Evolution of an "Institution" called Yangmaso Shaiza

1.0 Mr. Chairman Sir, dignitaries on the dais and off the dais, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. At the outset, as a beloved daughter-in-law of Lt. yangmaso Shaiza and on behalf of my family express our deep gratitude to the President M.J. Malemnganba, Sukham Premjit- Convenor of the Seminar and all the dignitaries of "The United All Communities Social Uplifters, Kangleipak' (UNACSU) Imphal, for remembering Yangmaso Shaiza and having organised the Seminar on Yangmaso Shaiza in a befitting manner.

I am also deeply honoured to say a few words about him in this august gathering. As a beloved daughter-in-law of Yangmaso Shaiza I know first hand the man and his character. He treated me as his own daughter and his kindness, generosity, optimistic, constructive attitudes and clean heart. I have not seen in another human being. Outwardly he was short temper, intolerant of laziness, dishonesty but at heart he was one of the most sensitive and kind-hearted person.

2.0 In the backdrop of so much ethnic strife, ethinc dishonesty and ethnic clash in Manipur and absence of a leader acceptable to all the communities in Manipur, we sadly and deeply missed the state's man like leadership of Yangmaso Shaiza in Manipur. Today, we have many tribe level, community level, district level or constituency level leaders but no leader for Manipur state.

Yangmaso Shaiza was one of the few leaders in Manipur who was deeply admired, respected and loved by all the communities and tribes of Manipur and rightly so. Communalism, tribalism, parochialism was alien to him. Courage and conviction, good nature and compassion for the less fortunate were his DNA. He was simple, down to earth; he was not cunning or shrewd but wise and lartge hearted. His wisdom and large heartedness made him stand apart from all other so calledleaders and politicians.

3.0 . Yangmaso Shaiza, the first Chief Minister of Manipur from the Hills was born on Sunday 15th July 1923 in an educated family in Ukhrul. He was the first of many illustrious sons of 'Babu' Shangyang Shaiza, a tall and handsome man probably the first Revenue Officer (Circle Officer) of Ukhrul during Pre-Independent India and Mrs. Ninchungla (the eldest daughter of Raihao, the chief of Hunphun/ Ukhrul).

In early 1920s under the leadership of Babu Shangyang Shaiza, the first Tangkhul Education Union was formed. Under his leadership a land was bought for school site at Ukhrul and a playground, probably the first football ground in the hill areas was constructed without the help of any heavy machinery. Thousands of people both men and women gladly came to help using simple tools, spades and other implements.

The Tangkhul Education Union raised fund by selling soybeans, millet and other local products to the valley people at Gwantabi around 20 Kms. east of Imphal. With these money, boys hostel was built in Imphal and many boys who had passed class V (five) were sent to Imphal for further studies. Scholarships were awarded to most of the students. Babu Shangyang was generous to a fault and his hospitality was legenday. By God's grace he was a rich man and he generously provided board and lodgings to many people. Yangmaso Shaiza inherited many of the qualities of his father.

3.1 Yangmaso Shaiza did his early schoolings in Ukhrul, Imphal, matriculated from shillong and graduation in Scottish College Kolkatta. There his classmates were Shri. Rishang Keishing and Shri. Wungmareo Shaiza (W. Shaiza) from Manipur. All three of them graduated in 1946 probably the 2nd batch of graduates among the Tangkhuls (the first being Maj. Bob Khathing, graduated in 1929 from Cotton College, Guwahati).

4.0 Achievements :

Shri Y. Shaiza was a great athlete and a keen footballer. As Chief Minister of Manipur (from 1977) he used to organise football matches were he himself played.

4.1 During the World War II, the British sought out his service as an interpreter After graduation he returned home and was selected as Extra Assistant Commissioner/Circle Officer in 1946. he married Hangmila Shaiza in 1949, who was later the first elected woman MLA of Manipur. On 15th October 1949, when Manipur was merged to India, yangmaso Shaiza opposed it and lead in the movement of the independence of Manipur under Manipur Nationalist Union in the early 1950s, after given his resignation from EAC (CO). To subdue the movement Yangmaso Shaiza along with Shri S. Indramani, Shri W. Buddha and Shri R.K. Maipaksana were arrested by the police and thrown behind bar on April 5th 1953.

4.2 Thereafter he and his wife Hangmila Shaiza took up the noble profession of bringing enlightment to the people by teaching at a village Khamasom. It can be also taken as self political asylum. The government having recognised the acumen, sincerity of purpose and the emulative qualities of his head and heart re-appointed him as BDO/ SDO and was posted at Tengnoupal, Thanlon, Churachandpur, Tipaimukh, Imphal, Tadubi, Tamenglong and Ukhrul and in many responsible positions.

People of all these places fondly remembered him as an upright, earless, man of actions and an outstanding officer. Wherever he was posted, he toured the Block/Area extensively by foot or by jeep accompanied by his wife and children. His priorities were constructions of roads, water channels, school building etc. Whenever, he came across good works done by the villagers, he would asked his subordinates officers to prepare estimates, work orders, on the spot and disbursed money in front of all the villagers to avoid misused by the subordinate officers and the village chiefs. People of Churachandpur still called them "Yangmaso Style".

4.3 In 1971, on the request of the people, Yangmaso Shaiza left the Civil Service and whole heartedly plunged into his calling The Upliftment of society by joining the Election of 5th Lok Sabha as an Independent candidate but was defeated. When Manipur was granted full statehood in 1972 he contested from Ukhrul/44-AC and comfortably won as MLA and became the Finance Minister under the leadership of Md Alimmudin as Chief Minister. In the year 1974, Yangmaso Shaza won again from Manipur Hills Union (MHU) which was founded by him He was the first Chief Minister of Manipur from the hills, but it was short lived from 10th July 1974 - 5th December 1974.

When India was declared Emergency under Article 352 on 26th June 1975 - 21st March 1977, Yangmaso strongly opposed to the excesses meted out in Manipur too on :
Forced Sterilisation
Destruction of low-income housing at many places of Imphal town.
Detention of people by the police without charges or notification to the families etc.

He was arrested and put behind bars for portesting against the governemnt for ushering Democracy to a 'grinding halt' Many of his followers and well wishers joined him in jail by forcing the police to arrest them too. Such was the love my father-in-law had received from the people of Manipur. He was held under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).

After he was released from jail, he was elected as MP from Congress party with thumping majority in 1977, but returned the same year as Chief Minister under Janata Party from 29th June 1977 - 14th November 1979. he filed a case against Ex-Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi and summoned at Imphal Court for the various excesses committed during the Emergency.

4.4 Some of his Achievements during his Chief Ministership 1977 - 79.
(1) conversion of 107 Private Schools and Colleges to Government.
(2) Full Autonomy to the Districts Council.
(3) Upgradation of District Administration and decentralisation of power to the Districts.
(4) Seperate Engineering Cells for hills and valley.
(5) ICDS was first started at Ukhrul.
(6) Development of Connectivity, supply of water and electrification even to the remotest part of Manipur.
(7) Meiteilon and English were made Official languages of Manipur.
(8) he started many Visionary projects such as Mini Secretariat in Hill Districts, Multipurpose auditorium, schools, colleges, hospitals etc.

Perhaps his biggest contribution was peace and harmony in Manipur. Ethnic strife was unheard of in Manipur under his leadership. His tenure as Chief Ministership was only around 2 1/2 years but he had done many remarkable and magnanimous jobs for Manipur.

