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{{About|an event from the [[Khamba Thoibi]] classical epic|other uses|Kangjei (disambiguation){{!}}Kangjei}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}

[[File:KHUMAN KHAMBA WRESTLING WITH HIS OPPONENT.jpg|thumb|[[Khuman Khamba]] and [[Angom Nongban Kongyamba]] wrestling]]
[[File:POOR ORPHAN KHUMAN KHAMBA.jpg|thumb|[[Khuman Khamba]] with a [[hockey]] stick]]

'''Kangjei''' ({{Script|Mtei|ꯀꯥꯡꯖꯩ}}) is an event from the [[Khamba Thoibi]] classical epic in [[Moirang Kangleirol]] genre of [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]]. The event focuses on traditional wrestling ([[Mukna Kangjei]]) and hockey ([[Khong Kangjei]]) contests and marks [[Khuman Khamba]]’s first public recognition in the [[Moirang kingdom]].<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature">{{Cite book|title=Khamba Thoibi Ahanba Saruk|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.467162|date=1963-02-25|first=Kabrambam|last=Gouramani|publisher=Digital Library of India; Internet Archive|location=India|language=mni|others=Manipur University Library, Imphal; North Eastern States Libraries}}</ref><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature">{{Cite book|title=Khamba Thoibi|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.464230|first=Loitongbam Kalachand|last=Singh|publisher=Digital Library of India; Internet Archive|year=1963|location=India|language=hi, mni|others=Manipur University Library, Imphal}}</ref><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature">{{Cite book|title=Khuman Khamba|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.466825|last=Pramodini|publisher=Digital Library of India; Internet Archive|year=1992|location=India|language=mni|others=Manipur University Library, Imphal; North Eastern States Libraries}}</ref><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature">{{Cite book|title=Moirang Shaion|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465120|first=Sarangthem|last=Bormani|publisher=Digital Library of India; Internet Archive|year=2003|location=India|language=mni|others=Manipur University Library, Imphal; North Eastern States Libraries}}</ref>

== Entry into the wrestling club ==

Khamba went among the men of the kingdom and joined the wrestling club. An elderly man noticed Khamba's great strength and asked him to wrestle. At that time, [[Angom Nongban Kongyamba]] was the national wrestling champion of the Moirang kingdom. He invited Khamba to wrestle with him.<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

To everyone's surprise, Kongyamba was defeated by Khamba.<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

== Question of identity ==

After the match, Minister Chaoba Nongthonba asked Khamba his name. Khamba at first refused to reveal his true identity. He had been warned by his elder sister, [[Khamnu]], not to disclose his background. He also avoided naming his father.<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

Nongthonba became angry at Khamba's refusal. Khamba then explained that his father had died when he was an infant and that his sister had raised him. Nongthonba carefully observed Khamba and realized that his appearance closely resembled that of [[Puremba]], his close friend.<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

== Revelation and acceptance ==

Nongthonba felt regret for speaking harshly and asked Khamba again about his identity. With [[Khamnu]]’s permission, Khamba revealed the truth. Nongthonba expressed sorrow over the loss of Khamba's father and spoke of how people often forget their own kin.<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

Nongthonba developed deep affection for Khamba. He informed his wives about the young man and asked them to prepare fine clothes and good food for Khamba and Khamnu. He also remembered the earlier marriage engagement between his son, Feiroijamba, and Khamnu.
Nongthonba and his family went to Khamnu's house. At first, Khamnu hid herself in the women's chamber and wept. After hearing their lament, she came out and accepted the gifts they brought.<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

== Introduction to the royal family ==

Nongthonba later took Khamba to the marketplace, where Crown Prince Chingkhu Akhuba, the king's brother, was present. Nongthonba introduced Khamba to him. Khamba was then presented to King Chingkhu Telheiba.<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

The king treated Khamba kindly and offered him the duty of collecting flowers for God [[Thangjing]].<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

== Royal recognition ==

Khamba told Khamnu everything that had happened. The crown prince also showed kindness toward Khamba and spoke publicly about Khamba and his late father. He reminded the people of late [[Puremba]]’s high official position, noble birth, and service to the kingdom. Princess Thoibi asked her father to honor Khamba by building him a house.<ref name=":Gouramani_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Loitongbam_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Pramodini_classical_literature" /><ref name=":Sarangthem_classical_literature" />

== See also ==
* [[Meitei traditional games]]
* [[Meitei martial arts]]
* [[Sagol Kangjei]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Meitei mythology]]
[[Category:Meitei folklore]]
[[Category:Keke Moirang]]
[[Category:Hockey]]
[[Category:Wrestling]]

Kangjei (Khamba Thoibi) - Revision history

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