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{{See also|List of creatures in Meitei folklore | {{Short description|Demoness in Meitei folklore}} | ||
{{Infobox mythical creature|name=Lai Khutshangbi|image=Lai Khutsangbi.jpg|image upright= | {{See also|List of creatures in Meitei folklore}} | ||
'''Lai Khutshangbi''' | {{Infobox mythical creature | ||
The legend says that when she walks, her long hands touch the ground. Her fingers are as sharp as thorns. She has a large mouth with a long tongue. Her | |name=Lai Khutshangbi | ||
|image=Lai Khutsangbi.jpg | |||
|image upright=1.0 | |||
|caption=Lai Khutshangbi, the long handed demoness. | |||
|Grouping=[[Mythology]] | |||
|Sub_Grouping=[[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]]) | |||
|Similar_entities=[[Yenakha Paodabi]], [[Keibu Keioiba]] | |||
|Family=[[Hingchabi]] (demoness) | |||
|Folklore=[[Meitei folklore]] ([[Manipuri folklore]]) | |||
|AKA=Lai Khutsangbi | |||
|Country = | |||
* {{flagicon image|Flag of Manipur (stripes variant).svg}} [[Ancient Kangleipak|Ancient Manipur]] (historical) | |||
* {{IND}} (present) | |||
|Region=[[Manipur]]}} | |||
{{Meitei mythology}} | |||
'''Lai Khutshangbi''' (/laai-khoot-shaang-bee/) is a demoness ([[hingchabi]]) in [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]] of Antique Kangleipak ([[Ancient Kangleipak|Ancient Manipur]]). She has very long hands. The word "Lai" means "deity or divinity," "Khut" means "hand," and "Sangbi" or "Shangbi" means "long" in [[Manipuri language|Manipuri]] ([[Meitei language|Meitei]]).<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TpM8DAAAQBAJ&dq=Khut+hand+Sangbi+long+manipuri&pg=PT53|title=New Folktales of Manipur|last=Oinam|first=James|date=2016-05-26|publisher=Notion Press|isbn=978-1-945400-70-4|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F29jAAAAMAAJ&q=lai+khutshangbi+demoness+long+hands|title=Indian Literature|date=1981|publisher=Sahitya Akademi.|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q5eBAAAAMAAJ&q=lai+khutsangbi+fairy+long+hands|title=Folk Culture of Manipur|last=Singh|first=Moirangthem Kirti|date=1993|publisher=Manas Publications|isbn=978-81-7049-063-0|language=en}}</ref> | |||
The legend says that when she walks, her long hands touch the ground. Her fingers are as sharp as thorns. She has a large mouth with a long tongue. Her appearance is very frightening.<ref name="Folktales of Manipur">{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/dli.language.1358/page/n96/mode/1up|title=Folktales of Manipur|last1=B. Jayantakumar Sharma|last2=Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh|date=2014|pages=96}}</ref> | |||
== | == Story == | ||
There was a man and woman with a little child named Shasi (or "Shachi" or "Leirik" or "Naocha" in other versions) living in an isolated house in a hamlet. Nearby was the forest where Lai Khutsangbi lived.<ref name="Folktales of Manipur"/> She usually stole and ate livestock and human babies from the village. She took advantage of people's loneliness, sowing terror in the people in the village. | |||
Lai Khutsangbi wanted to eat the child Shasi. But Shasi's father, Shasipa was so brave that the Lai Khutsangbi was afraid of him. One day, Shasipa left home to work somewhere far away. He would be gone for days. Lai Khutsangbi came to the house at night | Lai Khutsangbi especially wanted to eat the child Shasi. But Shasi's father, Shasipa was so brave that the Lai Khutsangbi was afraid of him. One day, Shasipa left home to work somewhere far away. He would be gone for days. Lai Khutsangbi came to the house at night and asked Shasi's mother, Shasima if her husband was at home or not. Shasima was wise, so she lied and said her husband was at home. Lai Khutsangbi left. But she came back night after night and asked the same question again and again. Shasi's mother also gave the same reply, hiding the true fact that Shasipa was away. After some time, Shasi's father returned home and Shasi's mother told him what had happened. Hearing this, Shasi's father devised a plan to defeat the demoness. That night, he waited for Lai Khutsangbi with a sharpened sword. At midnight, the demoness, as usual, came to ask Shasima if her husband was home.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1358/page/n97/mode/1up|title=Folktales of Manipur|last1=B. Jayantakumar Sharma|last2=Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh|date=2014|pages=97}}</ref> This time, Shasi's mother replied that he was away from home. Unaware of the trick, Lai Khutsangbi broke through the wall of the house with one of her powerful hands, trying to find Shasi, the child. Shasi's father, who was waiting for this opportunity, chopped off the hand with his sword.<ref name="archive.org">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1358/page/n98/mode/1up|title=Folktales of Manipur|last1=B. Jayantakumar Sharma|last2=Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh|date=2014|pages=98}}</ref> | ||
