Khuyol Haoba

**Khuyol Haoba**  or **Khuyon Haoba** is one of the principal characters in the ancient Moirang Kangleirol legends. He is the son of Khuyol Khuntoulempa, and a lover of Yaithing Konu, the fair daughter of Huiningsumba. Right from childhood, he grew up as an orphan man.

Khuyol Haoba is best known for his tragic love story with Yaithing Konu. He is remembered as a brave and loyal youth who endured hardship, survived betrayal, and ultimately reunited with his beloved. His story is one of love, separation, and resilience, forming part of the rich oral and literary tradition of Moirang.

## Social origin

Khuyol Haoba belonged to the Khuyol group of people in ancient Moirang. This group is also referred to in various texts and traditions as Khuyon, Khoyol, or Khoyon. His identity within this group places him within the distinct social and cultural structures of Moirang society.

## Family background

Khuyol Haoba was the son of Khundouremba (also spelled Khuntoulempa), a respected official in the royal court of Moirang. His father was in charge of important religious duties, including caring for the sacred Tesa bamboo tree, removing the Tayan creeper, and polishing the metal mask of a deity.

After Khundouremba’s death, Khuyol Haoba and his sister were forgotten by their relatives and by the royal court. This was believed to be the will of God Thangching (Thangjing), the chief deity of Moirang. The siblings were left to live in poverty, with Haoba being raised under the care of his sister.

## Life in hiding

As a young man, Khuyol Haoba became known for his physically attractive. During a time of great famine and drought, a court noble named Thangarakpa devised a cruel plot to have Haoba sacrificed under the false pretense that an orphan must be offered to Lord Thangjing to end the suffering.

To escape this fate, Haoba went into hiding on the floating biomass or floating islands (phooms) of Loktak Lake.

## Meeting Yaithing Konu

During a festival when the maidens of Moirang gathered to fish at Loktak Lake, Khuyol Haoba met Yaithing Konu, the daughter of the influential noble Luwang Huiningsumba. As men were forbidden from entering the water that day, Haoba helped Konu when her fishing net broke. The two fell in love at first sight.

## Recognition and appointment

Later, the king discovered Haoba’s identity and restored him to his father's position in the court. For a time, he and Yaithing Konu lived in peace and love.

## Tragedy and forced separation

During a royal hunting trip, Huiningsumba accidentally caused a fire that spread into the Khuman kingdom, destroying the house and barn of the powerful warrior Kaoba Hingamba. In anger, Kaoba captured Huiningsumba and his men. As ransom, he demanded Yaithing Konu as payment.

The Moirang court accepted this demand, and Konu was married to Kaoba. At the time of her forced marriage, she was already three months pregnant with Haoba’s child.

## Secret reunions and final reunion

Haoba continued to visit Konu in secret, disguised as a hill-man. When Kaoba discovered the visits, he drove her out. After this, Haoba and Konu were finally reunited.

## Legacy

Khuyol Haoba is celebrated in the Meitei folklore and literary tradition of Moirang Kangleirol for his loyalty, courage, and love. His story, along with Yaithing Konu's, remains one of the most enduring romantic legends in Meitei culture. As a member of the Khuyol (Khuyon/Khoyol/Khoyon) group, his identity is linked to the social heritage of ancient Moirang.

## In popular culture

- The Rupamahal Theatre produced a play "Yaithing Konu" in 1949, which was written by Meitram Bir. It highlights the saga of Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu.

## Related pages

- Moirang Shayon