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[[File:Tiger cartoon face.jpg|thumb]]
{{Short description|Half man, half tiger of Meitei folklore}}
{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox mythical creature
{{Infobox mythical creature
|name=Keibu Keioiba
|name             = <!-- Name of creature -->
|Grouping=[[Legendary creatures]]
|image            = File:A life-size figure of Keibu Keioiba (a mythical hybrid creature in Meitei folklore) in the MMRC & Unity Park (Menjor Multipurpose Research Centre and Unity Park), Khangabok, Thoubal district, Kangleipak.jpg
|Sub_Grouping=[[Mythological hybrids]]
|image_size      = 220
|Habitat=Forests
|image_upright    = <!-- Image size scale factor; do not use with image_size -->
|Country=[[India]] ([[Manipur]])
|caption          = A life-size statue of Keibu Keioiba in the [[Menjor Multipurpose Research Centre and Unity Park]], [[Khangabok]]
|Region=[[Manipur]]
|Grouping        = [[monster]]
|Similar_creatures= [[Uchek Langmeidong]], [[Pakhangba]], [[Poubi Lai]], [[Kangla Sha]]
|Sub_Grouping    = <!-- A broader generic category, if applicable -->
|Mythology=[[Meitei mythology]] ([[Manipuri mythology]]), [[Meitei folklore]] ([[Manipuri folklore]])
|Similar_entities = *The Beast of [[Beauty and the Beast]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hCzXAAAAMAAJ|title=A Knock at the Door |date=1992 |publisher=Oryx Press |isbn=978-0-89774-733-2 |page=116 |language=en |quote=... it may remind you of the European tale "Beauty and the Beast}}</ref>
* [[Ravana]], a demon in [[Hindu mythology]]<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Beck |first1=Brenda E. F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jmKu3t-sYi4C&dq=thabaton&pg=PA103 |title=Folktales of India |last2=Claus |first2=Peter J. |last3=Goswami |first3=Praphulladatta |last4=Handoo |first4=Jawaharlal |date=1999 |publisher=[[University of Chicago Press]] |isbn=978-0-226-04083-7 |page=103 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Yamata no Orochi]], a beast in [[Japanese mythology]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-16 |title=Heisnam Tomba's Play: Yamata Amasung Keibu Keioiba |url=https://stagebuzz.in/2020/02/16/heisnam-tombas-play-yamata-amasung-keibu-keioiba/ |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=StageBuzz |language=en-GB}}</ref>
|Family          =
|Folklore        = Meitei folk tale
|First_Attested  =
|AKA              = Kabui Salang Maiba
|Country          = India
|Region          = [[Manipur]]
|Habitat          = <!-- Specifically where the entity may be found -->
|Details          = <!-- Any additional details -->
 
