Taothingmang

Taothingmang () was a Meitei ruler of Ningthouja dynasty of Ancient Manipur (Kangleipak). He was a son and the successor of King Khuyoi Tompok.
He was one of the nine kings associated with the different designs in a historic flag of the Kangleipak kingdom. Other than the Cheitharol Kumbaba, the Ningthourol Lambuba and the Chada Laihui, Taothingmang and his elder brother Yoimongba were also especially mentioned in the Toreirol Lambuba and the Tutenglon.Singh, Ch. Manihar. A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi, 1996. p. 25, 26, 99, 100

Taothingmang is mentioned in the Toreirol Lambuba and the Tutenglon, where he appears alongside his elder brother Yoimongba. These traditional texts describe the lives and adventures of the two brothers, including their travels, their struggles, and the origin of several place names in Manipur.

 Early deeds 

In the Toreirol Lambuba, Taothingmang joins his brother Yoimongba in a journey across various places. One important event tells how the two brothers tried to capture a large bird (roc) known Kakyen, which had carried away Yoimongba like a chicken. Taothingmang, skilled in using nets, chased the bird. The story explains that certain locations—Chensio and Mumaitao—were named after this event.

 River-clearing mission 

In the Tutenglon, Taothingmang and Yoimongba take on the large task of dredging the riverbeds of the two main rivers in Manipur—the Iril River and the Imphal River. Their work starts at the river sources in the hills and continues to the southern end of the valley.

Yoimongba, being the elder, gives the Iril River to Taothingmang, as it is easier to handle. The Imphal River, which Yoimongba takes, has more obstacles such as long grasses and large floating wood. Taothingmang works steadily along his river route and later joins his brother at a place that becomes known as "Iril Long".

 Defeating the giant bird 

The story continues as the two brothers reach a village threatened by a giant man-eating bird. An old woman warns them of the danger and tells them that building a trap would not be enough. She advises them to pray to Leimaren Sidabi, a mother goddess, and to ask for her divine weapons—a sword and an arrow.

Taothingmang performs a month of austerities and prayers to earn the strength to use the weapons. Once granted, the divine sword and arrow are so powerful that they even split the boat carrying them into two.

When the brothers go in search of the bird’s cave, the bird attacks and carries away Yoimongba. Taothingmang responds by shooting the bird with the arrow, causing it to crash to the ground. He then finishes the battle by killing it with the sword.

 Soraren incident 

The later part of the Tutenglon tells of a humorous incident involving Taothingmang, his elder brother Yoimongba, and a character named Soraren. In this episode, Yoimongba’s sister is falsely said to be engaged to Soraren. This engagement is not real but part of a joke or trick.

The story describes how Taothingmang is involved in the situation, which causes funny and light-hearted moments. The passage shows that Taothingmang took part in making fun of Soraren, adding a moment of humor in contrast to the earlier serious events of river dredging and fighting a giant bird.

This part of the story adds a different tone to Taothingmang’s character, showing that he could also be playful and witty, not just serious and brave.

Nonglao Eesei (), one of the ancient Meitei hymns, is a fun song sung in groups during a serious drought. It is sung before dawn by men and women. The song asks the rain to come down heavily. It tells a funny story about how Salailen (also called Soraren), the lord of heaven, was tricked by Taothingmang. The prince fooled Soraren into giving his “sister” to the rain-god as a bride, even though he had no sister. Soraren came to earth with many people, and the prince pretended to be the bride. But while crossing a bridge, the prince jumped into the Imphal river and disappeared. Angry, the rain-god caused heavy rain, flooding the whole valley.Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). "The Early Period | Hymns". A History of Manipuri Literature. India: Sahitya Akademi. pp. 21–23. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.

The song asks the rain to come again like that, to flood the Langjing Hills, wash away the old men and women, and young girls of Patsoi, so the boys from Unam can find them.

 Other mentions 

In Toreirol Lambuba, Taothingmang is also mentioned in the context of early Meitei history, with references to events and place names dating back to the 3rd century CE. His actions, along with those of his brother, are used to explain the origin of several place names in the region.

 Character and role 

In both texts, Taothingmang is shown as a loyal younger brother, a brave fighter, and a person who can gain the favor of divine beings through dedication. He is skilled in using weapons and in performing religious duties when needed. His role is important in both practical tasks, like river clearing, and mythic battles, like the defeat of the giant bird.

 Other books 




 References 

Category:Meitei literature
Category:History of Manipur
Category:Kings of Ancient Manipur
Category:Meitei mythology
Category:Meitei folklore