Samaton

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Samaton
Divine ancestor of Meitei horse (Manipuri pony)
Other namesSamadon Ayangba, Shamadon Ayangba, Samaton Ayangpa, Shamaton Ayangpa
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult centreHeingang hills
AbodeHeingang hill
GenderMale
RegionManipur
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Personal information
SpouseNgangrubi
Equivalents
Greek equivalentPegasus

Samaton (/saa-ma-ton/) or Samadon (/saa-ma-don/) is a mythical winged divine horse in Meitei mythology. He is one of the most recognised creatures in Meitei folklore.[1][2] Legend says that Samaton is the ancestor of the present day Manipuri pony (Meitei horse).[2] The Leithak Leikharol describes Samaton as a primordial horse associated with Meitei cosmology.[1] It is created by Sanamahi to attack on Pakhangba.[1] Later, it became the mounting creature of God Marjing.[2] It is also called "Shamadon Ayangba" (Meitei: ꯁꯃꯗꯣꯟ ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯕ) or "Shamaton Ayangpa" (Old Manipuri: ꯁꯃꯇꯣꯟ ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯄ) due to free variation of words in Meitei language (Manipuri language).

Samaton is praised in the ritual song of Ougri sung during the Lai Haraoba festival. Samaton is considered very important to Meitei culture because it is created from the body of God Sanamahi. During the deification of Meitei kings, Samaton became associated with kings as it was a divine being. So, Samaton became the insignia of royalty.[1]

In popular culture[change | change source]

In heraldry[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Chandra, Yashaswini (2021-01-22). The Tale of the Horse: A History of India on Horseback. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 978-93-89109-92-4.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 "The making of Hada Samaton Ayangba By M Ranjit". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2021-02-07.

Other websites[change | change source]

Meitei mythology & folklore

Mythic Texts and Folktales:
Numit Kappa | Moirang Kangleirol | Moirang Shayon | Khamba Thoibi | Sandrembi Chaisra
Fungawari Singbul | Funga Wari
Divinities:
Maikei Ngaakpa Lais | Leimalel | Sanamahi
Emoinu | Panthoipi
Legendary Creatures:
Dragons | Helloi | Hingchabi | Keibu Keioiba | Khoirentak tiger | Samadon Ayangba | Uchek Langmeidong
Mythical and Sacred Places:
Lai Lamlen | Khamnung | Kangla | Mt. Koupalu | Nongmaiching Hills | Thangching Hills