Henjunaha and Lairoulembi

Story of Henjunaha and Lairoulembi
A book art depicting Henjunaha fighting the evil spirits, holding a polostick, and Lairoulembi, committing suicide by thrusting a knife into herself, in the second epic cycles of incarnations of the two divine lovers in Moirang, Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur)
Folk tale
NameStory of Henjunaha and Lairoulembi
Also known asHenjunaha Lairoulembi (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha Lailoulempi)
Aarne–Thompson groupingno
MythologyMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology)
Country Ancient Kangleipak (historical)
 India (present)
RegionMoirang, Manipur[1]
RelatedMeitei folklore (Manipuri folklore),
Meitei literature (Manipuri literature)

The Henjunaha Lairoulembi (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha Lailoulempi), also known as the Henjunaha Lairuklembi (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha Lailuklempi), shortly known as the Henjunaha (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha), is a legendary epic love story of Henjunaha Yangleingamba (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha Yangleingampa) and Thongnang Lairoulembi (Old Manipuri: Thongnang Lailoulempi). It is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang province of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur).[2][3]

The legend accounts for the unconditional love affairs between Henjunaha, a fatherless lad brought up by a poor widowed mother, and Lairoulembi, a lady, brought up by a rich father, who were separated by their fates with the murder of Henjunaha by the evil spirits. However, defying all the odds, Lairoulembi followed her lover by committing suicide and succeeded in pleasing Thongalen (Thongaren), the God of death to send both of them back to the human world once again.[4][5][6]

  1. ^ Devi, Nunglekpam Premi (14 April 2018). "A Glimpse of Manipuri Literary Works".
  2. ^ Devi, Nunglekpam Premi (14 April 2018). "A Glimpse of Manipuri Literary Works".
  3. ^ Singh, Wahengbam Ibohal (1986). "The History of Manipur: An early period".
  4. ^ "Henjunaha Part 1 Folktale By James Oinam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  5. ^ "Henjunaha Part 2 Folktale By James Oinam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  6. ^ "Henjunaha Part 3 Folktale By James Oinam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 13 October 2022.