Khuman Khamba
Khuman Khamba or Moirang Khamba is a hero in Meitei folklore. He belongs to the Khuman clan. He is the hero as well as the protagonist of the Meitei epic poem Khamba Thoibi of the Moirang Shayon legends in the Moirang Kangleirol genres from Ancient Moirang. He is the son of nobleman Puremba, the then prime minister of the ancient Moirang Kingdom. He became an orphan at a very young age when his parents died. He was raised in poverty by his elder sister Khamnu. Later, he married princess Thoibi of Ancient Moirang kingdom.
Etymology
The word "Khamba" means ultimate or fullness in the Meitei language.Early life and meeting Princess Thiobi
Khamba and his sister Khamnu were orphaned at a young age. For a time, Purenba's closest friends, Nongthonba and Thonglen, took care of them. The two children were not happy with them, so they returned to the house they had lived in with their parents. They were happy there even though no one came to help them.Khamba was brought up by his sister Khamnu. She went from place to place to find help and work. For example, she husked paddy for some people and, in exchange, the women breastfed the infant Khamba. As the two siblings grew up, to earn a living, Khamnu sold wood in a market in Moirang. One day, Princess Thoibi met Khamnu. The two became friends. Thoibi asked Khamnu many questions. She gave Khamnu food and jewelry. Thoibi asked Khamnu to come with her on a fishing trip in Loktak lake. The king heard that the princess and her companions were to sport on the lake, so he ordered that no man should go to the lake. Khamnu told Khamba about the royal order. On the day of the fishing trip, she left him at home.
Khamba had a dream. In his dream, Goddess Ayangleima appeared to him in the form of Khamnu and asked him to fetch vegetables. Khamba woke up and wondered about the dream. The god Thangjing made him think that he had truly seen his sister. So he rowed a boat onto the lake, but he went in the wrong direction. The god Thangjing sent clouds and storms over the hills, and the wind blew the boat towards where Thoibi was fishing. Thoibi saw Khamba standing nearby. She asked Khamnu if she knew the strange man disobeying the royal order. Khamnu said no. Khamba did not know what to do. Hearing his sister's voice, he came closer. Thoibi saw that he was handsome, manly, muscular and well fashioned. Khamba was also amazed at Thoibi's beauty and glamour. It was God's will that they should be lovers. Khamnu worried that her brother might be punished for disobeying the king. Thoibi noticed that some of the fabric in Khamnu's clothes matchied Khamba's headdress. She also saw that Khamba was wearing the bracelet she had given to Khamnu. Later, Khamnu admitted that this man was her brother. Then, Thoibi became kind to Khamba. She offered him delicate foods. She pleasantly told him to go home before the king's noticed he was there.
Lover
Princess Thoibi visited Khamnu's house, and she saw it was old and full of holes. Khamba hid himself underneath a mat. Thoibi saw the mat and asked Khamnu about it. Khamnu said that it was where she worshipped place of God Khuman Pokpa. Thoibi, pretending not to know Khamba was hiding there, asked if she could pray to the God. She prayed aloud, asking the God to allow her to worship him daily in the house. Khamba heard her voice and laughed. Khamba came out of hiding and sent his sister to the market to bring some fruit. When they were alone, Thoibi gave Khamba gifts. The two bound themselves by an oath before God Khuman Pokpa. Both drank water in which a golden bracelet had been dipped and vowed to be lovers forever.Feats
Khuman Khamba is best known for being the paragon of masculinity and far-ranging adventures.Some of his feats are as follows:
- Lifting up the stone slab in the Kabui village
- Herding the prince's ox
- Wrestling with Nongban
- Finding the orchid flowers
- Winning a race despite sabotage
- Capturing a dangerous feral bull
- Hunting in the Torbung region
- Killing the Khoirentak tiger
Wrestling with Nongban: Khamba's identity and fame
Nongthonba dearly loved Khamba. In happiness, he told his wives of the lad he had met. He told them to prepare for fine clothes and a delicious meal for Khamba and Khamnu. Nongthonba took Khamba to the market place. Chingkhu Akhuba, the King's brother, was in the marketplace. Nongthonba introduced Khamba to Chingkhu Akhuba. Then, they introduced Khamba to the King. The King was pleased to see Khamba. The King's brother was also kind to Khamba. He told his people about Khamba and his late father Purenba's high official position, status and glories.