}}
{{Infobox character
| name              = Keibu Keioiba
| series            = <!-- or |franchise=; use without the italic on the outside -->
| image            = The appearances of Keibu Keioiba and the old woman in the 2009 Meitei language animation film "Keibu Keioiba (Tiger Head)".jpeg
| alt              =
| caption          = Keibu Keioiba trying to devour the old woman.
| first_major      = [[Keibu Keioiba (film)|Keibu Keioiba]] <!-- per [[MOS:MAJORWORK]] - major works include TV series, films, books, albums and games -->
| first_minor      = <!-- or |first_issue=; Per [[MOS:MINORWORK]] - minor works include TV episodes, chapters, songs and game missions -->
| first_date        = 2009
| first            = <!-- Use instead of first_major= etc. when custom or complex formatting is needed. -->
| last_major        =
| last_minor        = <!-- or |last_issue= -->
| last_date        =
| last              = <!-- Use instead of last_major= etc. when custom or complex formatting is needed. -->
| creator          = Bhumenjoy Konsam <!-- only the credited creators; use adapted_by= for adaptations -->
| based_on          =
| adapted_by        = <!-- for character adaption articles -->
| designer          =
| portrayer        =
| voice            = Bishwamittra
| motion_actor      =
| full_name        =
| nickname          = <!-- or |nicknames= -->
| alias            = Kabui Salang Maiba <!-- or |aliases= -->
| species          = man with the head of a tiger<!-- or |race=; for non-humans only -->
| gender            =  <!-- if not obvious -->
| title            =
| occupation        = <!-- or |position= or |class= -->
| affiliation      = <!-- or |alignment= -->
| fighting_style    =
| weapon            =
| family            =
| spouse            = Thabaton <!-- or |spouses= -->
| significant_other = <!-- or |significant_others= -->
| children          =
| relatives        =
| religion          =
| origin            = Manipur <!-- or |home= -->
| nationality      = Indian
}}
}}
{{Meitei mythology}}
{{lang|mni|'''Keibu Keioiba'''}}, also known as {{lang|mni|'''Kabui Keioiba'''}}, is a mythical creature with the head of a [[tiger]] and the body of a [[human]] in the [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]] of [[Manipur]]. According to legend, he was once a skilful priest named Kabui Salang Maiba. He used [[witchcraft]] to turn himself into a ferocious tiger. As [[Divine retribution|punishment of his pride]], he could not completely turn back to his original human form.<ref name=ftne>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xfDNm96yCPIC|title=Folk Tales of the North-East|last=Regunathan|first=Sudhamahi|date=2005|publisher=Children's Book Trust|isbn=978-81-7011-967-8|language=en|access-date=2022-06-13}}</ref><ref name=kirti>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q5eBAAAAMAAJ|title=Folk Culture of Manipur|last=Singh|first=Moirangthem Kirti|date=1993|publisher=Manas Publications|isbn=978-81-7049-063-0|language=en|access-date=2022-06-13}}</ref><ref name=devy>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jsRcCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA134|title=Knowing Differently: The Challenge of the Indigenous|last1=Devy|first1=G. N.|last2=Davis|first2=Geoffrey V.|last3=Chakravarty|first3=K. K.|date=2015-08-12|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-32569-7|language=en|access-date=2022-06-13}}</ref><ref name=natak>{{Cite book|title=Sangeet Natak|date=1985|language=en|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ioyfAAAAMAAJ}}</ref><ref name=krasner>{{Cite book|title=Theatre in Theory 1900-2000: An Anthology|last=Krasner|first=David|date=2008|publisher=Wiley|isbn=978-1-4051-4043-0|language=en|access-date=2022-06-13|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=naQYAQAAIAAJ&q=kabui+keioiba+half+man+half+tiger}}</ref>


'''Keibu Keioiba''' ({{lang-mni|ꯀꯩꯕꯨ ꯀꯩꯑꯣꯏꯕ}}; {{lang-omp|ꯀꯩꯄꯨ ꯀꯩꯑꯣꯢꯄ}} or '''Kabui Keioiba''' ({{lang-mni|ꯀꯕꯨꯏ ꯀꯩꯑꯣꯏꯕ}}; {{lang-omp|ꯀꯄꯨꯢ ꯀꯩꯑꯣꯢꯄ}} is a mythical creature having a [[tiger]] head and the [[human]] body, often described as half man and half tiger in [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]] of [[Manipur]].<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=xfDNm96yCPIC&printsec=copyright&source=gbs_pub_info_r#v=snippet&q=Kabui%20Keioiba%20half%20man%20half%20tiger&f=false</ref><ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=q5eBAAAAMAAJ&q=kabui+keioiba+half+man+half+tiger&dq=kabui+keioiba+half+man+half+tiger&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjEv9HiqfTxAhU4umMGHfSXAmMQ6AEwBHoECAgQAw</ref><ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=jsRcCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA134&dq=kabui+keioiba+half+man+half+tiger&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjEv9HiqfTxAhU4umMGHfSXAmMQ6AEwBXoECAQQAw#v=onepage&q=kabui%20keioiba%20half%20man%20half%20tiger&f=false</ref><ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=ioyfAAAAMAAJ&q=kabui+keioiba+half+man+half+tiger&dq=kabui+keioiba+half+man+half+tiger&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjEv9HiqfTxAhU4umMGHfSXAmMQ6AEwCHoECAoQAw</ref><ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=naQYAQAAIAAJ&q=kabui+keioiba+half+man+half+tiger&dq=kabui+keioiba+half+man+half+tiger&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjFzt6tqvTxAhXP4zgGHWD0DvM4ChDoATAAegQIChAD</ref> Legend says he was once a skilful [[maiba]] named [[Kabui Salang Maiba]], who with his witchcraft, transfigured himself into the form of a ferocious tiger. As a punishment of his pride, he could not completely turn back to his original human form.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Folk_Tales.Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam |title=Keibu Keioiba – Fungawari Singbul |publisher=E-Pao|author=B. Jayantakumar Sharma }}</ref>
== Story ==
Keibu Keioiba was a human in the daytime and a tiger at night. During night, he prowled around looking for food. One night, he found an older woman's house and planned to devour her. The old woman said that her wrinkled skin would not be tasty and suggested that he eat a beautiful and young woman named [[Thabaton]] instead. Thabaton was the only sister in a family with seven brothers. The old woman told Keibu Keioiba that her brothers had gone for a work and that Thabaton was alone. The old woman helps Keibu Keioiba to trick Thabaton into opening the door to her house and succeeded in making Thabaton. Keibu Keioba kidnaps Thabaton.<ref name=chirom>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1358/page/n75/mode/2up|title=Folktales of Manipur|last1=B. Jayantakumar Sharma|last2=Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh|date=2014|pages=74–75}}</ref>