5.0 His Vision :

Yangmaso Shaiza was a dynamic' and a far-sighted leader. All his policies were visionary and cosmopolitan. As Chief Minister he was convinced that the only way to maintain peace & harmony in the state was to reach out benefits to the remotest parts of the state and to bring development to both the hills and valley and to all tribes and communities. His vision was accommodation and acceptance of all tribes and communities in Manipur. His vision was accommodation and acceptance of all tribes and communities in Manipur. His vision was a ranbow concept of recognition and acceptance of the unique culture and character of all tribes and communities. For his all human beings are brogther and sisters for we are all the children of God, so he loved and respected Meiteis, Kukis, Mizos, Hmar, Paites, Anals, Pangal, Tangkhul, Mao, Rongmei, Rengmei etc. equally.

6.0 His Inborn Nature :

Yangmaso Shaiza was a stout built and an athletic man with a deep and baritone voice, he was short tempered but fair; he was intolerant of dishonesty, tribalism, communalism and red-tapism. Like his father he was generous to a fault and his hospitality was legendary. he was an early riser and cleanliness was one of his most admirable nature, he was a God fearing person with a staunch knowledge of the Bible. His prayers for the family were brief but very genuine as it comes out from the bottom of his heart. He was a man of few words but was a man of action. He had a good memory of all the people's names whom he met. He treated everyone equally both his supporters as well as his opponents in politics.

He used to bring home leapers, beggars and mentally deranged people from the streets and personally took care of them. Once 7 - 8 Konyak Naga farmers visited him and he hosted them for over six months to rehabitate them to stop from their habit of taking opium but rather to expertise for their innate talents for woodcarft.

Another incident was a brilliant student from a poor family from remote border area came to him for help in getting into MBBS. Yangmaso Shaiza simply asked him to sit in his jeep and drrove himself upto the Medical Directorate and get the boy admitted in MBBS. Such was the character of Yangmaso Shaiza. He took his brothers and sister children as his own children, he inspired us to be truthful, always stand up for justice and to be positive, constructive and never to utter a word against other people, he encouraged us to do atleast one good deed a day for other people who are more unfortunate then us.

I believe that his children, grand children, nieces and nephews are following his instructions wherever they may be till today,

7.0 Conclusion :

The cosmopolitan nature and large heartedness, courage and conviction of Yangmaso Shaiza and his vision and policies of accommodating and respecting the identities and culture of different tribes and communities was not acceptable to some sections of the militants. He was brutally assassinated on 30th January 1984 in front of his family in Nagaram, Imphal Shri Yangmaso Shaiza paid with his Life for his Ideals, he left behind his wife, five sons and one daughter with twenty grand children and three great grandsons.

The best tribute to Yangmaso Shaiza is to realise his vision and dream of bringing equal development to both hill and valley, a peaceful and prospeerous Manipur where each and every tribes, communities, hill and valley live together in harmony and make his rainbow concept a reality.

- Soso Shaiza *

( ** This is a speech made on The book release, 'Yangmaso Shaiza And His Manipur' on October 12 2014 by the United All Communities Social Uplifters Kangleipak (UNACSU), in its Third Foundation Day at Amity Hall, Adimjati Siksha Ashram, Imphal )

Meetei Yumjao

"Meetei Yumjao" - The Endangered Art

Every place and every society has its own art, style, culture and Architecture, so do "The Meetei Society". When we talk about the Meitei Architecture, the first thing that comes in the mind is the Meetei Yumjao, the space and place of birth of the entire Meetei Generation. Meitei Yumjao used to be a perfect dwelling unit of an ideal Meetei family, few generations back. Few people of our generation had the opportunity to live in it and enjoy the essence of it and cherish the life style. Meetei society had stopped constructing Meetei Yumjao since 50 to 60 years back and replaced it with timber post - GI sheet or RCC –brick structures. It will be seen only in photographs or museums in days to come. The essence, importance and specialty of Meitei Yumjao can be seen only when we look deeply into our life style, culture and ethics. Each and every part has been properly designed and detailed to suit the lifestyles of Meitei people and the environment. he "Meetei Yumjao" was of two types by its mode of wall construction. First one was of complete straw reinforced mud thick wall up to the roof height embedding the main load bearing post bamboos with Pungcei in different heights as reinforcement steel grass rod.

Second system of wall was of thick straw reinforced mud half wall up to a height of 4 to 5 feet and above that with split bamboo (Wachet) with uniformly distributed and binded Shinghoot by bamboo strips (chepsi Paya) and straw reinforced and cow dung mix mud plastering in different coats. This thick mud wall gives the required thermal insulation for a comfortable living space. Selection of mud was also one of the factors for creating a smooth, fine texture wall which is an earth-friendly and inventive way to bring a healthy and naturalistic life.

Ningol Chakouba na Lakpada Yaifa paojel Pejare

Ngasi Heyangei ge NENe panba Yaifaraba Numit asina Lakpada Yaifa Paojel Pejare.
Kumhei Asi Ching tam ani ge Achetpa Machil manao oibage lipun adu leirengei matamdage pangthoklakle.
Mamangei dage houna Numit asi Machae Amadi Machal oibi kayabu Mapam Lamdam da leireba Mabung Maupwa kayana Machal Machae singa Chak chara ama  chaminanabage Tangna fangba Tanja amani.
Kumhei Asi na Takli Mabung Maupwa kayana Lapna Leikhraba Machal Machae singbu Kaoba leite haina.
Ngamjaba Khudol tamjaduna Machal Machae singna Mabung Maupwa singbu Yaifa Thoujal pebirami.

Adubu Echel asidage theidoktuna Globalisation ge Mingda Ahenba Kaya ama hapchile Khudolpot singe Hidanaba kaya amana Kumhei asi lakani khnbada Sel di leijada Machal Machae singbudi Chakouning Thamoi khudum suduna Leiba Emung kayasu yaodaba nate.
Numit asi Supnatage Chak chara ama chaminaraga Awa nungai Tathok tasin touba na hena Mapung ni, khudol pot ki damak nate haina haijaninge.

Khunai ama sembada Nupi singe Thoudang Chaona Lei.
Kanglei Khunai da Nupi singbu Awangba thakta Thamle.
Akhang kanbi Ninghanadabi Kanglei emage Mamomloi Kaya amana Malemda Amukta thokhedreba Chak tangbage mari leinana Nupi singtage Oiba Akanba ehou Thengkhang Anirak thoke Ahanba Nupi Lan ani suba hiana...

Malemge afaoba Meoi kayana asumna haibirami

“If you educate a man you educate an individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family (nation) – Dr. James Emmanuel Kwegyir-Aggrey (1875 – 1927)

Masidani Nupi ge thoudang kaya lei haina haijarebase.
Tunge Achangba Machang oiba Khunai ama oinanaba Chetna lepiro.
Ahongba Naiba matam ni adubu Matam na hongakeeba makhei khunai su Masak kharadi hongani.
Honglakliba khunai adu mamai chumbinaba Nupi oibi Echae echal singna Afaba Khunai ama ge damak mamai chumbiuu.

Ngasidage chahe 5 muke mamagdadi Nisa Ban/ Meira Paibi ema ebel singe Mapangal yamna kanlambana Khunai ge amotpasing Matam chana Sengdoklami , manghanlami adubu Ngasidi Thouna pumba hankhebagumle.

Masigumba Khunai ase kan nabage damak Achouba Thoudang kaya Loubiramba Ema Ebel Echae Echal pumnamak ki mangluraba Thouna sing adusu amuk hanjinlaktuna Afaba Khunai ama Semlase.

