Helloi
Female nature spirit[1]
Seven Hellois peeping at a young man
Other names
  • Heloi
  • Lam Leima
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
AbodesForests, lakes, mountains, heaven
NumberSeven
TextsPuYas
GenderFemale
RegionAncient Kangleipak (early Manipur)
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
Personal information
Parents
  • Salailen (Soraren) (father)
Equivalents
Greek equivalentNymphs,[2][3] Sirens

A Helloi or Heloi is a female nature spirit in Meitei mythology, folklore and religion.[1][4] Hellois are often depicted in the forms of beautiful young women. They are often associated with seduction of men. They are the most powerful among the female spirits. They can cause diseases.[1][5] The hellois are often known for their charming beauty, ecological balance and seduction of males.[6] Hellois are sometimes seen as evil spirits in the forms of beautiful maidens.[7]

Helloi Taret (Meitei for 'Seven Hellois') are the seven sisters. They stay in the thick bushes or dark and dense forests.[8] They also live in other places of wilderness like rivers and meadows.[9]

In Meitei mythology

Hellois are one of the most common female spirits believed in Meitei mythology and folklore.[10] According to the Maibas (Meitei for 'priests'), hellois are the most powerful female spirits. They could spread diseases, especially sexually transmitted infections. Hellois attack men and cause disorder of mind. From men, women may get sick in their sexual organs. According to belief, the highest rate of such attacks occurs in March and April. It is the time of celebrating Yaoshang, a spring festival. At the same time, Thabal Chongba occasions are performed by both men and women.[11]

In Meitei religion

Helloi Oknaba (Meitei for 'Encounter with Hellois') is one of the most common events of meeting with supernatural beings in Meitei folklore. Challenges to or conflicts with the hellois often make one's life unhappy. In such cases, one may get sick, mental imbalance and temporary madness. If such people are not properly treated by a maiba or a maibi, the symptoms may continue long. It may lead to permanent madness (mental impairment). One who meets a helloi often acts in abnormal and mentally challenged ways.[12] For example, the victims may not be able to recognize his family members and friends. However, the victims could still communicate with the very helloi. The spirit may not easily leave the victim. She will demand something in return to leave the victim. Thus, Hellois seek their needs by bewitching people.[13]

The maibas perform rites and rituals to prevent attraction and attacks on men by the hellois. They feed the spirits with animal faeces and some specially prepared ritual foods.[14]

Hellois and Hingchabis

Hellois and Hingchabis are the two most popular forms of female spirits in Meitei mythology and folklore.[15] But these two mythical beings are not almost all similar. Hellois are wandering spirits.[16] On the other hand, Hingchabis live inside some women. They exposed their supernatural powers into the bodies of the victims. They cause illness, mental sufferings, bad luck, and sometimes even death to the victims.[17][18]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a Traditional Society: Women of the Manipur Valley. Shakti Books. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  2. ↑ Saha, Ranajit Kumar (1994). Valley Society of Manipur: A Cultural Frontier of Indian Civilization. Punthi-Pustak. ISBN 978-81-85094-82-3.
  3. ↑ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1998). Recent Researches in Oriental Indological Studies: Including Meiteilogy. Parimal Publications.
  4. ↑ Chirom Rajketan Singh; Sadananda Mayanglambam (2013). A collection of Essays in Manipuri Folklore. p. 129.
  5. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  6. ↑ "Haloi Taret Dangerous Beauty Ecological Balance and Male Submission By Rubani Yumkhaibam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  7. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  8. ↑ The Anthropologist: International Journal of Contemporary and Applied Studies of Man. Kamla-Raj Enterprises. 2003.
  9. ↑ Chirom Rajketan Singh; Sadananda Mayanglambam (2013). A collection of Essays in Manipuri Folklore. p. 129.
  10. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  11. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  12. ↑ Chirom Rajketan Singh; Sadananda Mayanglambam (2013). A collection of Essays in Manipuri Folklore. p. 129.
  13. ↑ Chirom Rajketan Singh; Sadananda Mayanglambam (2013). A collection of Essays in Manipuri Folklore. p. 135.
  14. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  15. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  16. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  17. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 119. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  18. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society: women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
  19. ↑ "LAIREMBIGEE ESHEI (SONG OF THE NYMPHS) – 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2020". Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  20. ↑ "HELLOY Between conscious and sub-consciousness: A film by G. Narayan Sharma". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  21. ↑ "Dr. Hemogee Heloi (2013)". KLMDb. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
  22. ↑ Gurumayum, William. "When I was in BJP I was like Dr. Hemo of the Manipuri film Dr. Hemogi Helloi- O Joy". Imphal Times. Retrieved 2022-11-03.

Bibliography

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