Imoinu
| Imoinu | |
|---|---|
Household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity | |
| Member of Lairembis | |
 Emoinu | |
| Other names |
|
| Affiliation | Meitei mythology and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) |
| Abodes | Phunga Lairu (fireplace), Sanamahi Kachin and Kitchen |
| Artifacts | Coin containers |
| Symbols | Senphu (coin container), Chengphu (rice pot) and Yotsabi (Tripod) |
| Texts | PuYas |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Ancient Kangleipak (Manipur) |
| Ethnic group | Meitei ethnicity |
| Festivals | Imoinu Iratpa (Emoinu Eratpa) |
| Greek equivalent | Hestia |
| Roman equivalent | Vesta |
| Hinduism equivalent | Lakshmi |
Imoinu (also known as Emoinu; Meitei: ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ, ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ) is a goddess in Meitei mythology and Meitei religion, particularly associated with the indigenous religious tradition of Sanamahism. She is regarded as the goddess of the household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity. In traditional Meitei belief, she is associated with the domestic hearth and the well-being of the family.
Imoinu is frequently associated with Leimarel Sidabi, the supreme mother goddess in Meitei mythology. Some religious and cultural accounts describe Imoinu as a form or representation of Leimarel Sidabi.
The personality and traditions associated with Emoinu, along with those of other Meitei goddesses such as Panthoibi and Phouoibi, have been discussed in relation to the cultural representation of Meitei women, including ideas of courage, independence, righteousness and social honour.
Name and etymology
The name Emoinu Ahongbi (ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ ꯑꯍꯣꯡꯕꯤ) has been explained through the meanings of its constituent words in traditional interpretations. According to one interpretation, "E" (ꯏ) refers to a human being, "Moi" (ꯃꯣꯢ or ꯃꯣꯏ) refers to rearing or nurturing, and "Nu" (ꯅꯨ) refers to a female deity or goddess. The name Emoinu is therefore interpreted as "the goddess who rears human beings". "Ahongbi" is interpreted as the giver of abundant household possessions.
Description and attributes
In Meitei religious tradition, Imoinu is associated with the household and its hearth. She is regarded as a provider of wealth, material well-being and prosperity. Her traditional abode is associated with the Phunga Lairu, the household fireplace.
In his study of Meitei religious philosophy, W. Yumjao Singh and other scholars have discussed Emoinu Ahongbi, also known as Emoinu Ahong Achaubi, as a form of Leimarel Sidabi. The goddess is described as resourceful and associated with wealth, prosperity and good conduct. She is traditionally represented in human form and believed to reside near the household hearth.
Moral and social significance
Traditional accounts also associate Imoinu with good moral conduct and behaviour. In these accounts, household members are expected to observe customary practices and offer prayers to the household deities when leaving and returning home.
According to these traditional beliefs, the goddess blesses households that observe appropriate social and moral conduct. Such blessings are described through expressions including:
- Nungai yaifaba – well-being and prosperity.
- Watta padaba – having neither shortage nor excess.
- Tekta kaidaba – remaining unaffected by the troubles of life.
- Punshi nungshangba – long life.
These expressions represent important aspects of well-being in traditional Meitei religious thought.
Mythology
Origin
According to a traditional account recorded in the text Emoinu Ahongbi Thounirol, after the creation of the sky and the planets, Sidaba, the Supreme Being, instructed his consort, Leimarel Sidabi, to create another Leimarel. This second female deity was given the responsibility of caring for humanity on Earth.
Leimarel Sidabi followed this instruction and created another female being resembling herself. The first Leimarel named this second being Emoinu Ahongbi.
The story of her unfulfilled love
One traditional narrative describes Imoinu as having fallen in love with a man with whom she intended to marry. When she visited his house in his absence, she discovered that he was already married to another woman. She subsequently renounced the relationship and vowed not to see him again. According to this narrative, she never married and remained a virgin goddess.
Worship
Traditional worship
Imoinu is traditionally worshipped as a household and hearth deity. Although she has a dedicated annual festival, worship of the goddess is also part of everyday household religious practice.
According to accounts of Meitei oral traditions, daily worship includes the offering of a small portion of cooked rice before a meal. This practice is associated with household rituals and the worship of Imoinu as the guardian of the domestic hearth.
Modern worship
Changes in household architecture and lifestyle have affected the traditional practice of hearth worship. The use of the traditional Phunga Lairu has declined in many households, with modern fireplaces and alternative household arrangements taking its place.
Despite these changes, traditional rites and rituals dedicated to Imoinu continue to be observed in contemporary households.
Festival
Imoinu Iratpa, also known as Emoinu Eratpa, is the annual religious festival dedicated to the goddess. It is observed on the 12th lunar day of the Meitei month of Wakching, which generally corresponds to the December–January period.
Traditionally, worship and prayers are performed within individual households. In contemporary times, the festival is also celebrated through larger public gatherings organised by clubs and cultural organisations.
Seasonal fruits, vegetables and fish are among the traditional offerings presented to the goddess during the festival.
Namesakes
In commerce
Ima Keithel (Mothers' Market) is a historic women-operated market in central Imphal, Manipur. The market is organised into three major building complexes, named after prominent Meitei goddesses.
The three complexes are:
- Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel – Complex No. 1.
- Imoinu Ima Keithel – Complex No. 2.
- Phouoibi Ima Keithel – Complex No. 3.
Imoinu Ima Keithel is the second complex of the market. The naming of the complexes reflects the presence of important female deities in Meitei religious and cultural traditions.
Related deities
- Ireima – Meitei goddess associated with water.
- Leimarel Sidabi – Meitei mother goddess associated with the earth.
- Ngaleima – Meitei goddess associated with fish.
- Panthoibi – Meitei goddess associated with civilisation, love and warfare.
- Phouoibi – Meitei goddess associated with agricultural crops.
- Thumleima – Meitei goddess associated with salt.
See also
References
- ↑ Singh, Rocky; Sharma, Mayur (2014). Highway on My Plate II: The Indian Guide to Roadside Eating. Random House India. p. 44. ISBN 978-81-8400-642-1.
- ↑ "A Hymn for Goddess Emoinu". E-Pao.
- ↑ "Meiteis celebrate Emoinu". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 9 December 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
- ↑ Devi, Yumlembam Gopi (2019). Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. Lulu.com. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
- 1 2 3 "Emoinu Ahongbi Thounirol (A Traditional Adoration to Goddess Emoinu)". E-Pao.
- ↑ Kipgen, Tingneichong G. (2010). Women's Role in the 20th Century Manipur: A Historical Study. Gyan Publishing House. p. 24. ISBN 978-81-7835-803-1.
- ↑ A Critical Study of the Religious Philosophy. 1991. p. 75.
- 1 2 A Critical Study of the Religious Philosophy. 1991. p. 165.
- ↑ Gill, Preeti (2014). The Peripheral Centre: Voices from India's Northeast. Zubaan. ISBN 978-93-83074-65-5.
- 1 2 Oral Narratives of Manipur. 2016. p. 231.
- ↑ "Emoinu Day". E-Pao.
- ↑ "Emoinu Eratpa celebrated". E-Pao.
- ↑ "Imoinu Iratpa extensively held all over". E-Pao.
- ↑ "All-women Imphal market reopens after 10 months". The Times of India. 16 February 2021.
Bibliography
- Emoinu Ahongbi Tungnapham by Yumnamcha Budhichandra.
- Holy Man by Dhiren Meitei.
- Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul by Sairem Neelabi.
- Leeklam by Apunba Shintha Lup.
External links
