Meitei Folklore as a Mirror of Ecological Consciousness: Exploring ‘There Came Tapta’, ‘Keibu Keioiba’, and ‘The Bird Langmeiton’
| Author |
| Wairokpam Yaiphaba Chenglei |
| Date of Publication: December, 2024 |
| Volume: XXIII, No.- XXVI |
| Abstract |
| Manipur, a state in northeastern India, is home to the Meitei people, who belong to the Tibeto Burman race. Before the emergence of Gaudiya Vaisnavism in the 1470s (during King Kiyamba’s reign), the community’s religion was Sanamahism. They worshipped Lainingthou Sanamahi (mankind’s protector and guardian God), Kuru (Creator of the Universe), Pakhangba (ruler of the universe and destroyer of evil), Leimarel Sidabi (earth Goddess), Imoinu (Goddess of Wealth), and the Umang Lai (a group of forest deities believed to protect specific areas).The society and culture of the Meitei people are reflected in their folklores, which have been orally transmitted since ancient times. Meitei folklore has been preserved in the form of “phunga wari” which translates as “story of kitchen fireplace”. “Phunga wari” is usually narrated near a fireplace in the kitchen of a Meitei household by an elderly person in the family to the younger ones, imparting moral lessons. The stories reflect the Meiteis’ deep-seated connection with nature, values of sustainability, environmental ethics, and respect for the natural world. This paper examines Meitei folklore from an ecocritical perspective, exploring ecological consciousness in selected folklores: “There Came Tapta”, “Keibu Keioiba” and “The Bird Langmeiton” translated into English by Dr. Kh. Kunjo Singh. |
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