Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu

The ancient legend of Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu (Meitei: Khongjomba-Pidongnu) is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang kingdom[lower-alpha 1] of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). It concerns the love and the adventures of Ura Naha Khongjomba (Old Manipuri: Khongchompa), a forgotten prince, for the beautiful Pidonnu (Old Manipuri: Pitonnu).[1][2] Khongjomba (1210-1263 AD) was the biological son of King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba (1138-1210 AD) of Moirang and Lady Tonu Laijinglembi, but he was born in the house of his foster father Kadeng Thangjahanba, the second husband of Tonu Laijinglembi. Pidonnu (also spelled as "Pidonu" or "Pidongnu") was the daughter of a nobleman of Moirang.[3][4]

The story of Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu
(Meitei: Khongjomba-Pidongnu)
Meitei and Latin transliterations of "Khongjomba" and "Pidongnu"
Folk tale
NameThe story of Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu
(Meitei: Khongjomba-Pidongnu)
Also known as
  • Khongjomba and Pidonu
  • Khongjomba and Pidonnu
  • Khongjomba and Pidongnu
  • Khongchompa and Pitonu
  • Khongchompa and Pitonnu
  • Khongchompa and Pitongnu
Aarne–Thompson groupingno
MythologyMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology)
Country Ancient Kangleipak (historical)
 India (present)
RegionMoirang, Manipur
Origin DateDuring the reign of Moilang king Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (1138-1210 AD)
RelatedMeitei folklore (Manipuri folklore),
Meitei literature (Manipuri literature)
Part of a series on
Meitei mythology
A tableau depicting Meitei divine mythical beings, like Hiyang Hiren and Pakhangba.
Deities
Heroes and heroines
Mythical creatures
Related
 Myths portal

History

Ura Naha Khongjomba (Regnal name: Iwang Puriklai Khongjomba) (1210-1263 AD) was the King ("Iwang Puriklai") of Moirang, and the son of King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba (1138-1210 AD) and Lady Tonu Laijinglembi. Pidonnu (also spelled as Pidongnu) was the queen of King Khongjomba.[5][6][7][8][9]

Plot

Kadeng Thangjahanba died on the prime time of his life, leaving his wife Tonu Laijinglembi and her son named Ura Naha Khongjomba (conceived during her stay with King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba). King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba could not produce any further sons. Unfortunately, the king was not fully aware that his son was born in the house of Kadeng Thangjahanba. Lacking an heir, he consulted his courtiers court and chose a young man named Nidrām, on the strength of his princely moral standards, to be his successor.[10][11][12]

Tonu Laijinglembi was afraid that her Khongjomba would come to harm if his true identity were revealed. So, she took her young son and fled to the hills, seeking asylum in the house of her husband's friend, the chief of Leihou tribe. She lived there till her son grew to manhood, and then they both returned to the house of late Thangjahanba. During that time, as planned by God Thangching, the people of Moirang had forgotten about the family of the late Kadeng Thangjahanba, and refused to help Tonu Laijinglembi and her son. They lived in poverty, Khongjomba collecting firewood daily and Tonu Laijinglembi selling in the market.[13][14][15]

One day, Khongjomba happened to meet Lady Pidonnu, during a game of kang (a traditional Meitei game), played between ladies and gentlemen. Nidrām, the Royal heir, was immediately jealous. So, he sent his men to attack Khongjomba. However, Nidrām's men were overcame by the powerful Khongjomba. Nidrām looked for other ways to harass Khongjomba. One day, Khongjomba was wandering around the Loktak Lake on the day the ladies of Moirang were to take part in a large fishing event. It was the custom of that time that men were not allowed near the lake on this special day. As Khongjomba broke the rules, he was caught beaten by Nidrām and his men. Tonu Laijinglembi ran to King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba to save her son's life. The king remembered that Tonu Laijinglembi was pregnant with his child when she left him. Tonu then revealed the true parentage of her son Khongjomba. King Laijing Ningthou Punsiba surprised and alarmed. Without delay, he crowned his true son Khongjomba as the sovereign of Moirang, discarding the appointed heir, Nidrām. Later, the two lovers King Ura Naha Khongjomba and Lady Pidonu got married and lived happily ever after.[16][17][18]

