Imoinu or Emoinu ( mni, ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ) is a goddess associated with household,

hearth A hearth () is the place in a home where a fire is or was traditionally kept for home heating and for cooking, usually constituted by at least a horizontal hearthstone and often enclosed to varying degrees by any combination of reredos (a low, ...

, family,

fireplace A fireplace or hearth is a structure made of brick, stone or metal designed to contain a fire. Fireplaces are used for the relaxing ambiance they create and for heating a room. Modern fireplaces vary in heat efficiency, depending on the desig ...

, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity in

Meitei mythology Meitei mythology or Manipuri mythology ( mni, Meitei Mi Lai Tingi Wari) is a collection of myths, belonging to the religious and cultural traditions of the Meitei people, the predominant ethnic group of Manipur. It is associated with tradit ...

and

religion Religion is usually defined as a social- cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that generally relates humanity to supernatural ...

Ancient Kangleipak The Manipur Kingdom was an ancient independent kingdom at the India–Burma frontier that was in subsidiary alliance with British India from 1824, and became a princely state in 1891. It bordered Assam Province in the west and Britis ...

( Antique Manipur). She is frequently associated with Leimarel Sidabi. She is regarded as one of the incarnations or representations of goddess Leimarel Sidabi. In

, Imoinu is known for her sense of humor. Generally, she is portrayed as "an old woman", as her name means " great grandmother" in Meitei language. The personality of Imoinu and other goddesses like Panthoibi and Phouoibi depict as well as influence the boldness, courage, independence,

righteousness Righteousness is the quality or state of being morally correct and justifiable. It can be considered synonymous with "rightness" or being "upright". It can be found in Indian religions and Abrahamic traditions, among other religions, as a theolog ...

and social honour of

Meitei women Women have significant roles in different elements of Meitei culture, including Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology, Sanamahism, Meitei religion, etc. Women as goddesses Bes ...

Etymology and nomenclature

The meaning of the name "Emoinu Ahongbi" ("ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ ꯑꯍꯣꯡꯕꯤ") can be found by splitting it up word by word. Here, "E" ("ꯏ") refers to human being. "Moi" ("ꯃꯣꯢ" or "ꯃꯣꯏ") refers to rearing. "Nu" ("ꯅꯨ") refers to female deity or goddess. So, "Emoinu" means ''goddess who rears the human beings''. "Ahongbi" means ''giver of plentiful household properties''. The name ''Imoinu'' (''Emoinu'') stands for the goddess rearing the human beings. The first-word syllable ''E'' (/ee/) means human beings, ''moi'' (/moy/) meaning rearing and ''nu'' meaning Goddess. ''Ahongbi'' means giver of the household properties plentifully. ''Ibendhou'' (''Ebendhou'') meaning great-grandmother.

Description

Dr. Parratt described Emoinu Ahongbi (alias Emoinu Ahong Achaubi) as another form of Goddess Leimarel Sidabi. Leimarel Sidabi is the supreme mother. Imoinu is regarded as an ever resourceful lady. She always gives wealth and prosperity to the mankind. She was shown as having a human appearance. She resides near the fire hearth. The goddess is believed to be the controller and regulator of good conduct and behavior of the human beings. Imoinu Ahong Achaubi is a deity for good moral behavior, besides wealth and prosperity. As a social code of conduct, a Meitei woman should go out from home only after prayers and worship of the goddess and other household deities. When she returns home, she should pray to the deity. The

Meitei people The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...

believed that goddess Imoinu lives in the houses of those who strictly obey her favorite social and moral behavior norms. Imoinu blesses such people with ''nungai yaifaba'' (well being and prosperity), ''watta padaba'' (having neither shortage nor excess), ''tekta kaidaba'' (unaffected by troubles of life) and ''punshi nungshangba'' (long life). These are the basic needs of life in the human world.

Texts

There are many ancient texts which mentioned the description of the deity. A few of them include ''"Emoinu Tengtharol"'', ''"Emoinu Mingkheirol"'', ''"Yumsharol"'', ''"Malem Chukkhong Puya"'' and so on. An excerpt from the hymns depicting goddess Emoinu goes like this :

Emoinu Lairelbigi Tengtharol

Hayahe Lahannong Korou Longlon taret Malem Leirol taret houngeida Amam Leishinarapi Atinga Shidabagi pukning amamba anganba awangbadagi matam ahum machu ahumdagi louduna shidabagi Ee tangkhai oithangba shakhaidagi shakhiye haibagi Emoinu kouye . Atinga ahangbada hongna chaona thoklakle haibagi Ahong Achoubi kouye. Hayi-ngei taibang yumthong laipham arubada leirure. Mangangda yahoure , Luwangda yahipnare, khumanda chaktanare; Iyakham,Inukham, Leimaloisang karong phabi kouye.

And in another hymn, the goddess is addressed like this:

