripok]] town in [[Imphal West|Imphal West district]] of [[Manipur]]. During the [[Lai Haraoba]] festival of Uripok, a [[carnival]] like atmosphere subdues the sacred traditional ritualistic ceremonies. During the noisy possession of the festive occasions, the [[maibi]]s dance in the gentle melodies of [[Pena (musical instrument)|pena]]. The [[maibi]]s became possessed by the spirits when the music stopped and they delivered [[oracle]]s. During this, the audiences listen to them very attentively.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/feminismintradit0000chak/page/122/mode/2up?q=Laikhurembi|title=Feminism in a Traditional Society: Women of the Manipur Valley - Manjusri Chaki-Sircar · 1984|pages=122|website=archive.org|year=1984|isbn=9780706919677|last1=Chaki-Sircar|first1=Manjusri}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Lainaotabi]]
* [[Yumjao Leima]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
{{Wiktionary|Laikhurembi}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* [https://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/app/sharma_query.py?qs=%EA%AF%82%EA%AF%A5%EA%AF%8F%EA%AF%88%EA%AF%A8%EA%AF%94%EA%AF%A6%EA%AF%9D%EA%AF%95%EA%AF%A4&searchhws=yes Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary. Laikhurembi]
{{Sanamahi1}}
[[Category:Abundance deities]]
[[Category:Abundance goddesses]]
[[Category:Arts deities]]
[[Category:Arts goddesses]]
[[Category:Asian deities]]
[[Category:Asian goddesses]]
[[Category:Beauty deities]]
[[Category:Beauty goddesses]]
[[Category:Fortune deities]]
[[Category:Fortune goddesses]]
[[Category:Justice deities]]
[[Category:Justice goddesses]]
[[Category:Knowledge deities]]
[[Category:Knowledge goddesses]]
[[Category:Leima]]
[[Category:Magic deities]]
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[[Category:Maintenance deities]]
[[Category:Maintenance goddesses]]
[[Category:Marriage deities]]
[[Category:Marriage goddesses]]
[[Category:Meitei gods and goddesses]]
[[Category:Names of God in Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Nature deities]]
[[Category:Nature goddesses]]
[[Category:Peace deities]]
[[Category:Peace goddesses]]
[[Category:Time and fate deities]]
[[Category:Time and fate goddesses]]
[[Category:Underworld deities]]
[[Category:Underworld goddesses]]
[[Category:Wisdom deities]]
[[Category:Wisdom goddesses]]

Laikhurembi - Revision history

UpdateBot at 08:40, 27 June 2022