Temba Laithak

Tembalaithak (also called Temba Laithak, ) is a folktale from the Meitei people of ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). It tells the story of a stubborn man named Temba and his attempts to marry Ngangbiton, the daughter of a local minister named Keirakpa. The tale describes Temba’s unusual behavior, his tricks, and how he eventually becomes famous as a fortune-teller.Sharma, B. Jayantakumar. Fungawari Singbul (also known as Phungawari Shingbul) (in Manipuri). Sahitya Akademi.

 Early life of Temba 

Temba was a middle-aged man who had never married. He liked no woman except the beautiful Ngangbiton, daughter of Keirakpa, who was the minister of his area. Temba believed he was not worthy of her. He was short, dark in color, had narrow eyes, a flat nose, a rough voice, and was very hairy. He had no one to look after him, but he was stubborn and did whatever he wanted. Because of this, people feared and disliked him.

 Marriage proposal 

One day, Temba invited some elders from his society for lunch. He asked them to go to Keirakpa and request Ngangbiton’s hand in marriage. The elders could not refuse him, so they brought the proposal.

Keirakpa declined but respected the elders and sent them back peacefully. When Temba heard this, he said he would marry Ngangbiton whether she was approved for him or not.

 Temba and Ngangbiton at the river 

Temba sharpened a long knife and went to the river near Keirakpa’s home. Ngangbiton normally did not bathe in the river, but that day she came with her friends.

Temba grabbed her hand. Her friends ran away in fear. Temba told Ngangbiton he loved her. He said he would kill her and then himself, so they could be together in the next life. He placed the knife on her throat. Ngangbiton begged him to spare her. Temba made her promise something, then let her go.

 Pretending to be dead 

That night, Temba entered Keirakpa’s house. He pushed open Ngangbiton’s door, laid on the floor, and pretended to be dead.

In the morning, the household found him and was shocked. Controlling his anger, Keirakpa told his servants to bury Temba near the riverbank. While they dug the grave, Temba ran away. When Keirakpa heard this, he became furious. He blamed his daughter and scolded her harshly.

Feeling ashamed, Ngangbiton went to Temba’s house. Temba welcomed her happily. Keirakpa, believing his daughter dead, broke his earthen pots.

 Life after marriage 

Temba and Ngangbiton were poor and became poorer. Temba regretted that instead of gaining dowry, he had to struggle for survival. He wondered what work he could do. Finally, he decided to become a fortune-teller.

 Fish trick 

One day, Temba secretly put ten murrel fish (ngamu) into a pond. When some women passed by, he told them there were ten fish inside. He entered the water and pulled out the ten fish one by one. The women believed he had psychic powers and spread the rumor. This made him a well-known astrologer. Hearing the rumor, Temba was pleased and continued the role.

 Theft of Keirakpa’s utensils 

One night, Temba entered Keirakpa’s house and stole all the utensils. He buried them in a yard and returned home as if nothing had happened.

The next day, the village learned of the theft. Many people said Keirakpa did not need to worry because his son-in-law Temba was there. Even though Keirakpa and Temba were not speaking, people advised Keirakpa to accept the marriage fully and let Temba find the missing items.

Keirakpa agreed and accepted Temba as his son-in-law. He told Temba about the missing utensils. Temba then “predicted” the place where he had hidden them. When the servants searched, they found everything. Temba became even more famous and was treated like a god. His reputation spread to neighboring lands.

 Finding the neighboring king’s boat 

One day, two servants from a neighboring king came to Temba. Their king’s boat had been stolen, and they wanted Temba to find it. Temba was scared because he knew he could not trick them.

He told his wife that this time everything would fall apart. Hearing this, the two servants became frightened. Temba observed their fear and asked them to tell him the truth. They revealed the place where they had hidden the boat.

Confident again, Temba went with them to their kingdom. He pretended to foresee the hiding place. The king’s servants checked the spot inside the palace pond and found the boat. The king was pleased and rewarded Temba with bags of gold and silver. Temba returned home with great treasure.

 Drought and the frog 

Later, another king called Temba to help with a drought. The king asked him to pray for rain. Temba was afraid because he did not know how to trick this situation.

While walking outside, he heard a frog croak. Temba was happy because he believed that when frogs croak, rain is near. He asked the king to prepare items for prayer. After praying, he said that the “god of frog” had listened and that it would rain within three days.

The king became angry at this strange statement. Temba corrected himself, saying that frogs bring rain and therefore he prayed to them. The king calmed down.

Three days passed with no rain. Temba feared he would lose everything. But suddenly clouds formed in the east, lightning appeared, and heavy rain fell. The people rejoiced and danced in the rain.

The king rewarded Temba with more treasures.

 Undefeated in challenges 

According to the folktale, Temba became famous and undefeated in all the challenges he faced. He lived happily with his wife Ngangbiton, daughter of Keirakpa, for the rest of his life.

 Related pages 
 Keibu Keioiba
 Tapta
 Lai Khutsangbi
 Lai Khadang Pandabi
 Yenakha Paodabi
 Pebet
 Kakyen
 Houdong
 Shamu (Meitei culture)
 Tenawa

 References 

Category:Meitei folklore
Category:Meitei mythology
Category:Children's literature