Kao is a legendary bull in Meitei mythology and folklore of Ancient Moirang.

Etymology 
In Meitei (Manipuri), the word "Kao" has many meanings. It may mean (1) to forget, (2) a sacrifice bull or (3) to kick. Here, it means bull. As a noun, it means a stray and freed bull. In verbal form, it means to offer a bull as a living sacrifice to God. People also say "Kaoren" or "Kaorel" to talk about the bull. "Kaoren" is made up of two parts, "Kao" and "-ren". "-ren" refers to excellence. So, "Kaoren" or "Kaorel" means "an extraordinary bull", "a powerful bull", "a super bull" or "a supernatural bull".

Mythology

The false Oracle 
Once Angom Nongban Kongyamba met fisher women from the Khuman kingdom in a place called Moirang. Both the Khuman kingdom and the Moirang kingdom were on the shores of the Loktak lake.
The women came to Moirang besides having their own fishing area. So, Kongyamba asked them the reason for coming to Moirang.   
The women said, 
"There is a great bull that lurks among the reeds of the shores of the lake, and it had claimed life of many. So, we dare not to fish there."  
Suddenly, an idea came to Kongyamba's mind. He went to the king. He acted as a person possessed by a divine spirit. Kongyamba told the King,
"God Thangjing had spoken in my ears and I have his behest upon me. Verily said the God, I am sated with offerings of flesh and fish, but this year, my heart longs for the sweet savour of the flesh of the mighty bull that lurks in the reeds that border the water of the lake. My servant Khamba vows that he will bring it for my honor and for the welfare of the State."
The king called and asked Khamba about his promise. Khamba denied it. There resulted a great conflict between Khamba and Kongyamba. Later, Khamba told the king he would catch the bull if it was the God’s will. 
The king was happy with Khamba. So, he promised him he could marry Princess Thoibi if he succeeded in the adventure. Minister Thonglen put seven marks on the lintel post of the capital city. It was the record of the King’s promise.

Embassy to Khuman kingdom 
The king of Moirang sent an embassy to the king of Khuman. The embassy proposed to organize the great sport of capturing the wild bull. The Khuman king agreed. A grand Colosseum was built for the event. The Colosseum could hold a capacity of the audiences from both the two kingdoms.

Capture by Khamba 

Khamnu revealed a secrecy to Khamba. She said, 
"This great bull was once the Lord of your father's herd. Go to him, speak your father's name in his ear, and show him this Rope of silk."
 
On the day of the adventure, Khamba stand face to face with the bull. The bull charged towards him. Khamba bent a little aside. The audiences asked him if he got afraid. Khamba replied that he was waiting for a good position. Then, he stood on firm ground and caught the bull. The mighty bull carried him away into the thick woods.
Khamba did everything as his sister instructed him. Immediately, the wild bull got tamed. Khamba brought the bull back.
 
On the way back, Kongyamba came to him before anyone saw them. Kongyamba pretended to help Khamba to hold the bull. Kongyamba hold the rope. When everyone saw, Kongyamba claimed that he had captured the bull. He added that he even rescued Khamba who fell into the ditch. Once again, there was a great conflict between Khamba and Kongyamba over the claim. The two Kings could not find out who was right. So, Kongyamba was asked to fight the bull within an enclosure. But Kongyamba got frightened of the bull. So, he climbed up on the heights to save himself. Khamba faced the bull bravely. He once again captured the bull.

In popular culture 
In popular culture, Kao appears in arts, books, movies, theatres and many others.

Painting

Khambana Kao Phaba 
In 2001, Khambana Kao Phaba (painting) was kept in the permanent collection of the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) Museum, Bhopal, India.
In July 2019, the painting was selected as the "Exhibit of the Month" in the same museum.

Theatre

Kao, the sacred bull 
In 2011, "Kao, the sacred bull" was produced by the Laihui Ensemble. This theatrical show was based on the story of the bull Kao. According to the story, an Oracle said that the King of Moirang will soon die and his people will lead miserable life. The only solution told was to offer the powerful bull roaming in the Khuman kingdom to God Thangjing. Orphan Khuman Khamba was chosen to capture the bull. He was known for his bravery and goodness. To capture the bull with no harm to it was not easy. Khamba's motherly sister Khamnu disclosed to him the secrecy of the bull. The bull was once domesticated and treated as a family member during the good days of their parents.

Kao Faba 
In 2020, a Shumang Kumhei named "Kao Faba" was produced by Western Cultural Association in Manipur. It was sponsored by the Sangeet Natak Akedemi of New Delhi, India. The play was released in the Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen, Palace Compound, Imphal.
The play is based on the legend of capturing the bull in Ancient Moirang.

Related pages 
 Minotaur
 Taurus

References

Other websites 
 Khamba Thoibi by Loitongbam Kalachand
 Khamba Thoibi Sheireng by Anganghal Singh, Hijam
 Khamba Thoibi And Poems On Manipur by Raina, Vimala
 Khamba Thoibi Seireng	by Hijam Anganghal
 Khamnu	by Biramangal
 Ewanglon Thadoi by Ruhinikumar, Sougaijam
 Khuman Khamba by Pramodini
Meitei folklore
Meitei mythology