| Khunu Leima | |
|---|---|
Goddess of rodents | |
| Member of Lairembis | |
| File:ęŻęŻęŻ¤ ęŻęŻŠęŻ.jpg Goddess Shapi Leima | |
| Other names |
|
| Affiliation | Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) |
| Animals | rodents |
| Symbols | rodents |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Manipur, Northeast India |
| Ethnic group | Meitei ethnicity |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Personal information | |
| Parents | Salailen (Soraren) |
| Siblings | Khunu Leima and Nganu Leima |
Shapi Leima (Shabi Leima) or Sapi Leima (Sabi Leima) is the goddess of rodents in Meitei mythology and religion. She is a sister of goddesses, Khunu Leima and Nganu Leima. Legend says that all the three sisters married to a single mortal man.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Etymology
The Meitei female given name "Sapi Leima" (ęŻęŻęŻ¤ ęŻęŻŠęŻ) or "Sabi Leima" (ęŻęŻęŻ¤ ęŻęŻŠęŻ) is made up of two component words. The two words are "Sabi" (ęŻęŻęŻ¤) and "Leima" (ęŻęŻŠęŻ). "Sabi" (ęŻęŻęŻ¤) is a rat like animal. It lives in the clumps of bamboos.[7] It is known for having sharp teeth.[5] The word "Leima" (ęŻęŻŠęŻ) is further made up of two component words, "Lei" (ęŻęŻŠ) and "Ma" (ęŻ). "Lei" (ęŻęŻŠ) means land or earth. "Ma" (ęŻ) means "mother". Literally, "Leima" (ęŻęŻŠęŻ) can be translated as "Land Mother" or "Mother Earth". But in general context, "Leima" (ęŻęŻŠęŻ) means a queen or a mistress or a lady.[8]
Description
Goddess Shapi Leima (Shabi Leima) is described as the mistress of all the rodents of the world. At any moment, she could summon all the rodents at any place she wishes. She is the youngest daughter of God Salailen (alias Soraren).[2][3]
Related pages
- Imoinu (Emoinu) - Meitei goddess of wealth
- Ireima (Ereima) - Meitei goddess of water
- Leimarel (Leimalel) - Meitei goddess of earth
- Ngaleima - Meitei goddess of fish
- Panthoibi - Meitei goddess of civilization, love and warfare
- Phouoibi (Phouleima) - Meitei goddess of agricultural crops
- Thumleima - Meitei goddess of salt
References
- â Tal Taret (in ęŻęŻ¤ęŻęŻŠ ęŻęŻŁęŻ). 2006. p. 39.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - â 2.0 2.1 Tal Taret (in ęŻęŻ¤ęŻęŻŠ ęŻęŻŁęŻ). 2006. p. 48.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - â 3.0 3.1 Manipuri Phungawari (in ęŻęŻ¤ęŻęŻŠ ęŻęŻŁęŻ). 2014. p. 203.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - â Regunathan, Sudhamahi (2005). Folk Tales of the North-East. Children's Book Trust. ISBN 978-81-7011-967-8.
- â 5.0 5.1 Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
- â Eben Mayogee Leipareng (in ęŻęŻ¤ęŻęŻŠ ęŻęŻŁęŻ). 1995. p. 107.
{{cite book}}:|website=ignored (help) - â "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Sabi". uchicago.edu. 2006.
- â "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Leima". uchicago.edu. 2006.
Bibliography
- Glimpses of Manipuri Culture - Dr. Yumlembam Gopi Devi
- The History of Manipur: An early period - Wahengbam Ibohal Singh ¡ 1986