Emoinu

Emoinu (Meitei: ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ) is the Manipuri goddess of hearth, home, family, wealth, peace, fertility, wisdom, prosperity, vitality, resources and the right ordering of domesticity.[1][2]

Symbol of Sanamahism
Emoinu
ꯏꯃꯣꯏꯅꯨ
Goddess of hearth, home, family, peace, fertility, wisdom, wealth, vitality, resources and prosperity
Mother goddess
Other namesThumleima,
Phouoibi,
Nga Leima,
Irai Leima,
Leimarel Sidabi, etc.
AffiliationSanamahism and Manipuri mythology
AbodeSanamahi Kachin (Household kitchen, near the stove)
Mantraꯎꯡ ꯔꯩ ꯔꯦ ꯍꯌꯥ ꯍꯌꯥꯔꯦ! ꯍꯥꯗ ꯏꯃꯥ ꯁꯤꯗꯕꯤ ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ ꯑꯍꯣꯡ ꯑꯆꯥꯎꯕꯤ ꯫o꯫
Ung Rei Re Haya- Hayare! Hada Ima Sidabi Imoinu Ahong Achaubi ꯫o꯫
SymbolPhungā Lairu (hearth), Chengphu (rice pot),
Senphu (wealth pot),
Yotshabi (tripod)
and Hidakphu (hookah).
TextsMalem Chakkhong PuYa,
Yumsharol,
Konthoujam Nongarol,
Emoinu Mingkheirol,
Emoinu Tengtharol
Genderfemale
RegionManipur
FestivalsImoinu Iratpa
Greek equivalentHestia
Roman equivalentVesta (mythology)
Hinduism equivalentMahalakshmi

In Manipuri mythology, Emoinu is known for her sense of humor. Generally, she is portrayed as "an old woman", as her name means "great grandmother" in Manipuri language.

Ancient texts
Further information: PuYa

There are many ancient texts which mentioned the description of the deity. A few of them include "Emoinu Tengtharol", "Emoinu Mingkheirol", "Yumsharol", "Malem Chukkhong Puya" and so on.

Etymology

The name Emoinu stands for the goddess rearing the human beings. The first-word syllable E means human beings, moi meaning rearing and nu meaning Goddess.[3]

Ahongbi means giver of the household properties plentifully. Ebendhou meaning great-grandmother.[4]

Legend

There are two legends about the origin of the goddess Emoinu.

  • The first legend is mentioned in ancient Meitei Manipuri text "Lairembi Nongumlol".

According to the text, the Sky God Salailen Sidaba has seven daughters, whom he sent them down to earth to prosper the human civilization. All the goddesses were given a certain task to serve in their future. In that event, a goddess was given the task to be the mother of peace, wealth and prosperity. Later, she was named "Emoinu Ahongbi".

  • According to the second legend, Creator God Atingkok Maru Sidaba asked his consort, the earth goddess Leimarel Sidabi to produce another goddess in her exact copy. So, she did. The new goddess was named Emoinu Ahongbi and was sent to earth to be the goddess of peace, wealth and prosperity. Besides, she is the Guardian of the mankind.[5]

Divine forms

She has various divine forms. Some of them are:

  • Leimarel Sidabi: Earth goddess
  • Panthoibi: War goddess
  • Phouoibi: Food goddess
  • Ngaleima: Fish goddess
  • Thumleima: Salt goddess

Festival

Imoinu Iratpa is observed every 12th day of the Meitei lunar month, Waakching (Dec-Jan in gregorian calendar).[6][7] On this day, especially at night, Emoinu is offered what each can, particularly fish curries as dinner for Emoinu and a variety of cuisines in odd numbers.[8]

Worship

Abode

There are two major places in a household where the deity could be worshipped:-

  • One abode is at the fireplace "Phunga Lairu" of the kitchen of the household.
  • Another place is at the "Sanamahi Kachin", the South western corner of the household.

Ritual

Ebendhou Emoinu is offered from the first serving of every meal prepared in a Meitei household. The serving is made by placing three servings of the cooked rice on a plate that is set aside. These offerings should be only vegetarian foods or fish.

The household members are asked to maintain discipline, be respectful, and be tidy so as to please Emoinu.

  • A Manipuri feature film Imoinu shows the worship of the deity, alongside the storyline of the film.
gollark: Mostly obsoleted by neural interface technology.
gollark: It's a computer, but you can carry it.
gollark: I would join "in person" but multiMC isn't working today.]
gollark: Huh. Apparently SPUDNET is disconnected. Oh well.
gollark: I can probably help with that, if I connect to a spare potatOS computer with a modem.

See also

References
  1. https://m.telegraphindia.com/states/north-east/meiteis-celebrate-emoinu/cid/1627030
  2. http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.books.emoinu
  3. http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.books.emoinu
  4. http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.books.emoinu
  5. http://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=reviews.books.emoinu
  6. "Observance of festival of Emoinu". E-Pao. Nabakumar Salam.
  7. http://e-pao.net/GP.asp?src=7..030115.jan15
  8. https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/imoinu-iratpa


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