Phouoibi
Phouoibi (Fouoibi) or Phouoipi (Fouoipi) or Phouleima (Fouleima) or Phoureima (Foureima) is the goddess and the female personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvest, paddy, rice and wealth in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). She is the lover of Akongjamba, a hero in ancient legends. But fate does not permit the lovers to unite. So, Phouoibi and Akongjamba reincarnated in the legends. She was sent by Thangching (Thangjing) to Kege Moirang (Keke Moilang) kingdom to prosper the human world. The legends of her love with Akongjamba were believed to be enacted by Thangching (Thangjing) as a part of the Epic cycles of incarnations (Moirang Saiyon) of the Moirang Kangleirol legends.
| Phouoibi | |
|---|---|
Goddess of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, paddy, rice and wealth | |
| Member of Lairembis | |
| Other names | Fouoibi, Fouoipi, Fouleima, Foureima, Phouoipi, Phouleima, Phoureima |
| Affiliation | Epic cycles of incarnations, Meitei mythology and Sanamahism |
| Abodes | Farms and Fields |
| Artifacts | Round black stone kept inside a pot |
| Symbol | Paddy |
| Texts | Phouoibi Warol |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) |
| Ethnic group | Meitei ethnicity |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Personal information | |
| Parents |
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| Siblings | Thumleima, Ngaleima and Ereima (Ireima) |
| Consort | Phou Ningthou |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek equivalent | Demeter |
| Roman equivalent | Ceres |
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| Sanamahism |
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| List of figures in Meitei mythology |
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| Lai Halaopa and its holy dances |
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Phouoibi is a spirit of the rice. So, she is not a member of the Umang Lais.
The characters of Phouoibi and other goddesses, including Panthoibi and Emoinu, depict, as well as influence, the boldness, courage, independence, righteousness and social honour of Meitei women. The Meitei people believe that the gleaming black stone is a personification of the goddess, which if kept inside the earthenware pot of the granary, will bring good luck and prosperity, as long as it shines.