==Story==
Shortly after this, Thabaton's brothers return home from work<ref name=sanatombi>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.0065/page/n57/mode/2up|title=মণিপুরী ফুংগাৱারী|last=S Sanatombi|date=2014 |page=57-58|language=mni}}</ref> and discover that Thabaton is missing. They ask the old woman about their sister, and she tells them about Keibu Keioiba. The seven brothers prepare their weapons and set out in search of their sister. Keibu Keioiba has not eaten Thabaton. Instead, he has forced Thabaton to become his wife, and they live together in the forest. The brothers never stop searching for their sister. One day, they see Thabaton. When they get close to her, they see that she is with a man and has a baby with her. The brothers discreetly signal to Thabaton so that she knows they have arrived. When Keibu Keioiba goes away for a hunt, Thabaton meet her brothers and they plan her escape.{{r|chirom|pages=76}}
This is a story of a kind, dedicated and skilled ancient physician, who used to ride on a horse and visit places to heal those suffering ailments. As his knowledge and skill kept on increasing day by day, he kept on wanting to learn more and more. At a time, he was able to do whatever he wanted. He kept on conducting experiments until he decided to turn himself into a tiger one day, for he wanted the power of a tiger.<ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Kabui_Keioiba_and_Lai_Khutsangbi_Stories_of_Hunger_By_James_Oinam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba</ref>
He taught his wife how to help him turn into a tiger and how to return to his human form. But, as soon as he became the tiger-like creature Keibu Keioiba, he developed the tiger instinct of roaring and frightening people. So, his wife ran away from him before he could be subjected to return to his human form. Instead, he even tried to kill his wife and ran away in the wild far from home.<ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Kabui_Keioiba_and_Lai_Khutsangbi_Stories_of_Hunger_By_James_Oinam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba</ref>
When he got hungry, he would come to human villages to steal poultry or fish or livestock, as he never learned how to hunt like a real tiger in the wild. He became the feared and the hated. He began to target humans for food.<ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Kabui_Keioiba_and_Lai_Khutsangbi_Stories_of_Hunger_By_James_Oinam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba</ref>
He came to a village and took a young girl called Thabaton, who was home alone, left by her seven brothers for work. He was avenged by the brothers and the girl was saved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba |title=Taming 'Keibu Keioiba': Translation as Recovery |publisher=E-Pao|author=Sumitra Thoidingjam }}</ref><ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Kabui_Keioiba_and_Lai_Khutsangbi_Stories_of_Hunger_By_James_Oinam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba</ref>


