Imoinu

**Imoinu (Emoinu)** () is a goddess in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). She is the goddess of household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity. She is frequently associated with Leimarel Sidabi. She is regarded as one of the incarnations or representations of goddess Leimarel Sidabi.

The personality of Emoinu and other goddesses like Panthoibi and Phouoibi depict as well as influence the boldness, courage, independence, righteousness and social honour of Meitei women.

## Name 
The meaning of the name "Emoinu Ahongbi" ("ꯏꯃꯣꯢꯅꯨ ꯑꯍꯣꯡꯕꯤ") can be found by splitting it up word by word. Here, "E" ("ꯏ") refers to human being. "Moi" ("ꯃꯣꯢ" or "ꯃꯣꯏ") refers to rearing. "Nu" ("ꯅꯨ") refers to female deity or goddess. So, "Emoinu" means *goddess who rears the human beings*. "Ahongbi" means *giver of plentiful household properties*.

Imoinu Ahong Achaubi is a deity for good moral behavior, besides wealth and prosperity. As a social code of conduct, a Meitei woman should go out from home only after prayers and worship of the goddess and other household deities. When she returns home, she should pray to the deity.

The Meitei people believed that goddess Imoinu lives in the houses of those who strictly obey her favorite social and moral behavior norms. Imoinu blesses such people with *nungai yaifaba* (well-being and prosperity), *watta padaba* (having neither shortage nor excess), *tekta kaidaba* (unaffected by troubles of life) and *punshi nungshangba* (long life). These are the basic needs of life in the human world.

## Worship 
### Ancient worship 
Imoinu (Emoinu) is a hearth deity. She is annually worshipped on the 12th of the Meitei month of Wakching (December-January interface month). Despite this annual event, she is also worshipped everyday. The daily worship is a part of a Meitei ritual. It is done in every Meitei household with the offering of little cooked rice before eating.
### Modern worship 
Nowadays, there is little or no households with proper phunga lairu (traditional fire hearth). So, a modern fireplace is developed. Here, traditional rites and rituals are performed in honor of the goddess.

Wherever the festival is performed, seasonal fruits, vegetables and fish are offered to goddess Imoinu.

## Namesakes 
### In commerce 
Ima Keithel () is the world's only women run market. It has three major building complexes. **Imoinu Ima Keithel** is the Complex Number 2 of the market. It is preceded by Leimarel Sidabi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 1) and followed by Phouoibi Ima Keithel (Complex Number 3). This 500 years old market is in the center of Imphal, Manipur.

## Related pages 
* Ireima (Ereima) - Meitei goddess of water
* Leimarel (Leimalel) - Meitei goddess of earth
* Ngaleima - Meitei goddess of fish
* Panthoibi - Meitei goddess of civilization, love and warfare
* Phouoibi - Meitei goddess of agricultural crops
* Thumleima - Meitei goddess of salt

## References 
## Bibliography 
* Emoinu Ahongbi Tungnapham by Budhichandra, Yumnamcha
* Holy Man by Dhiren Meitei,a.k
* Laiyingthou Lairemmasinggee Waree Seengbul by Neelabi, Sairem
* Leeklam by Apunba Shintha Lup

## Other websites 
* E-pao, Imoinu
* E-pao, Emoinu
* Internet Archive, Imoinu
* Internet Archive, Emoinu
* Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary, Imoinu