Kanglei mythology

Kanglei mythology or Manipuri mythology or Meitei mythology are the body of narrative myths, originally told by the Meitei people and a genre of Ancient Meitei folklore. Kanglei mythology forms one of the main characteristics of the art and culture of Manipur including Meitei literature.

The Ancient Flag of Kangleipak, depicting Dragon Lord Pakhangba
Kangla Sha, the dragons at Kangla Fort, Manipur, India

Source texts
Main article: PuYa
A Manipuri manuscript on account of the mythological origin of the human beings

There are sources from both the manuscript as well as oral folklore in ancient kingdom of Kangleipak (present day Manipur). The so-called manuscripts are known as Puya (Meitei texts), which are the original accounts on the religious themes as well as historical events of the Meitei literature. Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya and Numit Kappa the most prestigious Puya (Meitei texts) in the Kanglei mythology.

Deities
Main articles: Lists of deities in Sanamahism, Lists of creatures in Meitei folklore, Sanamahi creation myth, and Incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi

The Kanglei deities, are always associated with the Kanglei religion of Sanamahism, which has been in existence since ancient times in the Kanglei World. The traditional culture and folklore is inherited by the Meitei people from their primitive ancestors till present.

The symbol of Sanamahism

The primary deities in the mythology are:

In addition to the deities, the mythology also accounts for the vast numbers of mythical creatures. The Kanglei creatures are found in the vast narratives of both the Kanglei Manuscripts as well as oral folklore.

Origin of human beings
Main article: History of Manipur

According to the Kanglei mythology, it was Lord Pakhangba, the Great Dragon Lord, who gave birth to the seven clans of the Kanglei realm. The seven clans are

  1. Mangang
  2. Luwang
  3. Khuman
  4. Angom
  5. Moilang
  6. Kha Nganpa
  7. Salai Leishangthem

Seven incarnations of Moirang

The legendary epic tales of the seven incarnations of Lord Nongpok Ningthou and his consort Goddess Panthoibi, in the ancient kingdom of Moirang, are the main features of the Kanglei mythology, with Khamba Thoibi incarnation, being the last and most significant one. The very incarnations of the Lord and the Lady respectively are as follows:

Characters

Here is a list of characters associated with the Kanglei mythology in alphabetical order:

A

C

D

I

K

L

M
  • Meitei Manipuri Gods and Goddesses

P

N

U

W

See also

References
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