==Moral==
When Keibu Keioiba returns, Thabaton gives him a hollow utong (bamboo pipe) open at both ends. She tells Keibu Keioiba to fetch water from the stream with the utong. In Keibu Keioiba's absence, the brothers burn down Keibu Keioiba's house, kill the baby, and run away with their sister.{{r|chirom|pages=77}} On the other hand, Keibu Keioiba could not collect water with the utong; when he tried, the water leaked. A crow, observing his activities from a treetop mocked his foolishness. Keibu Keioiba returns home to find his son dead, his wife missing, and his house burnt to the ground. His anger knew no bounds. He charges back to the home of Thabaton and her brothers, who have prepared their weapons. As soon as Keibu Keioiba approaches them, they attack. Finally, Keibu Keioiba dies at the hands of the Thabaton's seven brothers. Thabaton and her seven brothers live happily ever after.{{r|chirom|pages=78}}{{r|sanatombi|page=59}}
The story depicts the never-ending desire of man for getting more which ultimately ruins himself. It teaches a lesson to us about the evil effects of this human nature. We can witness many examples of this today- e.g., global warming because of the never-ending industrial race, world devastation by never ending arms race in world wars, etc.<ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Kabui_Keioiba_and_Lai_Khutsangbi_Stories_of_Hunger_By_James_Oinam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba</ref>


==Impact on society==
==Film==
Almost every [[Manipuri people]] grow up listening to this folktale from their elders. It is a common story told to kids over many generations.<ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Kabui_Keioiba_and_Lai_Khutsangbi_Stories_of_Hunger_By_James_Oinam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales</ref><ref>http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba</ref>
In the 2009 [[Meitei language]] animated film, [[Keibu Keioiba (film)|Keibu Keioiba]], the character of Keibu-Kei-Oiba was uniquely designed to a humanoid tiger, which had to speak dialogues in human voices. The facial structure of the character was twisted out of the normal shape of a real tiger to a little bit extend. It was done so as to bring adjustment to the human voice and the speaking actions during digitalisation<!-- INDIAN ENGLISH USES THE "S" FORM. CHECK YOUR DICTIONARY BEFORE CHANGING-->. Artist Bhumenjoy faced great challenges in making the visual character of Keibu Kei-Oiba, as the character is about the combination of a human and a beast. Various faded colours were used by the drawing team to adapt to the story.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nishikanta|first=Naorem|title=Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part II {{!}} Manipur Times|date=7 November 2013 |url=https://manipurtimes.com/bhumenjoy-konsam-on-the-chemistry-of-making-keibu-kei-oiba-part-ii/|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730082054/http://manipurtimes.com/bhumenjoy-konsam-on-the-chemistry-of-making-keibu-kei-oiba-part-ii/|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Film==
==Theatre==
A 2D Manipuri animated film, ''Keibu Keioiba'', has been made, directed by [[Bhumenjoy Konsam]], released in 2009, based on the original folktale.
{{lang|mni|[[Yamata Amasung Keibu Keioiba]]}}, Yamata-no-Orochi and Keibu Keioiba, is a Meitei-language play that interweaves the stories of the two legendary creatures, Keibu Keioiba and [[Yamata-no-Orochi]] of [[Japanese mythology]]. The role of Keibu Keioiba was firstly played by ''Kshetrimayum Priyobrata'' and then secondly played by Pangambam Tyson Meitei.<ref>{{Cite web|title=YAMATA AMASUNG KEIBU KEIOIBA – 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2020|url=https://www.21brm.nsd.gov.in/yamata-amasung-keibu-keioiba/|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-04-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422224323/https://www.21brm.nsd.gov.in/yamata-amasung-keibu-keioiba/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-02-16|title=Heisnam Tomba's Play: Yamata Amasung Keibu Keioiba|url=https://stagebuzz.in/2020/02/16/heisnam-tombas-play-yamata-amasung-keibu-keioiba/|website=StageBuzz|language=en-GB|archive-date=2022-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613193457/https://stagebuzz.in/2020/02/16/heisnam-tombas-play-yamata-amasung-keibu-keioiba/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
* [[Tiger head]]
* [[Keimu]]