MEETEI WANGULON,YEK SALAI

ORIGIN OF SALAI AND MEETEI RACE

The present Meetei race is a part of the Lai peoples who were created, nurtured and inhabited after first the whole of Koubru mountain ranges of Kangleipak and dispersed and spread through out the Asiatic continent. The Lai peoples came down for the first time to the present Imphal Kangla in about 20,000 years B.P. or 180 centuries B.C., when the present Imphal valley began to be dry, and civilisation began. Probably, the Lai peoples spread and dispersed through out the vast land mass of the Asiatic continent before their arrival to the present Imphal Kangla and also before the Indian sub-continent converged and conjoined with the Eurasian land mass because of the continental drift. The Lai peoples became the present Meetei race of Kangleipak later in history. The present Meetei race is a part of the Lai peoples from the Koubru mountain tops.
When a part of the Lai People from the tops of the Koubru mountain ranges of Kangleipak came down to the present Imphal Valley,approximately in 20,000 year B.P. or 180 centuries B.C.(electroluminiscence dating),present Imphal Kangla was the only dry area and suitable for human habitation. After some time the whole Imphal valley became dried and suitable for human habitations. Then the whole Imphal valley was occupied by the Lai peoples. Then a superhuman to be precise(according to faith), our legendary historical personality, Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa was born among the Lai peoples. He became the first political Monarch of Kangleipak. He married Lailup Talet (scripture), Lai nura taret (seven Lai ladies). The names of the 7 Lai ladies (queens of the Monarch) :

1. Laikok Huimulei Puksi Khompi
2. Huimu Leima
3. Loikhompi Mawai Thongngai Lelpi
4. Laiyek Pithet Leima
5. Leima Ulum Khotchao Tonpi
6. Leitham Tali Leima
7. Nonghainu Lilee Leima

These 7 queens gave birth to 7 sons what we call to day as seven Salais, namely, Mangang, Luwang , Khuman, Angom, Moilang, Khapa-nganpa and Salai Leisangthem, the present seven Salais of the Meetei race as we find today. Our salai names or the seven clans names are after the names of the 7 sons of the first Legendary Monarch of Kangleipak. The part of the Lai peoples who came down to the Imphal valley first treading the present Imphal Kangla became the Meetei Race since the time of our legendary Monarch, Konchin Tukthapa Ipu Athoupa Pakhangpa (Ibudhou Pakhangpa at present). These are all recorded history of the Meetei race of Kangleipak upto now.The development of writing scripts (Aphabets) was during the time of our first Monarch, Konchin Tukthapa. Since then we had two kinds of histories namely history of Kangleipak (history of the kingdom) and Yumtapa Puya (Genealogy of the different seven Salais or seven clans.)

MEETEI PHILOSOPHY OF THE CREATION OF UNIVERSE AND YEK

The Universe containing the space-time continuum in meetei philosophy is called tengpalpa/tingpalpa.the milky way is called ningthou turel and the creator of the universe is called thawaimichak ningthou tulel sitapa/epung loinapa apakpa.He is termed as the ONE.
Epung loinapa apakpa can be equated to the primordial state of the universe.
The body of the epung loinapa apakpa is attached to 7 MEETEI LAIPUNGTHOUS
1.NONGPOK CHINGKHEI APALPA
2.AWANGPA KOUPALU
3.THANGCHING KOILEL LAI
4.KHANA CHAOPA WANGPULEL LAI
5.ELEL PULING PULEL LAI
6.LAININGTHOU PANGKALPA
7.SALAILEL SITAPA
Since 7 laipungthous are attached to his body(paktuna naptuna yaopa),he is called apakpa.He is the origin of all bloods(ee pumnamaki mapungni,hourakfamni) and he called epung,he accompanies the universe(tengpalpa/tingpalpa),creatures(taipang panpa) and he is called loinapa(accompany).

Epung loinapa apakapa is the source of blood and every laipungthou carries a region of blood around its body.Since it seems like a figure drawn/bounded by blood( ena koisinduna yekpa manba) it is called eyek.each eyek contains a well of blood(e ki phoon) and e ki phoon is called elik. The eyek and elik interact with each other having enmity.so due to that yek is born.

The youngest son of 7 salai,salai leishangthem married chengleima and gave birth to khum khum ningthou.Khum Khum Ningthou had a son Maliya Phampalcha,the king which gave the meetei lunar calendar denoted by M.F.Maliya Phampalcha along with Leima Tannu gave birth to Konthouba who established Haolokpam SURNAME.

YEK AND YEK THOKPA
REMINDER:SALAILEL SITAPA WAS THE YOUNGEST OF 7 LAIPUNGTHOU AND EPUTHOU PAKHANGBA WAS HIS YOUNGEST SON(HE WAS BORN HUMAN) WHILE LAININGTHOU SANAMAHI WAS THE ELDEST(HE WAS BORN AS GOD).

Since after eputhou pakhangba the lineage became humans as meeteis and a line of seperation became clear between him and his father and forefathers.Salailel sitapa crossed the barrier and married haolokpam tampha chanu and other meetei women who were born to eputhou pakhangba.A controversy arose between man and god and a meeting was held.eputhou pakhangba complained that what will his generations think of his father's misdeeds.So three decisions were taken
1.No humans shall commit the act done by salailel sitapa
2.Since a misdeed was done it shall be termed as yek.
3.if such misdeeds occur again there shall be enmity among man and god ;amongst the 7 laipungthou and among 7 salais.due to enmity the shall be interrelationship amongst bloods.if any one disobeys he shall be punsined according to human and god.
Yek has no particluar value.when same salai intermarriage occurs yek and yek thokpa occurs.

EXPLAINATION OF SALAI

SALAILEL SITAPA FROM HIS IMAGINATION(NUNGPUNG WAKHAL) CREATED 7 LAI NULA.EPUTHOU PAKHANGPA ALONG WITH 7 LAI NURA RULED OVER KANGLEIPAK CREATED FROM NUNGPUNG WAKHAL.HE HAD 7 SONS WHICH WERE CALLED SALAI 7.SINCE EPUTHOU WAS HUMAN,SATONG PANPA AND HIS 7 WIVES WERE LAI,THE RESULT OF THE RELATIONSHIP IS CALLED SA+LAI=SALAI.

FURUP kharagi Yek Salai

Meetei – Mangang, Luwang, Khuman, Angom, Moirang, Kha-Nganba, Salai Leisangthem

Koireng – Yeite, Songthu, Leisen, Tumtin, Tentey, walbe, Meekal

Kom – Yuhung, Thao, Marim, parpa, Rangsai, Makal, Rakung

Kabui – Kamei, Gangmei, Golmei, Longmei, maringmei, Palmei, Faomei

Maring – Dalla, Raja, dingthoi, chongdur, thoitak, sampar, Thanga

Moyon – Ruin, Chinir, sesong, songsir, nguru, sirbum, bungjir

Monsang – wangran, nungchim, hungam, khartu, langrom, turip, charu

Chothe – yuhang, Thao, marim, parpa, rangsai, makal, rakkang

Tangkhul – Duidang, sadang, khodang, khapudang, choudang, seethudang, kingdang

Kharam – saifu, saichal, rangla, rakhou, seilon, mariyam, kailam

Anal – murchal, masum, pasen, chantung, runlal, hrangbung, yasa.