Then, the demoness screamed painfully, | Then, the demoness screamed painfully, | ||
<blockquote><poem> | <blockquote><poem> | ||
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Leimadeng deng Ningjaobi | Leimadeng deng Ningjaobi | ||
You a big liar | You a big liar | ||
Ayo yo Ema ayoyo<ref name="archive.org"/><ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite book|url= | Ayo yo Ema ayoyo<ref name="archive.org"/><ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1358/page/n99/mode/1up|title=Folktales of Manipur|last1=B. Jayantakumar Sharma|last2=Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh|date=2014|pages=99}}</ref> | ||
</poem></blockquote> | </poem></blockquote> | ||
Lai Khutsangbi | Lai Khutsangbi fled from the house, dragging her remaining long arm. The blood flew out of her cut arm and fell onto many plants growing on her way to the forest. It is said that the red patches seen on some plants is her blood. Shasi's father followed her blood trail into the woods. The demoness could not run fast as fast as she usually could because she was injured. Shasi's father caught her and stepped on her other remaining hand. Then, he chopped off that arm too. | ||
The villagers thanked Shasipa for his bravery. From that day onwards, Lai Khutsangbi, the long handed demoness, was never seen again.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> | The villagers thanked Shasipa for his bravery. From that day onwards, Lai Khutsangbi, the long handed demoness, was never seen again.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> | ||
== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi 2.jpg | File:Lai Khutsangbi 2.jpg|Lai Khutsangbi | ||
File:The family of Shasi, the child who is desired by Lai Khutsangbi.jpg | File:The family of Shasi, the child who is desired by Lai Khutsangbi.jpg|The family of Shasi, the child who is desired by Lai Khutsangbi | ||
File:The family of Shasi, the child who is desired by Lai Khutsangbi 2.jpg | File:The family of Shasi, the child who is desired by Lai Khutsangbi 2.jpg|The family of Shasi, the child who is desired by Lai Khutsangbi | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi coming to human settlement.jpg | File:Lai Khutsangbi aiming to the lonely house.jpg|Lai Khutsangbi aiming to the lonely house | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi coming to the village.jpg | File:Lai Khutsangbi coming to human settlement.jpg|Lai Khutsangbi coming to human settlement | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi penetrating the wall of the house with her powerful hand.jpg | File:Lai Khutsangbi coming to the village.jpg|Lai Khutsangbi coming to the village | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi's hand about to chopped off by Shasipa, Shasi's father.jpg | File:Lai Khutsangbi penetrating the wall of the house with her powerful hand.jpg|Lai Khutsangbi penetrating the wall of the house with her powerful hand | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi - The first hand being chopped off.jpg | File:Lai Khutsangbi's hand about to chopped off by Shasipa, Shasi's father.jpg|Lai Khutsangbi's hand about to chopped off by Shasipa, Shasi's father | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi being followed by Shasi's father.jpg | File:Lai Khutsangbi - The first hand being chopped off.jpg|The first hand being chopped off | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi - The second hand being chopped off.jpg | File:Lai Khutsangbi being followed by Shasi's father.jpg|Lai Khutsangbi being followed by Shasi's father | ||
File:Lai Khutsangbi - The second hand being chopped off.jpg|The second hand being chopped off | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
== | == Other websites == | ||
* [https://books.google. | {{Commonscat|Lai Khutsangbi}} | ||
* [ | * [https://books.google.com/books?id=TpM8DAAAQBAJ&dq=khut+hand+sangbi+long+manipuri&pg=PT53 The Secret of Lai Khutsangbi] | ||
* [https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=features.Spotlight_On_Women.Lai_Khutsangbi_female_power_and_punishment_By_Rubani_Yumkhaibam Lai Khutsangbi, female power and punishment] | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Meitei culture]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Folklore]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Fictional monsters]] | ||
