Meitei mythology or Manipuri mythology ( mni, Meitei Mi Lai Tingi Wari) is a collection of myths, belonging to the religious and cultural traditions of the
Meitei people
The Meitei people, also known as the Manipuri people,P.20: "historically, academically and conventionally Manipuri prominently refers to the Meetei people."P.24: "For the Meeteis, Manipuris comprise Meeteis, Lois, Kukis, Nagas and Pangal." is ...
, the
predominant ethnic group of
Manipur
Manipur () ( mni, Kangleipak) is a state in Northeast India, with the city of Imphal as its capital. It is bounded by the Indian states of Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south and Assam to the west. It also borders two regions of Myanm ...
. It is associated with
traditional Meitei religion (
Sanamahism
()
, native_name_lang = mni
, image = The Symbol of Sanamahi.svg
, imagewidth =
, alt =
, caption = The Symbol of Sanamahism (Source: Wakoklon Heelel Thilen Salai Amailon Pukok Puya)
, ...
). Meitei myths are a part of
Meitei culture Meitei may refer to:
*Meitei people, of Manipur, India
**Meitei language
**Meitei script
**Meitei architecture
*Denechandra Meitei (born 1994), Indian footballer
*Loken Meitei (born 1997), Indian footballer
*Ningombam Bupenda Meitei (born 1987), Ind ...
(
Manipuri culture) and explain various natural phenomena, how the human civilization developed, and the reasons of many things happening. Most of the Meitei legends are found in the
Meitei language
Meitei (), also known as Manipuri (, ), is a Tibeto-Burman language of north-eastern India. It is spoken by around 1.8 million people, predominantly in the state of Manipur, but also by smaller communities in the rest of the country and in pa ...
(
Manipuri language
Meitei (), also known as Manipuri (, ), is a Tibeto-Burman language of north-eastern India. It is spoken by around 1.8 million people, predominantly in the state of Manipur, but also by smaller communities in the rest of the country and in pa ...
) texts.
[Devi, Dr Yumlembam Gopi. Glimpses of Manipuri Culture. ISBN 978-0-359-72919-7.]
Textual sources
Mythical narration plays an integral role in nearly every genre of
Meitei literature
, image = Numit Kappa.jpg
, imagesize =
, caption = The Numit Kappa, a Classical Meitei epic text written during the 1st century, based on ancient Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism)
, alt ...
(
Manipuri literature). Some of the best known literary sources are:
Mythical beings
Mythical beings include gods, goddesses, mythical creatures and many others.
References
{{Reflist
Asian mythology
Meitei mythology
Sino-Tibetan mythology