Yaithing Konu
Yaithing Konu (ꯌꯥꯏꯊꯤꯡ ꯀꯣꯅꯨ), also spelled Yaithing Konnu (ꯌꯥꯏꯊꯤꯡ ꯀꯣꯟꯅꯨ), is a central female figure in the love story of Moirang Kangleirol, a traditional narrative from the ancient kingdom of Moirang, in present-day Manipur. She is known for her tragic romance with Khuyol Haoba and her forced marriage to Kaoba Hingamba, the Khuman warrior.[1] According to the old Meitei chronicle text Khuman Kangleiron, she became the queen of the Khuman kingdom by marriage to Kaoba (also known as Kaopa), who was the king of that realm.[2][3][4][5]
Background
Yaithing Konu was the daughter of Luwang Huiningsumba, a powerful nobleman of the Luwang clan in the Moirang kingdom. She was admired for her beauty, grace, and intelligence. Her social status and lineage placed her among the highest-ranking women of her time.[1][6]
Meeting Khuyol Haoba
Yaithing Konu met Khuyol Haoba, the orphaned son of a former royal official, during a festive event on Loktak Lake. On that day, all young women of Moirang were fishing as part of a ritual celebration, and men were not allowed to enter the water. When Konu's fishing net broke, Haoba happened to be nearby and helped her. They fell in love at first sight.[1][6]
Their secret love grew stronger over time, even as Haoba lived in hiding to escape a planned human sacrifice falsely justified by a nobleman’s scheme.[1][6]
Forced marriage to Kaoba
The turning point in Konu’s life came during a royal hunting expedition. Her father, Huiningsumba, accidentally caused a forest fire that spread to the Khuman region, destroying the home and barn of Kaoba Hingamba, a Khuman warrior. In retaliation, Kaoba captured Huiningsumba and his men.[1][6]
To save their lives, Huiningsumba was forced to offer his daughter, Yaithing Konu, as ransom. The Moirang court agreed, and a grand marriage ceremony was held. Konu was sent to Kaoba’s household, even though she was already three months pregnant with Khuyol Haoba’s child.[1][6]
According to the Khuman Kangleiron, an old Meitei text, Kaoba (also referred to as Kaopa) was a king of the Khuman kingdom, and by this marriage, Yaithing Konu became queen of the Khuman people.[2][3][4][5]
Secret reunions and exile
Despite her new status, Yaithing Konu remained emotionally devoted to Haoba. Haoba disguised himself as a hill-man to visit her in secret. Eventually, Kaoba discovered these visits. In anger, he drove Konu out of his house. After her exile, she was reunited with Haoba, and the lovers were finally together again.[1][6]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 65–66. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Khelchandra Singh, Ningthoukhongjam (1980). Khuman Kangleirol (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.CS1 maint: Date and year (link) Search this book on
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Kullachandra Sharma, B (1998). Khuman Ningthouron Lambuba (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.CS1 maint: Date and year (link) Search this book on
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ibobi, Laikhuram (1998). Khuman Kangleiron Amasung Laikhuram Shageigee Meihouron (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.CS1 maint: Date and year (link) Search this book on
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kullachandra, B. (1989-03-15). Khumal Ningthourol Lambuba (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.CS1 maint: Date and year (link) Search this book on
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Bormani, Sarangthem (2003). Moirang Shaion (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). Manipur University Library, Imphal; North Eastern States Libraries. India: Digital Library of India; Internet Archive.CS1 maint: Date and year (link) Search this book on
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