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Akongjamba (Meitei: ꯑꯀꯣꯡꯆꯥꯝꯄ) was a nobleman in Ancient Moirang in Meitei mythology.[1][2] He was a lover of the harvest Goddess Phouoibi.[3][4][5] According to mythology, fate did not permit the lovers to unite, so they reincarnated.[6] The lives of the two legendary lovers were believed to be enacted by Thangjing as a part of the epic cycles of incarnations (Moirang Saiyon of the Moirang Kangleirol legends).[7]
| Akongjamba | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Thangjing |
| In-universe information | |
| Alias | Akongchampa |
| Gender | Male |
| Title | Nobleman of Ancient Moirang |
| Occupation | Nobleman of the Moirang Kingdom |
| Affiliation | Moirang Saiyon, Moirang Kangleirol, Meitei mythology, Meitei folklore |
| Family | Thoidingjam |
| Spouse | Thoidingjambi |
| Religion | Meitei religion (Sanamahism) |
| Origin | Moirang Kingdom |
Legends
editAccording to a legend, Goddess Phouoibi (pronounced Fouoibi) set out on a journey along with Ngaleima and Thumleima. In Moirang, her trying to cross the river coincided with the presence of hunter Akongjamba. He instantaneously fell in love with her.[1][6]
Several days later, Phouoibi went to Akongjamba's house, disguising herself as a tribal woman (Meitei: haonupi or haonubi). While he was not at home,[2] his mother (Akongjamba's wife in another version) did not give Phouoibi shelter. Additionally, his mother tried to hit Phouoibi with a broom. As a divine being could lose their powers at the touch of profane objects, Phouoibi fled to the home's chicken coop and transformed into a chicken. Akongjamba's mother who was ascetic in chasing Phouoibi out, wanted to ensure that the 'tribal woman' had not stolen any of her chickens.[8] In counting her precious chickens, however, the mother had failed to notice the additional one.[clarification needed] Unnoticed, Phouoibi spent the night inside the chicken coop. The next day, she metamorphosed to a divine form in a resplendent, glowing dress. Standing at the entrance of the house, she shouted for Akongjamba's mother to come out. After the confused lady walked out, Phouoibi gave her an unprecedented payment for spending a night at the henhouse -- she shook an enormous heap of golden grain off her dress -- Akongjamba's mother was spellbound at this.[1][6][8]
When Akongjamba returned home, he found the pile of the golden grain as high as a hill. His mother told him about what had unfolded. He soon realised that the strange lady was Phouoibi, his ladylove. He immediately followed her path. When he found her, Akongjamba pleaded that she return home with him. She responded that they were not destined to be together, for the stars were not aligned. Without an iota of sorrow, Phouoibi had disappeared.[8]
In popular culture
edit- Phou-oibi, the rice goddess is a 2009 ballad opera performed by the Laihui Ensemble. It is based on the love story of Phouoibi and Akongjamba.[9][10]
- Phouoibi Shayon is a 2017 Manipuri mythology movie based on the love story of Phouoibi and Akongjamba.[11][12][13]
See also
editReferences
edit
- ^ a b c Session, North East India History Association (1999). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
- ^ a b Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
- ^ Caesar, Thounaojam; Sanasam, Reena (28 June 2018). "The Oral Folk Literature of the Ancient Meiteis of Manipur: An Analysis of its Cultural Significance". Space and Culture, India. 6 (1): 29–37. doi:10.20896/saci.v6i1.307. ISSN 2052-8396. S2CID 64923994.
- ^ Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (11 May 2018). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0.
- ^ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
- ^ a b c Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
- ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
- ^ a b c Roy, L. Somi (21 June 2021). And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-91149-65-9.
- ^ "Laihui Ensemble Manipur – Phou-oibi, the Rice Goddess to perform at Esplanade Theatre Studio Singapore". www.manipur.org.
- ^ "Phou-Oibi, the Rice Goddess by Laihui Ensemble". sgmagazine.com.
- ^ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar : 01st apr17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
- ^ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar – Manipur News". 31 March 2017.
- ^ Gurumayum, Maheshwar. "Film Release - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2022.