Meetei Waheigi Wangulon

1. Arubana mataida aneibana mayaida chellani. Asengba sana maklagani, aruppa sana langlagani :

Houjikki matam ashida aranbana achumba saba, phattabana aphaba saba kaya lakle, achumba wangang ngangba, achumba thabak touba, achumba chatchaba minungshi leiba mee ( asengba sana gi gun chenba achumba mee) masing hantharakli. Aduga amaromdana phattabana asengba saba, aranbana achumba saba, minungshi khangdaba mee na minungshi leiba saba, manungdana aranba touraga mapandana achumba thabak touba saba (arangba aruppa sana), aronba phattaba aranba pambei lonna sijinnaba meeoi mashing yamkhatlakli. Aranba aronba touba meebuna ekaikhumnaba utpa aduga mabukchel sengba chumna thabak touba mee buna chatnabi khangdaba apangba mee ama oina lounaba chatnabi ama lakli. Honglakliba mawong matou ashida paorou puyada asumna erammi. Aranba aronba chatnabina khwai mayamgi chatnaba mayaida chenba lonchat oire. Achumba asengba chatnabina khajikta oire, mataida chatnaba lonchat oire, mataida chelle. Arubana mataida aneibana mayaida chellani. Asengba sana maklagani, aruppa sana langlagani hairibasini.

2. Haying Keithel Karani:

Kangleipak (Manipur) gi leibakta keithel achouba macha mashing yamlagani. Achouba keithel khudingmakta pot chei acha athak mana mashing yonbagi mathi makum phattaba amot akaising mapei mapei leiraklagani. Apum asa mayamsing adu chaba haying mapot mapot sanggu sanggu mayam ama laklani tonglani. Maikei khudingmakta haying mapei mapei tonglagani. Mashibu Manipur gi paorouda Haying keithel karani haiduna erammi.

3. Lepna Lepna Sirani. Mapa Leitaba Macha Yamlani :

Angak angakpa taheidaba uheidaba asibagi thoudok wathok leibak ashida toina thokkani. Naha oiba mapa oiba meeoi kaya ekhang khanghoudana siba nabagi thoudok thokkani. Naha oina sikhraba mapa oiba kayagi angang nouwa mashing kaya leiragani. Mapa leitaba angang mashing hen gatlakkani.

Paorou puyana haibasi houjikti chumle.

Mee Amadi Lai

Mi ga Laiga samnarambagi warini.
Mioibana soibadagi laiyamna miobabu lapna enthoklakhibagi warini. Wari asi khanglaba eikhoina aranba amuk toukhigadra? Makhada samlappa wari leijare.
Mi amasung Lai punna leiminnarami. Awatpa amata leitana,aram-khourangba khangdana,awa ana mayoknadana nungaina leiminnarami.
Adugumlaba nungairaba mafamdugi mayai chabukta uhei amakhak panba panbi ama hourami. Palliba uhei adu mi amata chaba yaramde. Laising khaktana yennaduna charami.
Matam kaya houkhraba matungda miwoi anikhak uheidugi maramda watanarami<><>
Mi (1) laiyamsingsi mabuk fatte makhoina uhei amakhak panbasi mioiba amatasu pijade. Uheisi ei mahao khangningi,yamnasu haoramgadaba malli.
Mi(2) hoine eisu khallamlibani, laisingsina eikhoibu namthaduna thaningba malli.Eibani hektuna mahao khangdoksira?
Mi(1) yaine handakisidi eibanni chathoklasi.
Asumna makhoi ani changduna watanaraga amagi marengbanda amana tonglaga heidu lonna heklaga chathoklammi.
Mathang gi numitta hei leiramdabagi warina mafamdugi wari oikhre. Hei pannaba laisingna laiyam gi makokta hei mangkhibagi pao tamle.
Laiyamgi makokki yathang matung enna karamna hei mangkhibano thigatpa houre.laiyamgi wakhaldadi hei asi mioibasingna soidana heklamgani thajei, adubu kanagumba mi amatanasu hei adugi maramda haidoklaktre. Ahoinadum laina chaba oiramgani hairak ee.
Asumna matam kaya changna thirabasu fanglaktabadagi 'wayel kati' paiba mapuna wayenbinaba, heidubu huranba mi/Lai du wayel katina chaptuna mi,Lai khangna wayenbinaba wakat thang gatkhre.
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Mi,Lai suna tilllaba mafam amada wayel kati paiba mapuna magi thouraba kati paiduna aranba touba/ngangba ama hekta chapkadagi ngaikhre. Mising gi ningaidagi laiyamsing hanna wayel katigi mamangda pareng leptuna amamamta oinachangsinkhre. Kanagumba Lai amatasu maral leitabadagi wayel katina chapkhidre.
Mi oibasing amuk pareng pareng leptuna amamamta changduna wayel kati paiba mapuda asumna hairami------"wayel kati pairiba mapu o,nanaigi khut asina laigi mangfadraba hei adubu hek hekpa oiraba nanaigi khut asi khuwaigi mamangda chapthatpiduna cheirak pibiyu. Nanaigi punsina khut yaodana punshi chuppa hingjage." Asumna hainaraga mi kaya mathang mathang changsillakpana maral leitaba mioising wayel katina karisu toukhidre.
Ngasaigi hei huranba anidudi maning ethang thangna leppiboire. Makhoi anigi matang yourakpada-----Mi (1) "wayel kati pairiba mapu o nanaigi khutsina hei dubu hekpa makta oiradi nanaigi khutsi kakpiro" haiduna makhuttu tingthoupada makhuttu wayel katina chapkhidre.
Houjik aroiba mi amakhak ngaire laiyamna khalli------- "aroiba mi si wayel katina chaptuna soidana cheirak fanglani."
*********************
Aroiba mi aduna asumna hairak ee-------Me(2)"wayel kati paibiriba mapu o,nanaigi khutti lairi kbong asina hei adugi makhongda hek changlamlaba khong asi kakpiro" asumna hairakpada laiyamna khalli "ashh nungaiteda khong yaodaba mi ama uragani"adubu wayel katina magi makhongdu kakhidre. Karigi kakte magidi makhongdu heidugi makhongda changkhide Mi(1) gi marengbanda tongduna heidu makhutna hekhibani.
Aroiba midusu hei huranbagi cheirak fangkhidabaduda mi lai pumnamak ngaknare. Kana kana mi/ Lai chithahouba leibra yengbadasu pumnamak sure. Matangsida mi singna asumna hairak ee. "Heidu laina chaba oiramgani" "Laina chakhre" " Laina chakhre".

Hei huranbasu faba fangdre, laiga migasu chinda paodanaduna marei yetnare. Azumna nungaina engna chikna leiramba mafamdu wayetnabana pumnil nille.
Mi amasu laigi chayetnaba hellakpadagi laiyam khundinnaduna waep khara loure. Warepsingdugi matung enna----mioibadagi siba naidaba louthoktuna, aram khourangba, ana ayek kaya faohallaga laisingdagi lapna thamkhiduna makhoina warakpa matamda lai eikhoibu kouduna tengthahansi. Masi natradi lai eikhoi engna leiba fanglaroi.
Asumna warepnakhibadagi mioiba eikhoigi hounik oiriba mawong azi oikhibani hai.
Wari asi chumba lanbana ama oiraga warisida yaoriba mioibagi wakhallon, chatnalonchat, kayasi neinaraga wakhal lousing oibra yengsi asoiba heinabising semdikminnaduna tungi mirolsingbu nungai hounaba sintha pangminnaramsi.