See also

Further reading
  • Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. India: Sahitya Akademi. p. 1303. ISBN 978-81-260-1194-0.
  • Gill, Preeti (13 February 2014). The Peripheral Centre: Voices from India's Northeast. Zubaan. ISBN 978-93-83074-65-5.
  • Sinha, Biswajit (2008). Contemporary Theatre: East & North-East. Raj Publications. ISBN 978-81-86208-59-5.

Notes
  1. Moirang was an independent kingdom in early times, though later became a province of a unified kingdom, called Manipur Kingdom.

References
  1. Oinam, Bhagat; Sadokpam, Dhiren A. (11 May 2018). Northeast India: A Reader. Taylor & Francis. p. 236. ISBN 978-0-429-95320-0. Apart from several other works based on the theme of love, mention may be made of the literature coming from the Moirang region of Manipur. A civilization situated on the magnificent Loktak Lake, the culture of the Moirang clan has been noted. Numerous manuscripts of the Moirang region dwell on the theme of love. One of the most popular stories refers to the seven pairs of lovers who are regarded as incarnations of the same souls in different generations or ages. The seven cycles are Akongjamba (hero) and Phouoibi (heroine); Henjunaha (hero) and Leima Lairuklembi (heroine); Khuyol Haoba (hero) and Yaithing Konu (heroine); Kadeng Thangjahanba (hero) and Tonu Laijinglembi (heroine); Ura Naha Khongjomba (hero) and Pidonnu (heroine)...{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  2. Lisam, Khomdan Singh (2011). Encyclopaedia Of Manipur (3 Vol.). India. p. 588. ISBN 978-81-7835-864-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. Bormani, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; Digital Library of India. pp. 590–632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Original from:the University of Michigan. India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 67, 68. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  5. "Moirang Ningthourol Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 6". e-pao.net. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  6. "Event and Achievement Part 3 Moirang and Ebuthou Thangjing Part 12". e-pao.net. Retrieved 22 October 2022. PURIKLAI LAIJING PUNSIBA (1138-1210) He was the 33rd King of Moirang and during his long period of 70 years rule, two remarkable love stories of Salwon and Langwon of Moirang Kangleirol series, were witnessed one was the 8th and tragedy story of 'Kadeng Thangja Hanba and Tonu Laijinglembi'- and the other was the 9th in the series, Khongjomba-Pidongnu - of Moirang Sheisaklon series.
  7. "manipur channel >>Moirang Kangleirol ~ E-Pao! News About Manipur". e-pao.net. Retrieved 22 October 2022. Iwang Puriklai Laijing Punsiba (AD 1138-1210) Kadeng Thangja Hanba - Tonu Laijinglembi; Khongjomba - Pidongnu
  8. Bormani, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; Digital Library of India. pp. 590–632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  9. Boamani Singh, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (1994). Tonu Laijinglembi (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani Singh; Digital Library of India.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  10. Bormani, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; Digital Library of India. pp. 590–632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  11. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Original from:the University of Michigan. India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 67, 68. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  12. Boamani Singh, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (1994). Tonu Laijinglembi (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani Singh; Digital Library of India.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  13. Bormani, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; Digital Library of India. pp. 590–632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  14. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Original from:the University of Michigan. India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 67, 68. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  15. Boamani Singh, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (1994). Tonu Laijinglembi (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani Singh; Digital Library of India.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  16. Bormani, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (2003). Moirang Shaion (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani, Chinga Makha Chanam Pukhri Mapal; Digital Library of India. pp. 590–632.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  17. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Original from:the University of Michigan. India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 67, 68. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  18. Boamani Singh, Sarangthem; et al. (Internet Archive) (1994). Tonu Laijinglembi (in Manipuri). Manipur University Library, Imphal. India: Sarangthem Bormani Singh; Digital Library of India.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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