Henjunaha and Lairoulembi
The Henjunaha Lairoulembi (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha Lailoulempi), also known as the Henjunaha Lairuklembi (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha Lailuklempi), shortly known as the Henjunaha (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha), is a legendary epic love story of Henjunaha Yangleingamba (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha Yangleingampa) and Thongnang Lairoulembi (Old Manipuri: Thongnang Lailoulempi). It is one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Moirang province of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur).
| Story of Henjunaha and Lairoulembi | |
|---|---|
A book art depicting Henjunaha fighting the evil spirits, holding a polostick, and Lairoulembi, committing suicide by thrusting a knife into herself, in the second epic cycles of incarnations of the two divine lovers in Moirang, Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) | |
| Folk tale | |
| Name | Story of Henjunaha and Lairoulembi |
| Also known as | Henjunaha Lairoulembi (Old Manipuri: Hensunaha Lailoulempi) |
| Aarne–Thompson grouping | no |
| Mythology | Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) |
| Country | Ancient Kangleipak (historical) India (present) |
| Region | Moirang, Manipur |
| Related | Meitei folklore (Manipuri folklore), Meitei literature (Manipuri literature) |
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| Meitei mythology |
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The legend accounts for the unconditional love affairs between Henjunaha, a fatherless lad brought up by a poor widowed mother, and Lairoulembi, a lady, brought up by a rich father, who were separated by their fates with the murder of Henjunaha by the evil spirits. However, defying all the odds, Lairoulembi followed her lover by committing suicide and succeeded in pleasing Thongalen (Thongaren), the God of death to send both of them back to the human world once again.