Human Turning into Parrot

Human Turning into Parrot
- Mee na Tenawa Onba -
- Animal Fables-

A manipuri Folk tale.................

Once upon a time there was a boy named Yukokthong Yaimaba, the grandson of Koubru King. He was not willing to do the duty of man's work and farming so he chose to share his knowledge on business. On the course of his journey, when he reached Kabo valley he stops by a place of a lady named Haoningsang Poudongnu.

As time passes by, Poudongnu gave birth to a daughter. Her father had left home before she was born and never returned home.

On the other side, the daughter of Poudongnu was getting older and older day by day, she was the beau of a sight. Still her father didn't return home. Her mother named her Songri. She raised her daughter by going to each and every houses begging for their basic needs.

As Songri was a grown woman now, she started working in the farms, chopping woods so her mother stopped begging. Daily breads were easily maintained as they started farming.

The Farm land where Songri and her mother were farming was very fertile. The beautiful charms of paddy were giving a hearty looks to every person when they looked at it.

The beauty of the paddy fields were destroyed by many birds and when Poudongnu saw the scene, she told her daughter, ''Dear beloved, go and take care of the farm from the birds today''.

She went to the paddy field with eatables at her mother's command.

She was looking after the field from birds and simultaneously her father Yukokthong who was gone for 14 years for business was passing by the field and they came to meet with each other. He was mesmerized by the beauty of a lady who was standing by. He went to his place and took rest.

When Songri reached home she saw the same guy having traditional tobacco and she hurriedly asked her mother about him. Her mother told her that he is her father who had gone for long years in search of money.

She was ashamed of the truth and told her mother that she will give up her life by jumping in the Ningthi Turel. Her mother didn't know that she was really going to do it and she continued cooking and didn't follow her.

Even after she fed her husband still Songri wasn't home so she decided to look for her daughter. She wasn't able to find her, she asked her friends and still she was unable to seek her, She keeps looking for her child without eating anything all night.

In her dream, her daughter told her that she won't find her again, she had given up her life and now she turned herself to a small fish, if she wanted to see her daughter again she should catch her and cover her with six folded clothes and then she will born alive again.

Poudongnu woke up and as she was told by her daughter, she went to the river and called her daughter, she kept waiting and finally she started catching fish but it was of a different kind whenever she caught one. She let go all of them as she was looking only for her daughter. She kept throwing some small stones off the river, as she cannot find her daughter she returned home weeping in sorrow.

In her next dream, her daughter reminded her that she was in those stones she threw up the river bank, as soon as she heard it she rushed to the spot and found her, she returned home happily wrapping her in her warm clothes. She did as her daughter told her and kept her.

Pudongnu was so curious that she opened it before the time she mentioned. She found her as a bird and now they cannot be together and her daughter told her that she had to fly away to the mountains where birds are supposed to be. She agreed to her faith that they cannot be together and let her daughter free away to sing '' te te'' and they departed that way.

If we do things without thinking, it leads to false claim. Because of her mother's stupidity and doing things without thinking, now Songri was a Parrot and she flew sky high across the mountains and spent her life that way.

"The End"

A Manipur folk tale translated from a Book in Manipuri "Fungawari Singbul" compiled by B. Jayantakumar Sharma.

Prince and the wicked Friend

Prince and the wicked Friend

A long time ago, a Prince and a Minister's son lived together at a palace. They shared a strong friendship. Once the Prince and the Minister's son had to leave the Palace for their education and the duo started walking. As they continued walking they came across a two sided turn of the road "let's part our ways from here; we'll meet here at the same point after one complete year of our education" and both departed from there. After completion of one year of education the Prince and the Minister's son met there at the same point.

While walking in the Jungle on their way back to the Palace the Minister's son said to the Prince, "Mate, it's the right time to show each other in the Jungle what we have learnt." Since both agreed on it the Minister's son displayed his magical power first. The Minister's son lied down on ground, chanted something on his palm and rubbed them on his face. Immediately a golden deer came out of his mouth and after playing for sometimes the deer went inside his mouth where it came out from.

As soon as the Minister's son finished showing his magical power the Prince started showing his talent. The Prince lied down on the ground, rubbed his face after chanting on his palm and a beautiful golden Parrot came out of his mouth and flew off to a branch. At this time the greedy son of Minister thought, "If I disguise to a golden deer and get inside his body I can become the Prince. And later on I'll become King and live happily ever after." Having this thought on mind the Minister's son disguised himself to a golden deer and disappeared inside the Prince's mouth. The Minister's son got up as the Prince and chopped off his own body into seven parts and burnt them with some dry woods.

Looking at the greedy Minister's son's activity the golden Parrot thought,"Eh! Mate, you are so awful. You set your own body on fire because you are jealous of me. Dismay! I have to spend the rest of my life as a wild bird!" With tears on his face the Parrot flew off in the empty sky.

When the Minister's son returned to the palace pretending as the Prince the Minister asked him, "Where is your mate?" "I and my mate parted our ways." Thus the Minister's son lived as the Prince and after the death of the old King the Minister's son became King of its place and lived happily.

On the other hand, the real prince who had transformed to a golden Parrot came across various places and apparently flew inside a Palace. He came near where the Princess was making cloth by Yongkham (A traditional machine to make clothes) and stood on top the leather (Shambal). Looking at the beautiful golden Parrot the Princess fell in love with it.

The Parrot came everyday near the Princess and once she said, "Hey Parrot! I am in love with you. Come and stand at my Yongkham. I'll catch and keep you in a golden cage and own you as mine." The Parrot replied to this, "Dear Princess! If you want to own me you have to promise that you will not sell me off or give me away." The Princess promised him and the Parrot flew and stood at her Yongkham. The Princess caught the Parrot and put him inside a golden cage. Just to look at the gorgeous golden Parrot people from far off visited the Palace.

The Minister's son also heard the news. He was furious; he thought it must be the real Prince who turned into a golden Parrot and was thinking how to get rid of the enemy. He wrote a letter to the King of the place where the Parrot was living, "I want to buy the Parrot how much you'll charge." The King informed his daughter about the letter. The Princess furiously replied a letter. After reading the letter the Minister's son wrote another letter, "If you refuse to give the Parrot to me then be prepared for a war."

The King, father of the Princess who was taking care of the Parrot was very old to fight against anyone. If they fight a war the King will die hence to save her father's live the Princess broke the promise made to the Parrot and gave it away to the Minister's son. The Minister's son carefully brought the Parrot to its Palace and he decided to kill it in front of all the people as a grand event. When the time came, the palace compound was gathered by huge number of crowd.

The Parrot would be taken out for a stroll round the Palace by the King, its Ministers and its slaves and after the stroll the Parrot would be slaughtered to death. Before its death the Parrot, when the King was on a stroll, was crying. Leima, watching the golden Parrot cry, wife of the Minister's son who was once the Prince's wife also started crying.

Looking at the Queen, Leima, the Parrot said, "Dear Leima, I am the real Prince-your dear husband. Once, while returning home after completion of education with my mate, the Minister's son in a Jungle we showed our talents to each other. While I was turning into a golden Parrot the greedy son of the Minister turned into a golden Deer and went inside my body which was lying on the ground and he turned into Prince and now living as a King. He is not the real Prince." Leima and the Parrot discussed what they are supposed to do in front of the people.

When the King returned at the Palace after its stroll, Leima as discussed earlier with the Parrot in front of many people looked at the King and said, "Dear mighty King, you had gone outside to study magical power for one complete year, what all did you learn? Please show us today what you have learnt in front of many people gathered here."