[[Category:Fictional female demons]] | |||
Latest revision as of 23:18, 28 September 2025
 Lai Khutshangbi, the long handed demoness. | |
| Grouping | Mythology |
|---|---|
| Sub grouping | Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) |
| Similar entities | Yenakha Paodabi, Keibu Keioiba |
| Family | Hingchabi (demoness) |
| Folklore | Meitei folklore (Manipuri folklore) |
| Other name(s) | Lai Khutsangbi |
| Country |
|
| Region | Manipur |
| Part of a series on |
| Meitei mythology |
|---|
 |
Lai Khutshangbi (/laai-khoot-shaang-bee/) is a demoness (hingchabi) in Meitei mythology and folklore of Antique Kangleipak (Ancient Manipur). She has very long hands. The word "Lai" means "deity or divinity," "Khut" means "hand," and "Sangbi" or "Shangbi" means "long" in Manipuri (Meitei).[1][2][3] The legend says that when she walks, her long hands touch the ground. Her fingers are as sharp as thorns. She has a large mouth with a long tongue. Her appearance is very frightening.[4]
Story[edit | edit source]
There was a man and woman with a little child named Shasi (or "Shachi" or "Leirik" or "Naocha" in other versions) living in an isolated house in a hamlet. Nearby was the forest where Lai Khutsangbi lived.[4] She usually stole and ate livestock and human babies from the village. She took advantage of people's loneliness, sowing terror in the people in the village.
Lai Khutsangbi especially wanted to eat the child Shasi. But Shasi's father, Shasipa was so brave that the Lai Khutsangbi was afraid of him. One day, Shasipa left home to work somewhere far away. He would be gone for days. Lai Khutsangbi came to the house at night and asked Shasi's mother, Shasima if her husband was at home or not. Shasima was wise, so she lied and said her husband was at home. Lai Khutsangbi left. But she came back night after night and asked the same question again and again. Shasi's mother also gave the same reply, hiding the true fact that Shasipa was away. After some time, Shasi's father returned home and Shasi's mother told him what had happened. Hearing this, Shasi's father devised a plan to defeat the demoness. That night, he waited for Lai Khutsangbi with a sharpened sword. At midnight, the demoness, as usual, came to ask Shasima if her husband was home.[5] This time, Shasi's mother replied that he was away from home. Unaware of the trick, Lai Khutsangbi broke through the wall of the house with one of her powerful hands, trying to find Shasi, the child. Shasi's father, who was waiting for this opportunity, chopped off the hand with his sword.[6] Then, the demoness screamed painfully,
Lai Khutsangbi fled from the house, dragging her remaining long arm. The blood flew out of her cut arm and fell onto many plants growing on her way to the forest. It is said that the red patches seen on some plants is her blood. Shasi's father followed her blood trail into the woods. The demoness could not run fast as fast as she usually could because she was injured. Shasi's father caught her and stepped on her other remaining hand. Then, he chopped off that arm too. The villagers thanked Shasipa for his bravery. From that day onwards, Lai Khutsangbi, the long handed demoness, was never seen again.[7]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
-
Lai Khutsangbi -
The family of Shasi, the child who is desired by Lai Khutsangbi -
The family of Shasi, the child who is desired by Lai Khutsangbi -
Lai Khutsangbi aiming to the lonely house -
Lai Khutsangbi coming to human settlement -
Lai Khutsangbi coming to the village -
Lai Khutsangbi penetrating the wall of the house with her powerful hand -
Lai Khutsangbi's hand about to chopped off by Shasipa, Shasi's father -
The first hand being chopped off -
Lai Khutsangbi being followed by Shasi's father -
The second hand being chopped off
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Oinam, James (2016-05-26). New Folktales of Manipur. Notion Press. ISBN 978-1-945400-70-4.
- ↑ Indian Literature. Sahitya Akademi. 1981.
- ↑ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 B. Jayantakumar Sharma; Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh (2014). Folktales of Manipur. p. 96.
- ↑ B. Jayantakumar Sharma; Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh (2014). Folktales of Manipur. p. 97.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 B. Jayantakumar Sharma; Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh (2014). Folktales of Manipur. p. 98.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 B. Jayantakumar Sharma; Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh (2014). Folktales of Manipur. p. 99.