== Sources ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales|title=Keibu Keioiba|website=e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageSelector.asp?src=Keibu_Keioiba_By_Nganthoi_Lourembam&ch=manipur&sub1=Folks&sub2=Folk_Tales|title=Keibu Keioiba|website=e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Folk_Tales.Kabui_Keioiba_and_Lai_Khutsangbi_Stories_of_Hunger_By_James_Oinam|title=Kabui Keioiba and Lai Khutsangbi: Stories of Hunger?|website=e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Folk_Tales.Kabui_Keioiba_and_Lai_Khutsangbi_Stories_of_Hunger_By_James_Oinam|title=Kabui Keioiba and Lai Khutsangbi: Stories of Hunger?|website=e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba|title=Taming 'Keibu Keioiba': Translation as Recovery|website=e-pao.net}}
* {{Cite web|url=http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Taming_Keibu_Keioiba|title=Taming 'Keibu Keioiba': Translation as Recovery|website=e-pao.net}}
{{Meiteimyth navbox long}}
{{Meiteimyth navbox long}}
[[Category:Meitei culture]]
 
[[Category:Keibu Keioiba]]
[[Category:Fictional kidnappers]]
[[Category:Meitei folklore]]
[[Category:Meitei folklore]]
[[Category:Meitei literature]]
[[Category:Meitei literature]]
[[Category:Meitei mythology]]
[[Category:Meitei mythology]]
{{simple-Wikipedia}}
[[Category:Mythological rapists]]
[[Category:Therianthropes]]
[[Category:Tigers in Meitei culture]]

Latest revision as of 09:22, 17 January 2026


A life-size statue of Keibu Keioiba in the Menjor Multipurpose Research Centre and Unity Park, Khangabok
Groupingmonster
Similar entities
FolkloreMeitei folk tale
Other name(s)Kabui Salang Maiba
CountryIndia
RegionManipur
Keibu Keioiba
Keibu Keioiba trying to devour the old woman.
First appearance
Created byBhumenjoy Konsam
Voiced byBishwamittra
In-universe information
AliasKabui Salang Maiba
Speciesman with the head of a tiger
SpouseThabaton
OriginManipur
NationalityIndian
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

Keibu Keioiba, also known as Kabui Keioiba, is a mythical creature with the head of a tiger and the body of a human in the Meitei mythology and folklore of Manipur. According to legend, he was once a skilful priest named Kabui Salang Maiba. He used witchcraft to turn himself into a ferocious tiger. As punishment of his pride, he could not completely turn back to his original human form.[4][5][6][7][8]

Story[edit | edit source]

Keibu Keioiba was a human in the daytime and a tiger at night. During night, he prowled around looking for food. One night, he found an older woman's house and planned to devour her. The old woman said that her wrinkled skin would not be tasty and suggested that he eat a beautiful and young woman named Thabaton instead. Thabaton was the only sister in a family with seven brothers. The old woman told Keibu Keioiba that her brothers had gone for a work and that Thabaton was alone. The old woman helps Keibu Keioiba to trick Thabaton into opening the door to her house and succeeded in making Thabaton. Keibu Keioba kidnaps Thabaton.[9]

Shortly after this, Thabaton's brothers return home from work[10] and discover that Thabaton is missing. They ask the old woman about their sister, and she tells them about Keibu Keioiba. The seven brothers prepare their weapons and set out in search of their sister. Keibu Keioiba has not eaten Thabaton. Instead, he has forced Thabaton to become his wife, and they live together in the forest. The brothers never stop searching for their sister. One day, they see Thabaton. When they get close to her, they see that she is with a man and has a baby with her. The brothers discreetly signal to Thabaton so that she knows they have arrived. When Keibu Keioiba goes away for a hunt, Thabaton meet her brothers and they plan her escape.[9]:76

