Haoreima

Haoreima
diseases, illnesses, souls and spirits<
Member of Lairembis
A sculpture of Haoreima in Tangkhul costume, in a shrine in the Kakching Garden, Kakching district, Manipur
Other namesHaoma Liklang Saphabi, Haorang Leisang Saphabi, Lara Lasangnu, Luirala, Haoleima, Haoleipi, Haoreibi, Haonupi, Haonubi, Hauleima, Haureima, Hauleipi, Haureibi, Haunupi, Haunubi[1]
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult centreKakching
AbodeKakching
SymbolBasket
GenderFemale
RegionManipur
Ethnic groupaffiliated to Meitei people; originated with the Tangkhul Naga people.
Genealogy
Died
Kakching

Haoreima (Meitei: ꯍꯥꯎꯔꯩꯃ, lit.'tribal lady') or Haoleima (Old Manipuri: ꯍꯥꯎꯂꯩꯃ)[2] is a goddess of tragic love and separation in Meitei mythology and Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur.[1][3]: 603 >[4] According to some legends, she was a woman from the hills, who was killed while arranging to meet her lover, and turned into a tortured spirit. She is regarded as an incarnation of Goddess Panthoibi.[5] She is also identified with the goddess Nongthang Leima.[3]

She is also worshipped as goddess Ireima, an incarnation of the goddess Panthoibi. She is one of the most revered Meitei goddesses although to the Tangkhul people, she isn't a goddess but rather a historical figure, daughter of a tribal village chief. As well as being the Goddess of tragic love and separation is also regarded as the Goddess of diseases, souls and spirits.[3]: 603 [1]

According to legend, Haoreima was the daughter of Khelemba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingdai village. She was already married to Khamlangba, a Tangkhul chief of Chingshong village. Despite marrying Khamlangba, she had a secret love affair with King Meidingu Tabungba, also known as Tabung Saphaba (1359-1394). Upon discovering the secret relationship, Khamlangba angrily beheads Tabung Saphaba.[1] Traumatized by his violent death, Haoreima takes the head of her lover to the Kanglei Pungmayol. Later, she is transformed into a goddess.

  1. ^ a b c d Hareshwar Goshwami (2004). History of the People of Manipur (Revised ed.). London: Yaol Publishing. pp. 214–215. ISBN 978-1-9993057-0-3.
  2. ^ Kirti Singh, Moirangthem (1988). Religion and culture of Manipur (1. ed.). Delhi: Manas Publications. ISBN 9788170490210. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Brahmacharimayum Kulachandra Sharma. চৈথারোল কুমপাপা (in Manipuri). Bharat Ek Khoj, Internet Archive. Manipuri Sahitya Parishad, Assam. p. 403.
  4. ^ Memchoubi (1998). Eigee Palem Nungshibee (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal, Internet Archive. Digital Library of India. p. 17.
  5. ^ Shekhawat, Seema; Re, Emanuela C. Del (2017-12-18). Women and Borders: Refugees, Migrants and Communities. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 227. ISBN 978-1-83860-987-0.