The King resisted for long but finally he had to show. In front of the huge crowd a clean sheet of cloth was laid on the floor. The King lied down on top of the sheet, chanted something on his palm and rubbed them on his face. Then a beautiful golden Deer jumped out the King's mouth and played on the ground. Looking at this wonderful trick of the King people applauded and praised him.

Meanwhile, as discussed earlier Leima opened the golden cage and the Parrot flew off the cage and went inside the body of the King which was lying on the ground. When the golden Deer tried to get inside the King's body he found the body was alive and the golden Deer ran into a Jungle.

The real son of the King told the truth to all the people gathered and he lived as a King of the place happily ever after.

"The End"

** From Manipur folk tale Book called "Fungawari Singbul" by B. Jayantakumar Sharma**.

Eta Thaomei

"Ita Thaomei"
- The Clever Old Woman -

A Popular Manipur Fungga wari (folk tale).............

Once upon a time, there lived an old widow in a village. She lived alone. She worked hard. She used to weave on the loom during daytime and spin at night. In addition to her hard work, she was wise and witty.

One dark night, a thief entered her house silently. The old widow was spinning by the fireside.

There was a thaomei burning nearby.

The thief hid himself in a dark corner. He was waiting for the old woman to fall asleep.

A little later the woman realized that there was someone hiding in the corner behind the thaomei. She was scared but she did not shout.

Instead, she pretended as if she were not aware of the presence of the thief.

She went on spinning.

Clever Old Woman spinning

But she thought of a plan to catch the thief.

Suddenly she called out, "Ita-thaomei! Ita-thaomei!".

Since there was no reply from the thaomei, she went on, "It is strange that you have not replied today. Everyday we talk to each other. What has happened today? Are you not responding because you are feeling sleepy? Or is there a stranger in the house tonight?"

The thief was surprised. The woman talked loudly, "Ita-thaomei, if you don't reply, it means that there is a stranger in the house." thief thought deeply, "A wonderful thing! A thaomei responding to a human call. Perhaps it is not responding tonight because of my presence. I cannot let the woman know of my presence. I will answer her call this time. She will think that every thing is all right."

Soon, the old woman called again, "Ita-thaomei, can you hear me?" The thief replied, "Yes Ita, I can hear you."

The widow felt quite certain now. She knew that she could catch the thief easily.

She asked, "Were you asleep a little while ago?" "Yes, I felt so sleepy; I slept for some time," replied the thief. The widow continued, "As usual, let me tell you a story. Listen to it carefully." "I am listening, please go on," replied the thief.

The old widow began her story:
"Once upon a time, there lived an old woman in a village. She lived alone. One night, while spinning, she fell asleep. In her dream, she saw a thief breaking into her house. Actually a thief had already broken into her house and was trying to steal the utensils in the house.

The old woman woke up and saw it. Immediately, she began to shout, "Thief, thief. There is 'a thief in my house."

The old widow actually kept shouting at the top of her voice. Finally, her neighbours woke up and rushed to her house. The old widow told them of the thief hiding in the corner. The thief who was listening to the story of the old woman was caught by the villagers.

Thus, her wit and wisdom saved her. The villagers thanked the clever widow. She helped them catch the thief so easily.

"The End"

The golden Deer and the golden Parrot

"The golden Deer and the golden Parrot"
---Sanagi Saji amadi Sanagi Tenawa---

A manipuri short Folk tale..............

A long time ago, a Prince and a Minister's son lived together at a palace. They shared a strong friendship. Once the Prince and the Minister's son had to leave the Palace for their education and the duo started walking. As they continued walking they came across a two sided turn of the road "let's part our ways from here; we'll meet here at the same point after one complete year of our education" and both departed from there. After completion of one year of education the Prince and the Minister's son met there at the same point.

While walking in the Jungle on their way back to the Palace the Minister's son said to the Prince, "Mate, it's the right time to show each other in the Jungle what we have learnt." Since both agreed on it the Minister's son displayed his magical power first. The Minister's son lied down on ground, chanted something on his palm and rubbed them on his face. Immediately a golden deer came out of his mouth and after playing for sometimes the deer went inside his mouth where it came out from.

As soon as the Minister's son finished showing his magical power the Prince started showing his talent. The Prince lied down on the ground, rubbed his face after chanting on his palm and a beautiful golden Parrot came out of his mouth and flew off to a branch. At this time the greedy son of Minister thought, "If I disguise to a golden deer and get inside his body I can become the Prince. And later on I'll become King and live happily ever after." Having this thought on mind the Minister's son disguised himself to a golden deer and disappeared inside the Prince's mouth. The Minister's son got up as the Prince and chopped off his own body into seven parts and burnt them with some dry woods.

Looking at the greedy Minister's son's activity the golden Parrot thought,"Eh! Mate, you are so awful. You set your own body on fire because you are jealous of me. Dismay! I have to spend the rest of my life as a wild bird!" With tears on his face the Parrot flew off in the empty sky.

When the Minister's son returned to the palace pretending as the Prince the Minister asked him, "Where is your mate?" "I and my mate parted our ways." Thus the Minister's son lived as the Prince and after the death of the old King the Minister's son became King of its place and lived happily.

On the other hand, the real prince who had transformed to a golden Parrot came across various places and apparently flew inside a Palace. He came near where the Princess was making cloth by Yongkham (A traditional machine to make clothes) and stood on top the leather (Shambal). Looking at the beautiful golden Parrot the Princess fell in love with it.

The Parrot came everyday near the Princess and once she said, "Hey Parrot! I am in love with you. Come and stand at my Yongkham. I'll catch and keep you in a golden cage and own you as mine." The Parrot replied to this, "Dear Princess! If you want to own me you have to promise that you will not sell me off or give me away." The Princess promised him and the Parrot flew and stood at her Yongkham. The Princess caught the Parrot and put him inside a golden cage. Just to look at the gorgeous golden Parrot people from far off visited the Palace.

The Minister's son also heard the news. He was furious; he thought it must be the real Prince who turned into a golden Parrot and was thinking how to get rid of the enemy. He wrote a letter to the King of the place where the Parrot was living, "I want to buy the Parrot how much you'll charge." The King informed his daughter about the letter. The Princess furiously replied a letter. After reading the letter the Minister's son wrote another letter, "If you refuse to give the Parrot to me then be prepared for a war."

The King, father of the Princess who was taking care of the Parrot was very old to fight against anyone. If they fight a war the King will die hence to save her father's live the Princess broke the promise made to the Parrot and gave it away to the Minister's son. The Minister's son carefully brought the Parrot to its Palace and he decided to kill it in front of all the people as a grand event. When the time came, the palace compound was gathered by huge number of crowd.

The Parrot would be taken out for a stroll round the Palace by the King, its Ministers and its slaves and after the stroll the Parrot would be slaughtered to death. Before its death the Parrot, when the King was on a stroll, was crying. Leima, watching the golden Parrot cry, wife of the Minister's son who was once the Prince's wife also started crying.

Looking at the Queen, Leima, the Parrot said, "Dear Leima, I am the real Prince-your dear husband. Once, while returning home after completion of education with my mate, the Minister's son in a Jungle we showed our talents to each other. While I was turning into a golden Parrot the greedy son of the Minister turned into a golden Deer and went inside my body which was lying on the ground and he turned into Prince and now living as a King. He is not the real Prince." Leima and the Parrot discussed what they are supposed to do in front of the people.

