Khunu Leima

Khunu Leima (/khoo-noo lei-ma) or Khunureima (/khoo-noo-rei-ma) is the goddess of pigeons and doves in Meitei mythology and religion. She is a sister of goddesses Nganu Leima and Shapi Leima. Legend says that all three sisters married the same mortal man.[1][2][3][4][5]

Not to be confused with Khunu Lama Tenzin Gyaltsen.
Khunu Leima
Goddess of pigeons and doves
Member of Lairembis
Depiction of Khunu Leima
Other names
  • Khunuleima
  • Khunureima
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Animalspigeons and doves
Symbolspigeons and doves
GenderFemale
RegionManipur, Northeast India
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Personal information
ParentsSalailen (Soraren)
SiblingsNganu Leima and Shapi Leima
Term
EnglishKhunu Leima
Ancient Meiteiꯈꯨꯅꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ
(khoo-noo lei-ma)
Modern Meiteiꯈꯨꯅꯨꯔꯩꯃ
(khoo-noo-rei-ma)
Assameseখুনু লৈমা / খুনুৰৈমা
(khoo-noo lei-ma / khoo-noo-rei-ma)
Bengaliখুনু লৈমা / খুনুরৈমা
(khoo-noo lei-ma / khoo-noo-rei-ma)
Hindiखूनू लैमा
(khoo-noo lei-ma)
Sanamahism
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Etymology

The Meitei female given name "Khunu Leima" (ꯈꯨꯅꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ) is made up of two component words, "Khunu" (ꯈꯨꯅꯨ) and "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ). In Meitei, "Khunu" (ꯈꯨꯅꯨ) means pigeon.[6] The word "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ) is further made up of two component words, "Lei" (ꯂꯩ) and "Ma" (ꯃ). "Lei" (ꯂꯩ) means land or earth. "Ma" (ꯃ) means "mother". Literally, "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ) can be translated as "Land Mother" or "Mother Earth". But in general context, "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ) means a queen or a mistress or a lady.[7]

Description

Khunu Leima is described as the ruler of all pigeons. At any time, she could summon all pigeons to any place she wishes. She is one of the daughters of the sky god Salailen (Soraren).[2][8]

See also

References
  1. Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
  2. Manipuri Phungawari (in Manipuri). 2014. p. 202 – via archive.org.
  3. Eben Mayogee Leipareng (in Manipuri). 1995. p. 107 – via archive.org.
  4. Tal Taret (in Manipuri). 2006. p. 43 – via archive.org.
  5. Regunathan, Sudhamahi (2005). Folk Tales of the North-East. Children's Book Trust. ISBN 978-81-7011-967-8.
  6. "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Khunu". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  7. "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Leima". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  8. Tal Taret (in Manipuri). 2006. p. 46 – via archive.org.

Bibliography
  • Glimpses of Manipuri Culture - Dr. Yumlembam Gopi Devi
  • The History of Manipur: An early period - Wahengbam Ibohal Singh · 1986
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