Khamba and Thoibi
The ancient legend of Khamba and Thoibi (Meitei: Khamba Thoibi) is a classic, as well as one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Ancient Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). It is referred to as the "National Romantic Legend of Manipur" by Padma Vibhushan awardee Indian scholar Suniti Kumar Chatterjee.
| The legend of Khamba and Thoibi (Meitei: Khamba Thoibi) National Romantic Legend of Manipur | |
|---|---|
Khamba and Thoibi (The Capture of the Wild Bull) | |
| Folk tale | |
| Name | The legend of Khamba and Thoibi (Meitei: Khamba Thoibi) National Romantic Legend of Manipur |
| Also known as | Khampa Thoipi |
| Aarne–Thompson grouping | no |
| Mythology | Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) |
| Country | Ancient Kangleipak (historical) India (present) |
| Region | Ancient Moirang, Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) |
| Origin Date | 11th-12th century CE |
| Published in | Khamba Thoibi Sheireng and many others |
| Related | Meitei folklore (Manipuri folklore), Meitei literature (Manipuri literature) |
Among the countless retelling editions of the epic story, the "Khamba Thoibi Sheireng" (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯁꯩꯔꯦꯡ, lit. 'Poem on Khamba Thoibi'), a Meitei language epic poem, containing 39,000 lines, that is considered as the national epic of the Manipuris, is the magnum opus of its author Hijam Anganghal, the "Bard of Samurou".
The classic tale of Khamba and Thoibi became an Assamese classic as well, after being translated into Assamese language as "Khamba Thoibir Sadhukatha", by Assamese author and anthropologist Rajanikanta Bordoloi (1869-1939).