Noinu Thumleima
(/noy-noo thoom-lei-ma/)
Goddess of salt and salt wells[1]
Member of Lairembis
"Thumleima" written in the archaic Meitei Mayek abugida
Other namesThumkhong Lairembi[2]
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
AbodesSalt brines
SymbolSalts
TextsPhouoibi Waron
GenderFemale
RegionAncient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Personal information
Parents
  • Salailen (Soraren) (father)
Siblings
Equivalents
Greek equivalentAmphitrite
Roman equivalentSalacia
Term
EnglishThumleima
Ancient Meiteiꯅꯣꯢꯅꯨ ꯊꯨꯝꯂꯩꯃ / ꯅꯣꯏꯅꯨ ꯊꯨꯝꯂꯩꯃ
(noi-noo thoom-lei-ma)
Modern Meiteiꯊꯨꯝꯈꯣꯡ ꯂꯥꯢꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ / ꯊꯨꯝꯈꯣꯡ ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ
(thoom-khong lai-rem-bee)
Assameseথুমলৈমা
(thoom-lei-ma)
Bengaliথুমলৈমা
(thoom-lei-ma)
Hindiथूमलैमा / थुमलैमा
(thoom-lei-ma)
Sanamahism

Noinu Thumleima (Meitei pronunciation: nói.nu tʰum.lə́i.mə) or Thumkhong Lairembi[2] (Old Manipuri: Thumkhong Lailempi) is the goddess of salt and salt wells in Meitei mythology and religion of ancient Manipur (Antique Kangleipak).[1][3][4][5][6] She is a sister (or friend) of the goddesses, Phouoibi (Phouleima), Ngaleima and Ereima (Ireima).[1] People pray to her so there will be enough salt. Salt is an important part of the human diet.[3]

According to the "Recent Researches in Oriental Indological Studies: Including Meiteilogy" by Moirangthem Kirti Singh, the goddess is a wife of Pakhangba, the royal deity.[2]

Etymology

The Meitei female given name "Thumleima" (tʰum.lə́i.mə, ꯊꯨꯝꯂꯩꯃ) is made of two words. These words are "Thum" (tʰum, ꯊꯨꯝ) and "Leima" (lə́i.mə, ꯂꯩꯃ). In Meitei, "Thum" (tʰum, ꯊꯨꯝ) means salt, usually the common salt.[7] In Meitei, "Leima" (lə́i.mə, ꯂꯩꯃ) means queen, mistress or lady.[8]

"Thumkhong Lairembi", another name of goddess Thumleima, written in medieval Meetei Mayek abugida

Another name of goddess Thumleima is "Thumkhong Lairembi" (ꯊꯨꯝꯈꯣꯡ ꯂꯥꯢꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ). The Meitei word "Thumkhong" (tʰum.kʰoŋ, ꯊꯨꯝꯈꯣꯡ) is made up of two component words, "Thum" (tʰum, ꯊꯨꯝ) and "Khong" (kʰoŋ, ꯈꯣꯡ). "Thum" (ꯊꯨꯝ) means salt. "Khong" (kʰoŋ, ꯈꯣꯡ) means mine (of salt or metallic ores).[9] So, "Thumkhong" (tʰum.kʰoŋ, ꯊꯨꯝꯈꯣꯡ) means salt ditch or salt brine or salt mine or salt well.[10] Another Meitei word "Lairembi" (ꯂꯥꯢꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ) is made up of three component words, "Lai" (ꯂꯥꯢ), "-rem" (-ꯔꯦꯝ) and "bi" (ꯕꯤ). "Lai" (ꯂꯥꯢ) means "God". "-rem" (-ꯔꯦꯝ) or "-lem" (-ꯂꯦꯝ) means "excellent". "bi" (ꯕꯤ) or "pi" (ꯄꯤ) is a suffix to denote feminine gender. So, "Lairembi" (ꯂꯥꯢꯔꯦꯝꯕꯤ) means a goddess.[11]

Association with other goddesses

Thumleima is one of the divine manifestations of Leimarel (Leimalel). Leimalel is the supreme mother earth goddess. It is said that Leimalel becomes Thumleima when she is in the salt mine.[3][12] Thumleima is also considered as one of the divine incarnations of goddess Imoinu.[6]

See also

  • Panthoibi, Meitei goddess of civilization, love, and warfare

References

  1. 1 2 3 Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  2. 1 2 3 Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1998). Recent Researches in Oriental Indological Studies: Including Meiteilogy. Parimal Publications.
  3. 1 2 3 Leimarel Mingkhei (in Manipuri). 1970. p. 19 – via archive.org.
  4. ↑ Folklore Society (Great Britain) (1890). Folklore. Robarts - University of Toronto. London, Folk-lore Society.
  5. ↑ Jacobs, Joseph; Nutt, Alfred Trübner; Wright, Arthur Robinson; Crooke, William (1913). Folklore. Folklore Society.
  6. 1 2 Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
  7. ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Thum". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  8. ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Leima". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  9. ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Khong". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  10. ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Thum+Khong". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  11. ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Lairembi". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  12. ↑ Singh, L. Bhagyachandra (1991). A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. p. 73.
  13. ↑ "Laihui Ensemble Manipur – Phou-oibi, the Rice Goddess to perform at Esplanade Theatre Studio Singapore". www.manipur.org.
  14. ↑ "Phou-Oibi, the Rice Goddess by Laihui Ensemble". sgmagazine.com.
  15. ↑ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar : 01st apr17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
  16. ↑ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar – Manipur News". 31 March 2017.
  17. ↑ Gurumayum, Maheshwar. "Film Release - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
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