When the King returned at the Palace after its stroll, Leima as discussed earlier with the Parrot in front of many people looked at the King and said, "Dear mighty King, you had gone outside to study magical power for one complete year, what all did you learn? Please show us today what you have learnt in front of many people gathered here."

The King resisted for long but finally he had to show. In front of the huge crowd a clean sheet of cloth was laid on the floor. The King lied down on top of the sheet, chanted something on his palm and rubbed them on his face. Then a beautiful golden Deer jumped out the King's mouth and played on the ground. Looking at this wonderful trick of the King people applauded and praised him.

Meanwhile, as discussed earlier Leima opened the golden cage and the Parrot flew off the cage and went inside the body of the King which was lying on the ground. When the golden Deer tried to get inside the King's body he found the body was alive and the golden Deer ran into a Jungle.

The real son of the King told the truth to all the people gathered and he lived as a King of the place happily ever after.

** From Manipur folk tale Book called "Fungawari Singbul" by B. Jayantakumar Sharma

A Contest Of Wit

A Contest Of Wit
- A Manipur folk-tale -

..................Once, long ago, in a village there lived four friends named Chaoba, Chaobhal, Chaonu and Chaoton. They grew up together and loved one another very much.

One day, they were roaming about and reached a nearby village. There they happened to see a beautiful young girl who had come to the village pond to fetch water.

Each one of them was struck by the beauty of the girl. " I must marry her," each one of them thought without revealing what was going on in his mind to the other three.

The next day, each of them separately visited the girl's house and began to court her. As each one of them came to ttje House at different times, none of them knew what the others were doing.

The girl received and treated them equally. Things went on in this way for full three months. Then the girl began to think, These four young men are very close friends and they do not know that each of them is courting me.

A scene in the village

But one day they will know the truth and then they will be so angry with one another that they may become enemies . So it will be right for me to bring all of them together one day and reveal that all of them have been courting me. I shall then marry the one among them who will prove himself to be the most clever."

So, the clever girl made her plans.

Thus, when Chaoba came to see her, she said, "Dear brother, you have been courting me for three months. Things should not go on like this any longer. So, if you really love and wish to marry me, then please come here the next Monday at dusk and hide yourself behind the bamboo grove on the western side of my house. When my mother is asleep, I shall come out to the front courtyard and call you. Then you can come out of your hiding and I shall marry you."

She then said the same thing to the other three friends too, except that she told one of them to hide himself behind the bamboo grove on the south. To another she said that he should hide himself on the north, and to the fourth one she suggested that he should hide himself near the front gate.

And on the appointed day, as darkness descended Chaoba came to the bamboo grove on the western side and hid himself behind it. So did Chaobhal behind the bamboo grove on the southern side.

And Chaonu too hid himself behind the bamboo grove on the eastern side. Last of all came Chaoton, who hid himself behind a grove near the front gate.

And then as night advanced, the girl came out to the front courtyard and cried out loudly, "The time has come. I'm ready you can come out."

As soon as she uttered these words the four friends rushed out from their hiding places, and each one of them tried to grab the girl's hand. Just at that moment, the girl's mother with whom the girl had confided everything came out of her house.

In the light of the lamp that she had brought out the four friends saw and recognised each other. They realised what each one of them had been doing without the knowledge of the other three. They then began to laugh at one another's activity.

Chaoba then said, "Dear friends, this is a clever move by this girl. She has done it to make us know that each one of us has been courting her separately. So, instead of quarelling, we should find out a way to settle who among us should marry her."

The others agreed to this proposal. The girl then proposed that there should be a contest of wit among them. She said that each of them should tell a riddle and the one who could tell the cleverest riddle would marry her. The four young men readily agreed. They then invited some elderly neighbours to be the judges of the contest.

First of all, Chaoba began to tell his riddle. " Dear friends", he said, "my father once planted a mango tree. After the death of my father I wanted to make a boat and so I cut down the mango tree. You know it took me one whole month to cut down the tree. Then I thought the tree was too long for the boat and I decided to cut off the top-end of the tree. And so one day, after an early meal, I began to walk towards the top-end of the tree. But, the tree was so long that by the time I reached half of its whole length it was already sunset. So I had to spend the night by the tree trunk. The next day I reached the top-end of the tree, but again it was already dark. So I could cut the top-end only the next day. You see it took me a one and a half month to complete the work, beginning iiom the cutting down of the tree to the cutting off of the top-end. Now friends,it is for you to decide how long and how big the mango tree was."

The three friends were baffled. "It is indeed a huge tree, and we have never seen one so big," they all agreed.

Chaobhal then began his riddle. "My father had a buffalo. It had horns set wide apart as much as they were long. One day a crane flew from the tip of the right horn to reach the tip of the left horn . The crane started early in the morning but by the time it was dark the bird had reached only the first half of the distance. It had to spend the night on the head of the buffalo. The next day, the crane started early in the morning and again, by the time it reached the left horn, it was already dark. Now my dear friends, it is for you to determine how far one tip of the horn was from the other.

The three friends agreed, " Yes, the buffalo must indeed be very huge."

It was now Chaonu's turn to tell his riddle. After pondering awhile he began, " My father built a house having twelve rooms for me. One day I took a broom and began to sweep the floor starting from the front porch, right from the early morning. But by the time night came, I had reached only the middle part of the house. So I had to spend the night there and it took me the whole next day to complete sweeping the floors. Now, it is for you, friends, to determine the length, the breadth and the height of the house that my father built for me."

The other three friends agreed that it was really a big house.

It was now Chaoton's turn to tell his riddle. But no idea came to his mind immedialtely. He remained silent for a few minutes. Everyone began to think that he was not clever enough to tell a riddle. The girl, who was actually in love with him, and who very much wanted him to win the contest, became a little disappointed.

Some moments passed in this way.

Then an idea struck Chaoton and he began thus: "Like the father of each one of you, who left things for you, my father too left a drum for me. It was so big that one day I beat it on its left side and moved to beat the right side. But it was already night by the time I reached the middle of the drum's length. So I spent the night there itself and started for the other side on the following day. Of course I reached the right side only when it was dark. Now, friends, it is for you to determine the size of the drum that my father left for me."

The three friends winked at one another thinking that it was, compared to their own, not a clever riddle.

So Chaoba questioned him, "Where did your father get the trunk of the tree to make a drum that big?"

And Chaoton answered very confidently, "Well, you see, my father used the trunk of the mango tree that your father had planted. For the leather work my father used the hide of the buffalo that my friend Chaobhal's father owned. It took one whole year to make the drum."

But then Chaonu said, "The drum could not have been left in the open. Where was it kept?"

"Well, the village people kindly dragged it into the house which was built by your father, replied Chaoton with a hearty laughter.

The village elders now began to consider which riddle was the cleverest one. And finally, they all agreed that Chaoton's riddle was the best one and the girl was very glad at the result of the contest of wit.

Then the happy villagers arranged the marriage ceremony even at that hour. The girl's mother, being a widow and having no one to live with her, Chaoton and his wife lived with her, happily ever after.

