Incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi

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Princess Thoibi of Ancient Moirang is one of the incarnations of goddess Leimarel.

Leimarel Sidabi (Meitei: ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯜ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ) is the highest ranked mother goddess in Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism). She is known for having many incarnations as divine ladies.[1][2][3] Each of her incarnations are for the welfare of the mankind. For this reason, she is known as Langon Yambi Ima (Meitei: ꯂꯥꯡꯉꯣꯟ ꯌꯥꯝꯕꯤ ꯏꯃꯥ, lit. The Divine Mother who incarnates herself in many divine forms).[4]

Among her incarnations, the personalities of Emoinu, Panthoibi and Phouoibi depict as well as influence the boldness, courage, independence, goodness and social honour of Meitei women.[5]

The connection of the highest female form with the basic needs of life shows the importance of women in Meitei society.[3]

Incarnations[change | change source]

Imoinu[change | change source]

See the main article: Imoinu

Imoinu or Emoinu (Meitei: ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi.[2] Supreme God Sidaba (Old Manipuri: Sitapa) asked His wife, Leimarel Sidabi (Old Manipuri: 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 Emoinu Ahongbi.[6]

Ireima[change | change source]

See the main article: Ireima

Ireima (Meitei: ꯏꯔꯩꯃ, Ereima) alias Irai Leima (Meitei: ꯏꯔꯥꯢ ꯂꯩꯃ, Erai Leima) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. She is the goddess of water.[3][4]

Lān Leima[change | change source]

Lān Leima (Meitei: ꯂꯥꯟ ꯂꯩꯃ, Laan Leima) or Lāl Leima (Meitei: 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.[4]

Leinaotabi[change | change source]

See the main article: Leinaotabi

Leinaotabi (Meitei: ꯂꯩꯅꯥꯎꯇꯥꯕꯤ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi.[7] She was the youngest wife of God Thongalel. Later, she was married to Poireiton.

Lul Leima[change | change source]

Lul Leima (Meitei: ꯂꯜ ꯂꯩꯃ) (also pronounced as Lal Leima) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. She is the goddess of wealth.[3][4]

Ngaleima[change | change source]

See the main article: Ngaleima

Ngaleima (Old Manipuri: ꯉꯥꯂꯩꯃ) alias Ngareima (Meitei: ꯉꯥꯔꯩꯃ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. Leimalel becomes Ngaleima when she is in the fish yard. Ngaleima is the goddess of fish.[4]

Nongthang Leima[change | change source]

See the main article: Nongthang Leima

Nongthang Leima (Meitei: ꯅꯣꯡꯊꯥꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi.[8] She is the goddess of charm, thunder and lightning.[9]

Panthoibi[change | change source]

See the main article: Panthoibi

Panthoibi (Meitei: ꯄꯥꯟꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi.[2][10] She is the goddess of civilization, fertility, love, warfare and wisdom.[11]

Phouleima[change | change source]

See the main article: Phouleima

Phouleima (Old Manipuri: ꯐꯧꯂꯩꯃ) alias Phouoibi (Meitei: ꯐꯧꯑꯣꯢꯕꯤ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi.[2][12][13] Leimalel becomes Phouoibi when she is in the granaries or the barns.[4] Phouoibi is the goddess of agricultural crops and harvest.[14]

Shil Leima[change | change source]

Shil Leima (Meitei: ꯁꯤꯜ ꯂꯩꯃ) alias Shin Leima (Meitei: ꯁꯤꯟ ꯂꯩꯃ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. Leimalel becomes Shil Leima when she is in factories. Shil Leima is the goddess of crafts.[4]

Thoibi[change | change source]

See the main article: Moirang Thoibi

Moirang Thoibi (Meitei: ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ ꯊꯣꯢꯕꯤ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi.[15] 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[change | change source]

See the main article: Thumleima

Thumleima (Meitei: ꯊꯨꯝꯂꯩꯃ) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. Leimalel becomes Thumleima when she is in the salt mines. Thumleima is the goddess of salt.[4]

7 Divine Ladies[change | change source]

Leimalel also incarnates herself as the seven divine ladies. The seven divine ladies are Heepokpi (Meitei: ꯍꯤꯄꯣꯛꯄꯤ), Yaipokpi (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯢꯄꯣꯛꯄꯤ), Heeleima (Meitei: ꯍꯤꯂꯩꯃ), Yaileima (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯢꯂꯩꯃ), Heekubi (Meitei: ꯍꯤꯀꯨꯕꯤ), Yaikubi (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯢꯀꯨꯕꯤ) and Yaisna (Meitei: ꯌꯥꯢꯁ꯭ꯅꯥ).[4]

