| Phouoibi | |
|---|---|
Goddess of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, paddy, rice and wealth | |
| Member of Lairembis | |
| Other names | Fouoibi, Fouoipi, Fouleima, Foureima, Phouoipi, Phouleima, Phoureima |
| Affiliation | Epic cycles of incarnations, Meitei mythology and Sanamahism |
| Abodes | Farms and Fields |
| Artifacts | Round black stone kept inside a pot |
| Symbol | Paddy |
| Texts | Phouoibi Warol |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) |
| Ethnic group | Meitei ethnicity |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents |
|
| Siblings | Thumleima, Ngaleima and Ereima (Ireima) |
| Consort | Phou Ningthou |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek | Demeter[1] |
| Roman | Ceres[2][3] |
| Part of a series on |
| Meitei mythology |
|---|
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 Myths portal |
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Phouoibi or Phouleima is the goddess and the female personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvest, paddy, rice and wealth in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur).[4][5][6][7] She is the lover of Akongjamba, a hero in ancient legends.[8] But fate does not permit the lovers to unite. So, Phouoibi and Akongjamba reincarnated in the legends.[5][7] She was sent by Thangching to Moirang) kingdom to make the human world prosperous.[9] The legends of her love with Akongjamba were believed to be enacted by Thangching as a part of the Moirang Saiyon legends.[10]
Phouoibi is a spirit of the rice. So, she is not a member of the Umang Lais.[11]
The characters of Phouoibi and other goddesses, including Panthoibi and Emoinu, depict, as well as influence, the boldness, courage, independence, righteousness and social honour of Meitei women.[12] The Meitei people believe that the gleaming black stone is a personification of the goddess, which if kept inside the earthenware pot of the granary, will bring good luck and prosperity, as long as it shines.[13][14]
- ^ Rao, Nitya; Rürup, Luise (1997). A Just Right: Women's Ownership of Natural Resources and Livelihood Security. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. p. 175. ISBN 978-81-7440-044-4.
- ^ Rao, Nitya; Rürup, Luise (1997). A Just Right: Women's Ownership of Natural Resources and Livelihood Security. Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. p. 175. ISBN 978-81-7440-044-4.
- ^ Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi (16 June 2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. India. p. 8. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Paniker, K. Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.
- ^ a b Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
- ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.
- ^ a b Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (25 November 2020). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2.
- ^ Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (11 May 2018). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0.
- ^ Session, North East India History Association (1999). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
- ^ Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.
- ^ Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1980). Religion Of Manipur. Firma Klm. p. 91.
- ^ Kipgen, Tingneichong G. (2010). Women's Role in the 20th Century Manipur: A Historical Study. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-7835-803-1.
- ^ PhD, Patricia Monaghan (1 April 2014). Encyclopedia of Goddesses and Heroines. New World Library. ISBN 978-1-60868-218-8.
- ^ Hamilton, Roy W.; Ammayao, Aurora (2003). The Art of Rice: Spirit and Sustenance in Asia. UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. ISBN 978-0-930741-98-3.