Tharon

The Tharon or the Tharol is an ancient Meitei language literary work (puya), about the lore of the twelve lunar months of a year. It describes the changing pattern of nature in the following months. It is one of the masterpieces of the writers of the ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur).Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9. p. 100–102

The terms, "Tha" means month or moon and "ron", derived from "lon" means knowledge, lore or tradition.

Tharon describes the twelve lunar months of the year in poetic form. The book is not focused on astronomy but instead presents natural events and human activities linked to each month.

 Nature of the work 

Tharon shows how early Manipuri writers were interested in writing about human life and nature. It uses poetic language to describe seasonal changes, rituals, and social behavior. The work does not include Indo-Aryan words and shows signs of pre-Hindu beliefs. At the beginning, there is a prayer to traditional Meitei deities. The moon is also praised, as it plays a central role in the lunar calendar.

 Lamta (February–March) 

Lamta is the first month of the year. During this time, seeds planted earlier begin to grow. Early flowers start to bloom. Boys and girls wear their best clothes and enjoy dancing and music outdoors. The grasses turn green and become thick. New shoots grow on old branches. Birds near human homes fly out looking for fruit.

In this month, it is said that a Meitei prince named Nangoi Yoimongpa caught a large deer. Also, a young man named Sarathemba from the Mayang people hunted many animals for a ritual festival.

 Poinu (December–January) 

Poinu is known as the cold month. According to legend, the Lord Almighty tested his three sons by floating down the Kurum Ching river in the form of a dead ox. The youngest son, who was most devoted, recognized Him. This story explains the origin of the month’s name.

During Poinu, the golden rice crops bend, ready to be harvested with a sickle said to have 761 notches. Women gather the rice in small piles on bamboo mats. Young men thrash and winnow the rice. The grains are then collected in large baskets and taken to the royal granary.

At dusk, the king’s priest performs a ritual to the rice goddess Phouoibi. The ceremony includes incense, a water-filled jar, ginger wrapped in banana leaf, a black-feathered rooster, a pig, black cloth, and fruit. These are all placed together for the offering.

Poinu is also the time of heavy mist and the first signs of snow. A traditional tale says the snow comes from dust raised by the feet of Samadon Ayangba as he stepped over bean plants cared for by Chakha Khongjomnubi.

 Style and language 

The language of Tharon is old and complex, but it has a strong musical quality. Some references are hard to understand, but the work gives a detailed picture of traditional Meitei life. It includes rituals, beliefs, daily practices, and the desire for a happy and meaningful existence.

 Months 
The names of the twelve lunar months were given in Ancient Meitei language in the manuscript. However, the following illustrates both the Ancient Meitei as well as Modern Meitei names, with their Gregorian equivalents:
Ancient MeiteiLatin-Roman transliterationModern MeiteiLatin-Roman transliterationGregorian equivalents ꯁꯆꯤꯐꯣꯢ (ꯆꯤꯟꯄꯤ) Sachiphoy (Chinpi) ꯁꯖꯤꯕꯨ Sajibu Apr-May ꯀꯥꯟꯄꯤ Kaanpee ꯀꯥꯂꯦꯟ Kalen May-Jun ꯑꯁꯥꯎ Asaau ꯏꯉꯥ Ee-ngaa Jun-Jul ꯍꯥꯂꯦꯡ Haaleng ꯏꯉꯦꯟ Ee-ngen Jul-Aug ꯋꯥꯟꯇꯠ Waantat ꯊꯧꯋꯥꯟ Thouwaan Aug-Sept ꯑꯆꯤꯠ (ꯂꯥꯡꯄꯟ) Achit (Laangpan) ꯂꯥꯡꯕꯟ Laangban Sept-Oct ꯑꯥꯂꯦ (ꯃꯦꯂꯥ) Aale (Melaa) ꯃꯦꯔꯥ Meraa Oct-Nov ꯆꯤꯛꯊꯝ (ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡꯀꯩ) Chiktham (Hiyaangkei) ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡꯒꯩ Heeyaangei Nov-Dec ꯎꯟꯊꯝ Untham ꯄꯣꯢꯅꯨ Poinu Dec-Jan ꯏꯟꯊꯝ Eentham ꯋꯥꯛꯆꯤꯡ Waakching Jan-Feb ꯑꯁꯤꯠ (ꯐꯥꯢꯂꯦꯜ) Ashit (Phailel) ꯐꯥꯢꯔꯦꯜ Fairel Feb-Mar ꯊꯥꯄꯤ Thaapee ꯂꯝꯇꯥ Lamta Mar-Apr

References

Category:Puya
Category:Meitei literature
Category:History of Manipur
Category:Meitei religion
Category:Meitei folklore