Khamnu

Khamnu (/kʰəm.nu/) is the daughter of prime minister Khuman Puremba of Ancient Moirang. Biologically, she is a daughter of King Chingkhu Telheiba of Ancient Moirang. She is the elder sister of Khuman Khamba. She is best known for bringing up her younger brother. The two siblings became orphans during their infancy. She feared of being conspired by others. So, she fled with her younger brother from her hometown. They took asylum in the village of the Kabui chief in the hills.

Khamnu and her younger brother Khamba were given fatherly care by General Thonglen and Nobleman Chaoba Nongthonba before and after their stay at the Kabui village in the hills. 

Khamnu took all the burdens to bring up her younger brother. So, she is often compared to Kunti of the Mahabharata.

Early life 
After the death of her parents, life became miserable for Khamnu and her infant brother Khuman Khamba. Khamnu went from place to place to get helps as well as works in Moirang. She husked paddy for some people. In repay of her work, the women breastfed to infant Khamba. Like this, she did service as well as got help wherever she went. Time went on. The two siblings got full grown up. To earn living, Khamnu sold woods in a market of Moirang. One day, Princess Thoibi visited the marketplace. She noticed Khamnu, a strange new face. She asked Khamnu many things. She even gifted Khamnu foods and jewelry. Khamnu and Thoibi met once more. Thoibi asked Khamnu to accompany her in fishing in the Loktak lake. So, Khamnu accompanied the princess in sporting on the lake.

Once Princess Thoibi visited Khamnu's house. Meanwhile, Khamnu went out to the market to bring some fruits. At Khamnu's absence, Thoibi presented Khamba gifts. The two bound themselves by an oath before the God Khuman Pokpa. They drank the water in which the golden bracelet was dipped. They vowed to be lovers forever. After this oath, Thoibi addresed Khamnu as "sister".

Exposition of hidden identity 
Khamnu's younger brother, Khamba went out among the menfolk to join the wrestling club. While wrestling, Khamba defeated Nongban. Nongban was the champion of everyone in the kingdom. At Nongban's defeat, Khamba's long hidden identity was known to everyone. He is the son of great warrior Khuman Purenba. 
At this, Minister Nongthonba remembered the marriage engagement between Feiroijamba, his first born son and Khamnu. They went to Khamnu. Khamnu hid herself in the women’s chamber. They wept and lamented. At this, Khamnu came out. She received the gifts from them. From this time onwards, Khamnu and her brother Khamba were always supported by Minister Nongthonba, Minister Thonglen and Feiroijamba in every way of life.

Secrecy of the feral bull 
Khamnu's younger brother Khuman Khamba was ordered to capture the Kao (bull) from the Khuman kingdom. At this, Khamnu revealed a secrecy of the Kao (bull) to Khamba. She said, 
<poem>"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."</poem>
On the day of the adventure, Khamba did everything as his sister instructed him. Immediately, the wild bull got tamed.

Marriage 
Khamnu and Feiroijamba got married after the wedding of Khuman Khamba and Moirang Thoibi.  Her marriage engagement was set by Nongtholba and late Purenba long time back.

Namesakes

Market 
Khamnu Keithel (literally, "Khamnu market") was constructed at INR 9 crore (1.2 million US Dollar) under the project of Planning and Development Authority (PDA) in Moirang.

References

Other websites 

 Khamnu_archive.org
 Khamnu_e-pao.net
Meitei folklore
Meitei literature