"The End"

KOUPALU / KOUBRU

AWANG KOUPALU ASSUPA
LEIMA- LAI KHUNTA AHANPA
NONGTHREI (NONGTHAKLEI) MAU-U LINGLIBA
ERIK MAPAL THALIPA
LAININGTHOUPU HANNA HANNA PUNEMCHALI"

THE OMNIPRESENT MIGHTY FATHER IN KOUPALU
WHERE MEETEI MEN (LAI) AND WOMEN (LEIMA) INHABITED FIRST AS
NONGTHAKLEI - FLOWER OF HEAVEN WHICH SYMBOLISES LIFE BEING GIFTED BY SALAILEL SITAPA AND PLANTED IN HUMAN BODY IN KOUPALU RANGES.

Meitei Chak-How

"Meitei Chak-How"

........or Sticky Brown Rice a unique varities

This is an interesting food item or the colourful and unique rice of Manipur which is locally known as "Chak-How" or in english we called it Sticky Brown Rice.
Manipuri people love to eat this particular rice in the special ocassion like marriage party as a sweet dish or in the big feast or in the family gathering.
This rice has it's on speciality because of its unique colour, smell as well as in taste.And another interesting part is that it is very difficult to find anywhere in India except Manipur.

Source: fb Kangkeipak Ima Manipur

Chenghi

"CHENGHI"

A traditional shampoo use by manipur people.

CHENGHI : Thainadagi houna meetei nupishingna erujaba kok tumbada shijinarakpa...houjikki matamdadi peisha tinghanduna shampoonachingbana mahut shinarakle....

CHENGHI GI MACHAL: Cheng chambagi mahi,
Mana masing happa yabasingna : khongjai napi,laibakngou,shambrei mana,torongkhongchak, champra,yensin, heibimana,lalukok,charot mara.
Takhelei mana,
Manam nungsinaba : Nobab mana kokta ee haigatanaba. Lalukok yaa chikpada thombasu fei......

Source Kangkeipak Ima Manipur

MONDUM CHING

"MONDUM CHING"

Tokpaching MONDUM haina khangnaba ching aduda LEINUNG MOREE yotsung Thangsaba kouba amaga Moirangda Haoba Kouba Amaga Matao sannarmE. Thangsaba Moree yumlep tamdari, Moirang Haobagi Taloi Huitong Taothong Taibi kouE, mapuroibabu Laigumna ningbi, ningthijabi Lamchat chumbi nupi amani.

Nongmagi korou amada Haoba masa Engam ngamde haiduna magi taloi Taothong Taibibu Thangsaba Moree gi mafmda chattuna Thang sanaba yot khara lourucho haiduna tharmE. Mapuroibagi Yathang tungEnna Taothong Taibi Mondum ching Tamna mabung saklaba mapuroibagi matao Leinung Moree thangsabagi manakta lakkhi. Machan mabung wari sannaraduna Thang sanaba yot louba lakpagi wari pumba sannare.

Wari pumba tarabagi tungda Yot adu hujikmakkidi leitare, horen Yotchak pekfmdagi pekluraga ngasi ahing chuppa Ebungna sungdoklaga semdok sadok touraga pirage, nahaksu ngasi ahingsima Ebunggida Lekkharo hairmE. Taothong Taibi mapuroiba yaodana mapuroibagi Yathang fangdana meegi yumda lek chaduna leiba pamlamde, aduna hujik yot leitre hairabanina Hayeng amuk lakcharage hairmE. Adubu Leinung Moree bana yamandabadagi Taothong Taibi mapuroibagi yathang yaodana Meegi yumda lekpa takhi.

Adubu mapuroiba ningbi Taothong Taibina mapuroibana mahakki khonggul liraknaba Moreebagi yumda leihouri haiba khangnaba Haiduna Amuba KUMLANG mahi yaoba Utong macha fijidagi louthoktuna, manak aduwaida leirmba Kwak amada Utong asi mahakki mapuroibada amukta pirunaba haijakhi. Kwak adunasu Taothong Taigi pakhon adu haraona yarmE, amadi machinna utong adu chiklaga Moirang Maikei Tamna paikhi.

Kwak aduna Utong asigi manungda kari yaoribage, yengningmankhraduna Ethai chingjil yourakpada Kongkut macha amada Heidoktunna yenglamE. Ningthijana muna Langlaba kumlang mahi adu pammankhraduna leionduna sannadana leikhi, pakhon lakpani haiba kaokhare.

Utong aduna Haobagi mafmda Youdrabanina Khonggul liraktare. Ahing tanglou thengjillakla faoba khonggul liraktraba, Kwak adunasu pao halladraba adudadi, Taothong Taibi Mabunggi sangaida kuina Leiba ngamLaktare. Mabung Moreebana Tungkhul tallingei, chatge taklamdana Mapuroibagi manak younaba chellakle. Mathamoida yamna saona Kwak adubu cheikhi, Meechei piduna haikhi, Taothong Taibi Eihakna Epuroibagi Yathang yaodana meegi masaigolda lekningdabagi, epuroibana Eigi khonggul liraknaba paojelbu Kwak nahakna paosu hanbirade, epuroibanasu khonggul lirade, asigi maram Eigi pakhonbu thouOibidabagini, Eina lanjadabamakta oirabadi, eina pikhiba Amuba Kumlang mahiduna sokluba thenglubada amuk hanna koktana chuba Oiyuko.

>>Hairiba wari asida yaoriba Leinung Moree Thangsabana thang surmba mafm khubm aduni hujik Mondum mahaDev hainariba asi. Mondumgi akoibada khundariba Wari wakhong khangba MeeOi kharanadi khangli MOREE bagi khubmni haibasi.

Injustice Decisions over A Player of North East

The judges biased decision to hand out defeat to Sarita Devi was shocking. BUT THE SUPPORT SHE RECEIVED FROM INDIAN OFFICIALS WAS ABSOLUTELY VERY SHAMEFUL...

Sarita Devi was beaten by South Korean Jina Park in controversially circumstances in the semi-final of the lightweight category at the Asian Games. The Indian boxer was appeared to be the clear winner of the bout but somehow the judges ruled the decision against her.

However, Devi had the opportunity to appeal the decision. Every protest has to be filed within 30 minutes of the bout. The lack of support offered by the Indian officials was astounding. The $500 fee required for the protest was not offered to be paid by the officials. Devi herself had to muster up the cash, but unfortunately she fell $100 short. One of the many crowd supporters who believed that the result was unfair, took the initiative to help the Indian out.

“These same officials vanished in thin air. I looked all around for someone who could give me $100 so that I could lodge a protest. I had $400 on me and was falling short by another $100 to register my protest. Someone in the crowd came forward and helped me,” Devi said.

“It’s another thing that my complaint was not entertained by the AIBA observer here, but I am bitter about the fact that for half-an-hour no one came to my rescue. Why do we have all these coaches and officials when no one comes to our rescue? The Mongolians made a big issue when their boxer lost to a Korean, but here I was left to fend for myself,” a frustrated Devi said.

Her fingers were rightly pointed at the Indian Boxing Federation for completely ignoring the boxer at a time of need.

“Dissolve the federation. The worst would be that we won’t be able to compete in international events. But, then, who wants to compete in the ring with such biased judges sitting on the sidelines who have been bribed,” she said.

Her disappointed was aimed at the officials who were only interesting in celebrating the victories, and not supporting all the athletes.

“Where were these officials who are coming to congratulate Mary yesterday when I was looking for support. In the end none came. They watched me being humiliated from the VIP stands,” she said.

The 29-year-old boxer refused her medal during the ceremony and could be suspended from boxing. But she returns to India with a clear conscience and hopefully can achieve new heights in the future. “I have given the medal to Korea. I will go back to India with a clear mind and begin life in the ring afresh,” she said.

Source: Sportskeeda