He Ima leishirel leipunbi , Leimarel shawon oiribi . Achi tat-tabi Athong kangdabi; Emoinu Ahong Achaobi. Tara chakning khakna chakshoubi, Wanglei yenning khakna yenshoubi. Wayel wangam thourangbi , Huyel lancheng Shaphabi. Ingi khutchingli oiribi, Pegi chahum oiribi . Heepokpi ,Yaipokpi Heeleima, Yaileima ,Heekubi Yaikubi Yaishna kouna mingkheibi; Leima taret shawonbi. Naktha leima paotoibi , Phurep leima luchaobi. Phurep changjou oiribi, Phuron wanlon-nungda yatabi. Ayuk chara nongdambi. Numidang chara nongkhaibi . Taibang naoyok naokonbio! He Ima haosham tongdamnabi, Emoinu ahong achaobio! Areinu leishinbirak-o ,ahumnu humjinbirak-o! Kangla chira marimaktagi , Malem maikei nipalmaktagi. Ingi khurji ching-bagum chingshinbiyu, Pegi chahum shup-pagum shupchinbiyu. Achi tatpiganu akhong kangbiganu. Tara chakning khakna chakshoubiyu, Wanglei yen-ning khakna yenshoubiyu. He Ima! Nganglou thambal manba , Khoimom shana nakhongkhada, Taibang nongshapangi nadairem wakmana, Manbi khutapnana mukmu leiton kon Kaobi chira luk malem thourei leika paina. Changjou leipaknana khoimom nakhongkhada, Chepna non-na purumjari. Hung pokpi hung pokpi tu Takup takup haoku haokup Leihipun tarengching heeng koubi; Thup thup koubi layolang tanoubi koubi Ima! Lengshinbiyu , nanaina katchabashi loubiyu, Lengdana leibiyu Ima!

This is a common hymn dedicated to goddess Emoinu, chanted by devotees during her worshipping rituals.

Mythology

According to ancient Meitei text ''"Lairembi Nongumlol"'', the Sky God Salailen Sidaba has seven daughters, whom he sent them down to earth to prosper the human civilization. All the goddesses were given a certain task to serve in their future. In that event, a goddess was given the task to be associated with peace, wealth and prosperity. Later, she came to be known as "Emoinu Ahongbi".

Origin

After the creation of the sky and the planets, Sidaba ( omp, Sitapa) (the Supreme Being) ordered His wife, Leimarel Sidabi ( omp, Leimalel Sitapi) (the first woman) to produce another Leimarel. The second Leimarel would be the second woman. Her responsibility was to take care of the mankind on the planet called

earth Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. While large volumes of water can be found throughout the Solar System, only Earth sustains liquid surface water. About 71% of Earth's surf ...

. Goddess Leimarel Sidabi obeyed her divine husband's order. She created another Leimarel. The appearance of the second Leimarel was similar to the first Leimarel. The first Leimarel named the second Leimarel as ''"Emoinu Ahongbi"''.

Lover

Once goddess Imoinu fell in love with a man. The two became lovers. They swore to be husband and wife. One day, she visited his house in his absence. She discovered that he was already married to another woman. After knowing this, she sacrificed her love. She swore on not to see the man again. She never married to anyone. So, she remained as a virgin goddess.

Worship

Ancient worship

Imoinu (Emoinu) is a hearth deity. She is annually worshipped on the 12th of the Meitei month of Wakching (December–January interface month). Despite this annual event, she is also worshipped everyday. The daily worship is a part of a Meitei ritual. It is done in every Meitei household with the offering of little cooked rice before eating.

Modern worship

Nowadays, there is little or no households with proper phunga lairu (traditional fire hearth). So, a modern fireplace is developed. Here, traditional rites and rituals are performed in honor of the goddess. There are a lot of changes in the way of worshipping Goddess Imoinu. However, the essence and the importance always remain the same as forever.

Abode

There are two major places in a household where the deity could be worshipped:- * One abode is at the fireplace ''"Phunga Lairu"'' of the kitchen of the household. * Another place is at the "''Sanamahi Kachin''", the South western corner of the household.

Ritual

''Ebendhou Emoinu'' is offered from the first serving of every meal prepared in a Meitei household. The serving is made by placing three servings of the cooked

rice Rice is the seed of the grass species '' Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly '' Oryza glaberrima'' (African rice). The name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera '' Zizania'' and ''Porteresia'', both wild and domestica ...

on a plate that is set aside. These offerings should be only vegetarian foods or

fish Fish are aquatic, craniate, gill-bearing animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish as well as various extinct related groups. Approximately 95% ...

. The household members are asked to maintain discipline, be respectful, and be tidy so as to please Emoinu.

Festival

The ''Imoinu Iratpa'' (''Emoinu Eratpa'') is a religious festival dedicated to goddess Imoinu (Emoinu). It is celebrated on the 12th of Wakching month (December–January interface month) every year. Traditionally, worship and prayers are performed inside every households. Nowadays, Imoinu Iratpa festival is also celebrated in a larger way in public gathering clubs also. Wherever the festival is performed, seasonal fruits, vegetables and fish are offered to goddess Imoinu. '' Imoinu Iratpa'' is observed every 12th day of the Meitei lunar month, Waakching (Dec-Jan in gregorian calendar). On this day, especially at night, Emoinu is offered what each can, particularly fish curries as dinner for Emoinu and a variety of cuisines in odd numbers.

Namesakes

In commerce

Ima Keithel ( en,

Mothers' Market ) , other_name = , nickname = Nupi Keithel ( en, Women's Market) Khwairamband Keithel ( en, Khwairamband Market) , settlement_type = , image_skyline = , ima ...

) is the world's only women run market. It has three major building complexes. ''Imoinu Ima Keithel'' is the Complex Number 2 of the market. It is preceded by Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 1) and followed by Phouoibi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 3). This 500 years old market is in the center of

Imphal Imphal ( Meitei pronunciation: /im.pʰal/; English pronunciation: ) is the capital city of the Indian state of Manipur. The metropolitan centre of the city contains the ruins of Kangla Palace (also known as Kangla Fort), the royal seat of the ...

Manipur Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a States and territories of India, state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It ...

References

Bibliography

Emoinu Ahongbi Tungnapham by Budhichandra, Yumnamcha

Holy Man by Dhiren Meitei,a.k

Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul by Neelabi, Sairem

Leeklam by Apunba Shintha Lup

External links

E-pao, Imoinu

E-pao, Emoinu

Internet Archive, Imoinu

Internet Archive, Emoinu

Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary, Imoinu
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