Yoimongba
Yoimongba was a Meitei prince of the Ningthouja dynasty of Ancient 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 various place names in Manipur.[1]
| Yoimongba | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meitei Prince | |||||||||
 Yoimongba being swallowed by the mythical bird, Kakyen, while Taothingmang is trying to shoot the bird. | |||||||||
| Born | Kangleipak | ||||||||
| Died | Kangleipak | ||||||||
| |||||||||
| House | Ningthouja dynasty | ||||||||
| Father | Khuyoi Tompok | ||||||||
| Religion | Sanamahism | ||||||||
| Occupation | Prince of Kangleipak | ||||||||
In 266 CE, he appointed several clan rulers of Luwang, Khuman, Angom, and Moirang.[2]
Family
Ngangoi Yoimongba was the eldest son of King Khuyoi Tompok of the Ningthouja dynasty, and the elder brother of Taothingmang and Lairoklembi.[3] The mother of the three children was Queen Nongmainu Ahongbee.[4]
Taothingmang succeeded his father,[a] while Lairoklembi was married to the Chief of Koubru.[5]
Early deeds
Ngangoi Yoimongba secretly went out at night to locate the lair of a gigantic bird known as Kakyen. Yet the bird swiftly carried him away like he was a tiny chicken. His younger brother, Taothingmang, skilled at casting nets, was nearby and pursued the bird.[1]
River-clearing mission
In the story, Yoimongba gave 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.[1][6]
To stay happy while working hard, Yoimongba brought along different chirping birds. Their cheerful sounds helped him work faster, and he soon got ahead of his younger brother. He then reached Lilong and met Phunal Telheiba who told him that he cannot dig river in his land.[7][1][5]
Later, Yoimongba and Taothingmang met again at a place now called Iril Lilong. From there, they continued to work together.[1][6] The place where the Iril River and Imphal River met is called Iril Lilong.[8]
Defeating the enormous bird
As they traveled south, they arrived at a secluded village that housed around a hundred families. An elderly woman in the area informed them that a massive bird had been assaulting the villagers. The creature feasted on human remains and resided in an adjacent hollow. As a result, no one came out of their houses. She cautioned that the princes could be eaten just like baby chicks in its grip.[1] The two brothers initially attempted to create a big nest to capture the bird. However, the woman informed them that this approach would be ineffective. Instead, they needed to pray to Leimarel Sidabi, the nurturing goddess, and request her sword and arrow.[1]
These holy weapons were excessively powerful for common individuals. In reality, they were so strong that they fractured the boat transporting them in half. Following the goddess's guidance, Taothingmang engaged in rigorous religious rituals and abstained from food for a month. Subsequently, they were ultimately granted permission to utilize the weapons.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1] In the end, the settlement of the Lokkha-Haokhas were subdued into the Meitei polity.[9][10]
Notes
- ↑ There was no system of primogeniture in ancient Kangleipak.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Singh, Ch. Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100
- ↑ Moyon, The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (2023), p. 163, 313.
- ↑ Linthoi Chanu The Tales of Kanglei Throne Part 2 By L Memo. www.e-pao.net. Retrieved 2025-11-09.
- ↑ Tensuba, Genesis of Indian Tribes (1993), p. 141.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ajit Meetei (2018), p. 9.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Tensuba, Genesis of Indian Tribes (1993), p. 143.
- ↑ Parratt, Saroj Nalini. The Court Chronicle of the Kings of Manipur: The Cheitharon Kumpapa, 2005. p. 25
- ↑ Ajit Meetei (2018), p. 11.
- ↑ Moyon, The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (2023), p. 286.
- ↑ Tensuba, Genesis of Indian Tribes (1993), p. 205.
Bibliography
- Moyon, Rev Dr Koningthung Ngoru. The Lost Kingdom of Moyon (Bujuur): Iruwng (King) Kuurkam Ngoruw Moyon & The People of Manipur (in en) (2023-11-16)Shashwat Publication. ISBN 978-81-19517-31-2.
- Ajit Meetei, Hidam. The Iril River Valley, Manipur: A Historical Perspective. North Asian International Research Journal of Social Science and Humanities (NAIRJC) 4 (1) (January 2018).
- Tensuba, Keerti Chand. Genesis of Indian Tribes: An Approach to the History of Meiteis and Thais (in en) (1993)Inter-India Publications. ISBN 978-81-210-0308-7.