When Keibu Keioiba returns, Thabaton gives him a hollow utong (bamboo pipe) open at both ends. She tells Keibu Keioiba to fetch water from the stream with the utong. In Keibu Keioiba's absence, the brothers burn down Keibu Keioiba's house, kill the baby, and run away with their sister.[9]:77 On the other hand, Keibu Keioiba could not collect water with the utong; when he tried, the water leaked. A crow, observing his activities from a treetop mocked his foolishness. Keibu Keioiba returns home to find his son dead, his wife missing, and his house burnt to the ground. His anger knew no bounds. He charges back to the home of Thabaton and her brothers, who have prepared their weapons. As soon as Keibu Keioiba approaches them, they attack. Finally, Keibu Keioiba dies at the hands of the Thabaton's seven brothers. Thabaton and her seven brothers live happily ever after.[9]:78[10]:59

Film[edit | edit source]

In the 2009 Meitei language animated film, Keibu Keioiba, the character of Keibu-Kei-Oiba was uniquely designed to a humanoid tiger, which had to speak dialogues in human voices. The facial structure of the character was twisted out of the normal shape of a real tiger to a little bit extend. It was done so as to bring adjustment to the human voice and the speaking actions during digitalisation. Artist Bhumenjoy faced great challenges in making the visual character of Keibu Kei-Oiba, as the character is about the combination of a human and a beast. Various faded colours were used by the drawing team to adapt to the story.[11]

Theatre[edit | edit source]

Yamata Amasung Keibu Keioiba, Yamata-no-Orochi and Keibu Keioiba, is a Meitei-language play that interweaves the stories of the two legendary creatures, Keibu Keioiba and Yamata-no-Orochi of Japanese mythology. The role of Keibu Keioiba was firstly played by Kshetrimayum Priyobrata and then secondly played by Pangambam Tyson Meitei.[12][13]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ A Knock at the Door. Oryx Press. 1992. p. 116. ISBN 978-0-89774-733-2. ... it may remind you of the European tale "Beauty and the Beast
  2. ↑ Beck, Brenda E. F.; Claus, Peter J.; Goswami, Praphulladatta; Handoo, Jawaharlal (1999). Folktales of India. University of Chicago Press. p. 103. ISBN 978-0-226-04083-7.
  3. ↑ "Heisnam Tomba's Play: Yamata Amasung Keibu Keioiba". StageBuzz. 16 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  4. ↑ Regunathan, Sudhamahi (2005). Folk Tales of the North-East. Children's Book Trust. ISBN 978-81-7011-967-8. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  5. ↑ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  6. ↑ Devy, G. N.; Davis, Geoffrey V.; Chakravarty, K. K. (12 August 2015). Knowing Differently: The Challenge of the Indigenous. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-317-32569-7. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  7. ↑ Sangeet Natak. 1985.
  8. ↑ Krasner, David (2008). Theatre in Theory 1900-2000: An Anthology. Wiley. ISBN 978-1-4051-4043-0. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 B. Jayantakumar Sharma; Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh (2014). Folktales of Manipur. pp. 74–75.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 S Sanatombi (2014). মণিপুরী ফুংগাৱারী (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). p. 57-58.
  11. ↑ Nishikanta, Naorem (7 November 2013). "Bhumenjoy Konsam on the Chemistry of Making Keibu-Kei-Oiba – Part II | Manipur Times". Archived from the original on 30 July 2019.
  12. ↑ "YAMATA AMASUNG KEIBU KEIOIBA – 21st Bharat Rang Mahotsav 2020". Archived from the original on 22 April 2021.
  13. ↑ "Heisnam Tomba's Play: Yamata Amasung Keibu Keioiba". StageBuzz. 16 February 2020. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022.

External links[edit | edit source]

Meitei Mythology & Folklore

Mythic Texts and Folktales:
Numit Kappa | Moirang Kangleirol | Moirang Shayon | Khamba Thoibi | Sandrembi Chaisra
Fungawari Singbul | Funga Wari
Divinities:
Maikei Ngaakpa Lais | Leimalel | Sanamahi
Emoinu | Panthoipi
Legendary Creatures:
Dragons | Helloi | Hingchabi | Keibu Keioiba | Khoirentak tiger | Samadon Ayangba | Uchek Langmeidong
Mythical and Sacred Places:
Lai Lamlen | Khamnung | Kangla | Mt. Koupalu | Nongmaiching Hills | Thangching Hills

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