Goddesses of the 7 clans[change | change source]

The seven goddesses of the seven clans (Meitei: Yek) are the incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi.[2]

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[change | change source]

Imoinu Iratpa[change | change source]

See the main article: Imoinu Iratpa

Imoinu Iratpa (Emoinu Eratpa) is celebrated in honor of goddess Imoinu (Emoinu) on the 12th of Meitei lunar month of Wakching (December-January interface month) every year.[16][17] Fruits, vegetables and fish are offered to goddess Imoinu.[18]

Panthoibi Iratpa[change | change source]

See the main article: Panthoibi Iratpa

Panthoibi Iratpa (Panthoibi Eratpa) is celebrated in honor of goddess Panthoibi every year.[19]

Statue of Panthoibi during Panthoibi Iratpa festival celebrated at Hojai Natun Bazar, Assam

Phouoibi Irat Thouni[change | change source]

Further information: Phouoibi

Phouoibi Irat Thouni or Phouoibi Iratpa or just Phouoibi worship is done during the Meitei lunar month of Wakching (December-January interface month).[20][21]

Ima Keithel[change | change source]

See the main article: Ima Keithel

Ima Keithel (English: Mothers' Market) is the world's only women run market.[22][23][24] The Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 1), the Imoinu Ima Keithel (Complex Number 2) and the Phouoibi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 3) are the three main building complexes of the Ima Keithel.[25] This 500 years old market is in the center of Imphal, Manipur.[24] 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[change | change source]

In popular culture, the incarnations of goddess Leimarel are shown in arts, books, movies, web series and many others. Here are a few:

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. Incarnations of goddess Leimarel. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Gassah, L. S. (1998). Traditional Institutions of Meghalaya: A Case Study of Doloi and His Administration. Regency Publications. p. 173. ISBN 978-81-86030-49-3.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. August 1991. p. 74. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  5. ↑ Kipgen, Tingneichong G. (2010). Women's Role in the 20th Century Manipur: A Historical Study. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-803-1.
  6. ↑ "EMOINU AHONGBI THOUNIROL (A Traditional adoration to Goddess Emoinu)". e-pao.net.
  7. ↑ Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. Leimarel and Leinaotabi. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.
  8. ↑ Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. Leimarel and Nongthang Leima. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.
  9. ↑ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
  10. ↑ Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. Leimarel and Panthoibi. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.
  11. ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1997). The Pleasing of the Gods: Meitei Lai Haraoba. Vikas Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-259-0416-8.
  12. ↑ Singh, L. Bhagyachandra (1991). A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. p. 147.
  13. ↑ Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. Leimarel and Phouleima. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.
  14. ↑ Session, North East India History Association (1999). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
  15. ↑ Kaushal, Molly; Arts, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the (2001). Chanted Narratives: The Living "katha-vachana" Tradition. Leimarel and Thoibi. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. ISBN 978-81-246-0182-2.
  16. ↑ "Emoinu day". e-pao.net.
  17. ↑ "Emoinu Eratpa celebrated". e-pao.net.
  18. ↑ "Imoinu Iratpa extensively held all over". e-pao.net.
  19. ↑ "Panthoibi celebrations under way". telegraphindia.com.
  20. ↑ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  21. ↑ "Irat Thouni of Phouoibi". e-pao.net.
  22. ↑ Gupta, Om (2006). Encyclopaedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8205-389-2.
  23. ↑ Shivhare, Vishal (2016-08-17). Vyapar Shastra. Jaico Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-8495-898-0.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Singh, Dr Th Suresh (2014-06-02). The Endless Kabaw Valley: British Created Visious Cycle of Manipur, Burma and India. Quills Ink Publishing. ISBN 978-93-84318-00-0.
  25. ↑ "All-women Imphal market reopens after 10 months". m.timesofindia.com.
  26. ↑ "Laihui Ensemble Manipur – Phou-oibi, the Rice Goddess to perform at Esplanade Theatre Studio Singapore". www.manipur.org.
  27. ↑ "Phou-Oibi, the Rice Goddess by Laihui Ensemble". sgmagazine.com.
  28. ↑ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar : 01st apr17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
  29. ↑ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar – Manipur News".
  30. ↑ Gurumayum, Maheshwar. "Film Release - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2022-02-09.

Bibliography[change | change source]

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