Akongjamba
"Akongchampa", an ancient Meitei (old Manipuri) name of Akongjamba, written in archaic Meitei Mayek abugida
Created byThangjing
In-universe information
AliasAkongchampa
GenderMale
TitleNobleman of Ancient Moirang
OccupationNobleman of the Moirang Kingdom
AffiliationMoirang Saiyon, Moirang Kangleirol, Meitei mythology, Meitei folklore
FamilyThoidingjam
SpouseThoidingjambi
ReligionMeitei religion (Sanamahism)
OriginMoirang Kingdom

Akongjamba (Old Manipuri: Akongchampa) was a nobleman of a king in Ancient Moirang in Meitei mythology and folklore.[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]

Legends

According to legends, Goddess Phouoibi (Fouoibi) set out for a journey along with Ngaleima and Thumleima. In Moirang, when she was trying to cross a river, Akongjamba came to the river for hunting. At first sight, he fell in love with Phouoibi. They then became great lovers.[1][6]

Many days later, Phouoibi went to Akongjamba's house, disguising herself as a tribal woman (Meitei: haonupi or haonubi). Akongjamba was not at home,[2] and his mother (Akongjamba's wife in another version) did not give Phouoibi shelter. Additionally, the mother tried to hit Phouoibi with a broom. As a divine being could lose their powers at the touch of profane objects, like brooms, Phouoibi fled to the home's chicken coop and transformed into a chicken. As a result, Akongjamba's mother attempted to chased her out, and then she counted the number of chickens.[8] The mother counted the correct number of chickens, so she thought Phouoibi was gone. On the contrary, Phouoibi spent the night inside the dirty henhouse. The next day, she went back to her true divine maiden form in a glowing dress. She called Akongjamba's mother to come out, and gave her the payment for spending a night at her place. She shook an enormous heap of golden grain off her body. The grains fell in the middle of the courtyard of the house, and she left in the south east direction. Akongjamba's mother was surprised at this.[1][6][8]

When Akongjamba returned home, he found the pile of golden grain as high as a hill in front of the courtyard. His mother told him the entire story, and he realised that the strange lady was Phouoibi, his ladylove. He immediately followed her path. On the way, he found her and he pleaded her to return home with him, but she told him that they weren't destined to be together, so they could accomplish their work at birth. And then, Phouoibi left him.[8]

See also

References

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  1. 1 2 3 Session, North East India History Association (1999). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
  2. 1 2 Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  3. ↑ 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.
  4. ↑ Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (11 May 2018). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0.
  5. ↑ Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  6. 1 2 3 Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  7. ↑ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
  8. 1 2 3 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.
  9. ↑ "Laihui Ensemble Manipur – Phou-oibi, the Rice Goddess to perform at Esplanade Theatre Studio Singapore". www.manipur.org.
  10. ↑ "Phou-Oibi, the Rice Goddess by Laihui Ensemble". sgmagazine.com.
  11. ↑ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar : 01st apr17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
  12. ↑ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar – Manipur News". 31 March 2017.
  13. ↑ Gurumayum, Maheshwar. "Film Release - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
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