Kabo Loi (Khamba Thoibi)
Kabo Loi (ꯀꯕꯣ ꯂꯣꯏ), also known as Thoibi Loi Thaba (ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯂꯣꯏ ꯊꯥꯕ), or Loi Kumba (ꯂꯣꯏ ꯀꯨꯝꯕ), is an event from the Khamba Thoibi classical epic in Moirang Kangleirol genre of Meitei mythology and folklore. It tells the story of Princess Thoibi’s exile to Kabo (Kabaw), a historical tributary region of the then Moirang kingdom, in what is now western Myanmar. This event follows the conflicts in the Ukai Kappa, Heijing, and Samukhong events.[1][2][3][4]
Exile decision and order
Princess Thoibi refused her father, Crown Prince Chingkhu Akhuba’s, demand to marry Angom Nongban Kongyamba. Angered by her refusal, the prince said, “I would rather be childless than be the father of this evil girl.” He ordered his minister, Hanjaba, to sell Thoibi to the Kabaw chief for silver and gold and exiled her to the Kabaw region.[1][2][3][4]
Thoibi informed Khamba of her misfortune and pleaded with him not to forget her. On the day of her exile, she wept bitterly. Her cries were so loud they were compared to thunder. The queen and all her maids also wept. Minister Hanjaba escorted her to Kabaw. Along the way, Thoibi met Khamba, and both mourned the pain of their separation. Khamba gave her a staff to lean on during her journey.[1][2][3][4]
Token of chastity
While traveling, Thoibi planted the staff by the roadside, wishing it to blossom into a leafy tree if she remained faithful to Khamba. She also carved a mark on a roadside stone as a record of her chastity.[1][2][3][4]
Life in Kabaw
Upon arrival in Kabaw, Chief Tamurakpa took pity on Thoibi and kept her as a guest in his house. She befriended Changning Kanbi, the chief's daughter. However, jealous women in Kabaw persuaded Changning to treat Thoibi as a servant, sending her to catch fish and gather firewood. Despite these hardships, Thoibi constantly dreamt of Khamba.[1][2][3][4]
God Thangjing, the national deity of Moirang, took pity on her. When Chief Tamurakpa learned of the harsh treatment from his own daughter, he asked all the women to weave a cloth each. Changning called Thoibi a wayward child because she refused to marry Kongyamba, whom Changning considered a worthy match. Angered by his daughter's words, Tamurakpa intended to punish her, but Thoibi stopped him.[1][2][3][4]
Thoibi and Changning wove their respective cloths. Changning, jealous, tore holes in Thoibi's cloth at night using a porcupine quill. Thoibi intelligently mended the cloth, making it more beautiful. Tamurakpa admired Thoibi's cloth and discarded his own daughter's work.[1][2][3][4]
Signs of home and return
While working at the loom, Thoibi noticed ashes carried by the wind, reminding her of Moirang. She wept for Khamba and her homeland. God Thangjing softened the hearts of those in power and sent men to bring her back. Meanwhile, Kongyamba was secretly instructed by crown prince to forcibly elope her during the return journey.[1][2][3][4]
Before leaving, Thoibi prayed to the patron deity of Kabaw, thanked Chief Tamurakpa for his hospitality, and paid respect to the stone marking her chastity. She also saw the staff planted earlier, which had blossomed into a leafy tree.[1][2][3][4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Gouramani, Kabrambam (1963-02-25). Khamba Thoibi Ahanba Saruk (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal; North Eastern States Libraries. India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Singh, Loitongbam Kalachand (1963). Khamba Thoibi (in Hindi and Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Pramodini (1992). Khuman Khamba (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal; North Eastern States Libraries. India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bormani, Sarangthem (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal; North Eastern States Libraries. India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.