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{{Infobox royalty
| name = Yoimongba
| title = Meitei Prince
| image = Kakyen Mingamba - Tyrannical monstrous gigantic colossal cannibalistic bird - swallowing Meitei Elder Prince Yoimongba in front of Younger Prince Taothingmang - Classical Meitei mythology & folklore of ancient Kangleipak civilisation.jpg
| caption = Yoimongba being swallowed by the mythical bird, Kakyen, while Taothingmang is trying to shoot the bird.
| birth_place = [[Kangleipak]]
| death_place = [[Kangleipak]]
| full name = Ngangoi Yoimongba
| era name = [[Ancient Kangleipak]]
| era dates = 3rd century C.E
| house = [[Ningthouja dynasty]]
| father = [[Khuyoi Tompok]]
| occupation = Prince of Kangleipak
| religion = [[Sanamahism]]
}}
'''Yoimongba''' was a [[Meitei people|Meitei]] prince of the [[Ningthouja dynasty]] of [[Kangleipak]] (early [[Manipur]]). He is mentioned in the [[Toreirol Lambuba]] and the [[Tutenglon]], where he is seen with his younger brother [[Taothingmang]]. These classic writings narrate the experiences and journeys of the two siblings, detailing their travels, challenges, and the beginnings of naming of various places in Manipur.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100">Singh, Ch. Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100</ref>

In 266 CE, he appointed several clan rulers of [[Luwang]], [[Khuman]], [[Angom]], and [[Moilang|Moirang]].{{Sfnp|Moyon, The Lost Kingdom of Moyon|2023|p=163, 313}}

== Family ==
Ngangoi Yoimongba was the eldest son of King [[Khuyoi Tompok]] of the [[Ningthouja dynasty]], and the elder brother of [[Taothingmang]] and Lairoklembi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Linthoi Chanu The Tales of Kanglei Throne Part 2 By L Memo |url=https://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.books.Linthoi_Chanu_The_Tales_of_Kanglei_Throne_Part_2_By_L_Memo |access-date=2025-11-09 |website=www.e-pao.net}}</ref> The mother of the three children was Queen Nongmainu Ahongbee.{{Sfnp|Tensuba, Genesis of Indian Tribes|1993|p=141}}

Taothingmang succeeded his father,{{Efn|There was no system of primogeniture in ancient Kangleipak.}} whereas Lairoklembi was married to the Chief of [[Mount Koubru|Koubru]].{{Sfnp|Ajit Meetei|2018|p=9}}

== Early deeds ==
Ngangoi Yoimongba secretly went out at night to find the nest of a massive bird called [[Kakyen]]. However, the bird quickly bore him off as if he were a small chicken. His younger brother, [[Taothingmang]], expert at net throwing, was close by and chased the bird.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" />

== River-clearing mission ==
In the story, Yoimongba entrusted the Iril River to [[Taothingmang]], as it was easier to manage. The Iril had cleaner banks, fewer long grasses, and no large pieces of wood. Yoimongba himself took charge of the more difficult Imphal River.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" />{{Sfnp|Tensuba, Genesis of Indian Tribes|1993|p=143}}

To maintain happiness while dredging the river, Yoimongba carried various chirping birds. Their happy noises motivated him to work quicker, and he quickly surpassed his younger brother. He subsequently arrived in [[Lilong (Thoubal)|Lilong]] and encountered Phunal Telheiba, who informed him that he is not allowed to dig a river on his land.<ref>Parratt, Saroj Nalini. The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: The Cheitharon Kumpapa, 2005. p. 25</ref><ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" />{{Sfnp|Ajit Meetei|2018|p=9}}

Later, Yoimongba and Taothingmang met again at a place now called Iril Lilong. From there, they continued to work together.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" />{{Sfnp|Tensuba, Genesis of Indian Tribes|1993|p=143}} The place where the Iril River and Imphal River met is called Iril Lilong.{{Sfnp|Ajit Meetei|2018|p=11}}

== Defeating the enormous bird ==
{{Main|Kakyen}}
While journeying south, they came upon a remote village that had roughly one hundred families living there. A senior woman from the locality told them that a large bird had been attacking the villagers. The being thrived on human carcasses and lived in a nearby cavity. Consequently, nobody left their homes. She warned that the princes could be consumed just like baby chicks in its hold.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" />

The two siblings first tried to build a large nest to catch the bird. Nonetheless, the woman told them that this method would not work. They had to pray to [[Leimarel Sidabi]], the caring goddess, and ask for her sword and arrow.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" />

These sacred weapons were overly powerful for ordinary people. In truth, they were so powerful that they split the boat carrying them apart. Under the goddess's direction, [[Taothingmang]] partook in intense religious practices and fasted for a month. Eventually, they were finally allowed to use the weapons.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" />

== Battle with the bird ==
The brothers then traveled further south to find the bird’s hiding place. As they moved, the giant bird suddenly attacked and carried away Yoimongba.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" />

In response, Taothingmang shot the bird with the divine arrow. The bird, wounded and with its wings broken, spun down to the ground. Then, Taothingmang killed it completely with the sword.<ref name=":Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100" /> In the end, the settlement of the [[Lokkha-Haokha (ancient tribe)|Lokkha-Haokhas]] were subdued into the [[Meitei dynasty|Meitei polity]].{{Sfnp|Moyon, The Lost Kingdom of Moyon|2023|p=286}}{{Sfnp|Tensuba, Genesis of Indian Tribes|1993|p=205}}

== Notes ==
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== References ==
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== Bibliography ==

* {{Cite book |last=Moyon |first=Rev Dr Koningthung Ngoru |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nn3jEAAAQBAJ |title=The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur): Iruwng (King) Kuurkam Ngoruw Moyon & The People of Manipur |date=2023-11-16 |publisher=Shashwat Publication |isbn=978-81-19517-31-2 |language=en |ref={{SfnRef|Moyon, The Lost Kingdom of Moyon|2023}}}}
* {{Cite journal |last=Ajit Meetei |first=Hidam |date=January 2018 |title=The Iril River Valley, Manipur: A Historical Perspective |url=https://www.nairjc.com/assets/img/issue/Px7rmv_P1UvDB_e1EIi5_kYPwp1_161214.pdf |department=Department of History, Manipur University |journal=North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science and Humanities |volume=4 |issue=1}}
* {{Cite book |last=Tensuba |first=Keerti Chand |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GmZuAAAAMAAJ |title=Genesis of Indian Tribes: An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais |date=1993 |publisher=Inter-India Publications |isbn=978-81-210-0308-7 |language=en |ref={{SfnRef|Tensuba, Genesis of Indian Tribes|1993}}}}

== External links ==

* {{Cite book |last=Roy |first=L. Somi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XxovEAAAQBAJ |title=And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold |date=2021-06-21 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-91149-65-9 |language=en}}

[[Category:Ningthouja dynasty]]
[[Category:Meitei folklore]]

Yoimongba - Revision history

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