Haoreima

Haoreima
diseases, illnesses, souls and spirits
Member of Meitei deities
A sculpture of Haoreima in Tangkhul costume, in a shrine in the Kakching Garden, Kakching district, Manipur
Other names	Haoma Liklang Saphabi, Haorang Leisang Saphabi, Lara Lasangnu, Luirala, Haoleima, Haoleipi, Haoreibi, Haonupi, Haonubi, Hauleima, Haureima, Hauleipi, Haureibi, Haunupi, Haunubi[1]
Affiliation	Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult centre	Kakching
Abode	Kakching
Symbol	Basket
Gender	Female
Region	Manipur
Ethnic group	affiliated to Meitei people; originated from the Tangkhul 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 died unable 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]

Identities

She is also worshipped as goddess Ireima, an incarnation of the goddess Panthoibi. She is one of the most revered Meitei goddesses although originated from the Tangkhul people, she is not 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]}

Deification

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 CE). Her lover had an untimely death.^[1] Traumatized by his death, Haoreima went to the Kanglei Pungmayol (in modern day Imphal). Later, after her death, she is worshipped as a goddess.^[1]

See also

• Nongthang Leima

References

1. 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. 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.

External links