Incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi

Leimarel Sidabi () is the highest ranked mother goddess in Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism). She is known for having many incarnations as divine ladies. Each of her incarnations are for the welfare of the mankind. For this reason, she is known as _Langon Yambi Ima_ (, lit. _The Divine Mother who incarnates herself in many divine forms_).

Among her incarnations, the personalities of Emoinu, Panthoibi and Phouoibi depict as well as influence the boldness, courage, independence, goodness and social honour of Meitei women.

The connection of the highest female form with the basic needs of life shows the importance of women in Meitei society.

### Imoinu

_Imoinu_ or _Emoinu_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi.
Supreme God Sidaba () asked His wife, Leimarel Sidabi () to create another Leimarel. Leimarel Sidabi is the first woman. The second Leimarel will be the second woman. She is to take care of the mankind on the planet earth. Goddess Leimarel Sidabi created the second Leimarel. The appearances of the first and the second Leimarels were similar. The first Leimarel named the second one as _Emoinu Ahongbi_.

### Ireima

_Ireima_ (, _Ereima_) alias _Irai Leima_ (, _Erai Leima_) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. She is the goddess of water.

### Lān Leima

_Lān Leima_ (, _Laan Leima_) or _Lāl Leima_ (, _Laal Leima_) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. Leimalel becomes Lān Leima when she is in the battlefield. Lān Leima is the goddess of war.

### Leinaotabi

_Leinaotabi_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. She was the youngest wife of God Thongalel. Later, she was married to Poireiton.

### Lul Leima

_Lul Leima_ () (also pronounced as _Lal Leima_) is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. She is the goddess of wealth.

### Ngaleima

_Ngaleima_ () alias _Ngareima_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. Leimalel becomes Ngaleima when she is in the fish yard. Ngaleima is the goddess of fish.

### Nongthang Leima

_Nongthang Leima_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. She is the goddess of charm, thunder and lightning.

### Panthoibi

_Panthoibi_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. She is the goddess of civilization, fertility, love, warfare and wisdom.

### Phouleima

_Phouleima_ () alias _Phouoibi_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. Leimalel becomes Phouoibi when she is in the granaries or the barns. Phouoibi is the goddess of agricultural crops and harvest.

### Shil Leima

_Shil Leima_ () alias _Shin Leima_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. Leimalel becomes Shil Leima when she is in factories. Shil Leima is the goddess of crafts.

### Thoibi

_Moirang Thoibi_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. She is a princess of Ancient Moirang kingdom. She is also one of the important characters in the Moirang Shayon and the Moirang Kangleirol.

### Thumleima

_Thumleima_ () is an incarnation of Leimarel Sidabi. Leimalel becomes Thumleima when she is in the salt mines. Thumleima is the goddess of salt.

### 7 Divine Ladies

Leimalel also incarnates herself as the seven divine ladies. The seven divine ladies are Heepokpi (), Yaipokpi (), Heeleima (), Yaileima (), Heekubi (), Yaikubi () and Yaisna ().

### Goddesses of the 7 clans

The seven goddesses of the seven clans () are the incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi.
|Goddesses|Latin transliterations (Romanization)|Associated clans/dynasties|Latin transliterations (Romanization)|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|ꯂꯩꯀꯛꯕꯤꯌꯥꯔꯦꯜ|Leikakbiyarel|ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧꯖꯥ|Ningthouja|
|ꯂꯥꯢꯕꯤ ꯑꯍꯨꯝꯅꯨ|Laibi Ahumnoo|ꯑꯉꯣꯝ|Angom|
|ꯊꯥꯡꯋꯣꯢꯕꯤ|Thangwoibee|ꯂꯨꯋꯥꯡ|Luwang|
|ꯃꯥꯟꯋꯣꯢꯕꯤ|Manwoibi|ꯈꯨꯃꯟ|Khuman|
|ꯆꯤꯠꯅꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ|Chitnu Leima|ꯃꯣꯢꯔꯥꯡ|Moirang|
|ꯊꯦꯔꯩ ꯂꯥꯡꯕꯝ ꯆꯅꯨ|Therei Langbam Chanu|ꯆꯦꯡꯂꯩ/ꯁꯂꯥꯡ-ꯂꯩꯁꯥꯡꯊꯦꯝ|Chenglei/Salang-Leishangthem|
|ꯂꯥꯢ ꯂꯩꯃꯔꯦꯟ|Lai Leimaren|ꯈꯥꯕ-ꯉꯥꯟꯕ|Khaba-Nganba|

### Imoinu Iratpa

_Imoinu Iratpa_ (_Emoinu Eratpa_) is celebrated in honor of goddess Imoinu (Emoinu) on the 12th of Meitei lunar month of _Wakching_ (December-January interface month) every year. Fruits, vegetables and fish are offered to goddess Imoinu.

### Panthoibi Iratpa

_Panthoibi Iratpa_ (_Panthoibi Eratpa_) is celebrated in honor of goddess Panthoibi every year.

### Phouoibi Irat Thouni

_Phouoibi Irat Thouni_ or _Phouoibi Iratpa_ or just _Phouoibi worship_ is done during the Meitei lunar month of _Wakching_ (December-January interface month).

## Ima Keithel

_Ima Keithel_ () is the world's only women run market. The Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 1), the Imoinu Ima Keithel (Complex Number 2) and the Phouoibi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 3) are the three main building complexes of the Ima Keithel. This 500 years old market is in the center of Imphal, Manipur. The three building complexes are named in honor of the three goddesses, Leimarel Sidabi, Imoinu and Phouoibi. The later two are the incarnations of the first.

## In popular culture

In popular culture, the incarnations of goddess Leimarel are shown in arts, books, movies, web series and many others. Here are a few:
- Phou-oibi, the rice goddess is a 2009 ballad opera. It was performed by the Laihui Ensemble. It is based on the story of Phouoibi and her sister goddesses.
- Phouoibi Shayon is a 2017 Meitei mythological movie. It is based on the story of Phouoibi and her sister goddesses.

## Bibliography

- Ariba Meiteigee Seitha by Gourachandra, Mayanglambam
- Emoinu Ahongbi Tungnapham by Budhichandra, Yumnamcha
- Holy Man by Dhiren Meitei,a.k
- Kangleikhol January 1988 by Kangjia, Ng
- Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul by Neelabi, Sairem
- Leeklam by Apunba Shintha Lup
- Leimarel Mingkhei by Bhogeshawr, Oinam
- Yimpallon by Singh, Wakhemcha Tomba