Samaton

Samaton
Samaton
Divine ancestor of Meitei horse (Manipuri pony)
Other names	Samadon Ayangba, Shamadon Ayangba, Samaton Ayangpa, Shamaton Ayangpa
Affiliation	Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Major cult centre	Heingang hills
Abode	Heingang hill
Gender	Male
Region	Manipur
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Personal information
Spouse	Ngangrubi
Equivalents
Greek equivalent	Pegasus

Samaton (/saa-ma-ton/) or Samadon (/saa-ma-don/) is a mythical winged divine horse in Meitei mythology. He is one of the most recognised creatures in Meitei folklore.[1][2] Legend says that Samaton is the ancestor of the present day Manipuri pony (Meitei horse).[2] The Leithak Leikharol describes Samaton as a primordial horse associated with Meitei cosmology.[1] It is created by Sanamahi to attack on Pakhangba.[1] Later, it became the mounting creature of God Marjing.[2] It is also called "Shamadon Ayangba" (Meitei: ꯁꯃꯗꯣꯟ ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯕ) or "Shamaton Ayangpa" (Old Manipuri: ꯁꯃꯇꯣꯟ ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯄ) due to free variation of words in Meitei language (Manipuri language).

Samaton is praised in the ritual song of Ougri sung during the Lai Haraoba festival. Samaton is considered very important to Meitei culture because it is created from the body of God Sanamahi. During the deification of Meitei kings, Samaton became associated with kings as it was a divine being. So, Samaton became the insignia of royalty.[1]

In popular culture

Hada Samadon Ayangba is a folk song sung by Mangka Mayanglambam.[3] The song was sung in the Manipur Polo International 2014.[3] It was also sung at the Sangai festival in the same year.[3]

In heraldry

References

Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.
Chandra, Yashaswini (2021-01-22). The Tale of the Horse: A History of India on Horseback. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 978-93-89109-92-4.
"The making of Hada Samaton Ayangba By M Ranjit". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2021-02-07.

Other websites

Roy, L. Somi (2021-06-21). And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-91149-65-9.

Meitei mythology & folklore

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[:0-1] Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.

[:1-2] Chandra, Yashaswini (2021-01-22). The Tale of the Horse: A History of India on Horseback. Pan Macmillan. ISBN 978-93-89109-92-4.

[:2-3] "The making of Hada Samaton Ayangba By M Ranjit". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2021-02-07.