Finding the orchid flowers
King Chingkhu Telheiba made Khamba the "Khuntak Leiroi Hanjaba" to gather flowers from the hills. Thoibi packed delicious foods for Khamba. The next day, Khamba and Angom Nongban Kongyamba went to collect flowers. Nongban Kongyamba claimed they were on his father's land and threatened Khamba. Khamba did not know Nongban was lying. Khamba asked where his own father had gathered flowers. Kongyamba randomly pointed to the southern hills. Khamba went there but found no flowers. So, he prayed to Thangjing. The god took pity on Khamba. He sent a whirlwind bearing flowery fragrances towards Khamba. Khamba found a tree with many flowers. He gathered the flowers and threw them down the ground. By the grace of the God, not a petal of a single flower was broken. On his way back to the palace, he sang songs in honor of the princess. Kongyamba heard them and was furious. Kongyamba asked Khamba to carry his flowers too, but Khamba said no. The two fought until they got hungry. Kongyamba smelled the food the princess had packed for Khamba and wondered about it.Another day, Kongyamba sent his men to investigate where Khamba had gotten delicacies. In the palace, they asked the minister of women's affairs, "Ningon Lakpa" if there had been a feast. Kongyamba thought up more evil plots against Khamba. He gathered many people in front of Khamba's house. He announced that everyone should wear their richest clothes and jewels of gold and silver in the festival of the Gods. He lied and said it was the King's order. When Khamnu asked him about what he was saying, Kongyamba scolded her until she wept. Khamba felt sad because he did not have clothes of that quality. In that night's dream of the two siblings, their parents told them where they could find honorable clothes in Thonglen's house. Immediately, they woke up. Even though it was still night, they went to Thonglen's house. The guards seized them, thinking them thieves. They brought Khamba and Khamnu to Thonglen in the morning. But Thonglen knew the children of his old friend Purenba. He gave them the clothes. He even taught them the dance. He also sent men and women to serve Khamba and Khamnu and began building them a new house. Thoibi and Senu came to Khamba's house with gifts. But they did not recognize the house because it was so well built. Thoibi was shocked to see Khamnu and Khamba wearing rich clothes. She worried that Khamba might have married a daughter of some rich man. Later, she learned the truth.
Kongyamba offered the flowers to the royalties and the nobles. First, he offered some to the King. Secondly, he offered some to the Queen. Later, he offered the rest to the High Officers of the kingdom. It was then Khamba's turn. He feared about the code of conducts. So, he humbly asked the counsel of priestess. For Khamba, they first offer the flowers to God Thangjing. After that, Khamba presented the flowers to the King, to the Queen and then to the High Officers of the kingdom.
Everyone was pleased with the flowers of Khamba. So, they gave him rare gifts. Gifts received by Khamba were many times more valuable than the customary presents received by Kongyamba.
During the dancing ceremony, Kongyamba and his noble wives danced first. Later, Khamba and Thoibi danced before God Thangjing's holy shrine. The latter's pairing was great. The audiences shouted with joy during the dance. Finally, Khamba and Thoibi knelt before God Thangjing.
Overcoming the unfair race: Annual Sports Championship
Khamba's increasing fame caused Nongban Kongyamba to feel jealous of him. There was an annual sports championship in Ancient Moirang. Contestants began to prepare for the racing and wrestling championships. The officers of the respective Panas chose their champions. Khamba was chosen to represent his Pana. His running style was to move very fast with his chest held low. Kongyamba was selected to represent his Pana. He also ran fast, but with his head high, so he could not keep up his speed for long distances. That year, the championship organizers lengthened the racecourse. In both wrestling and running, both Khamba and Kongyamba were champions of their respective parties.One night, Kongyamba planned with his men how to defeat Khamba.
On the other hand, Khamnu worried if Khamba's contenders might harm Khamba in jealousy.
On the next day, Kongyamba announced to the people,
This words spread among the public. Khamba was stopped and told that his name was not in the list of the contestants. Khamba believed them. So, he sadly returned home. He told everything to Khamnu. The two siblings told Nongtholba about it. Nongtholba went to the king. The king told Khamba to participate if it was not still late to join.
Khamba and Feiroijamba went to the starting place of the race. They saw the race was about to be started. They shouted that they bore the King's order. Khamba ran swiftly as fast as he could. Then, Kongyamba's men interrupted Khamba on his way. But Khamba stroke all of them aside. At last, he reached up Kongyamba. Kongyamba was running slowly as he got tired. Suddenly, fifteen horsemen of Kongyamba stopped Khamba. But Khamba kicked out all of them from his way.
Khamnu shouted "Run on Khamba, for your father's honor." Finally, Khamba reached the final destination. He was the champion and Kongyamba was the second. Both saluted the King. The King was more pleased with Khamba. He gifted Khamba a gold embroidered coat. The Queen gifted Khamba luxurious clothes. The ministers also piled heaps of gifts upon Khamba.
Khamba and his sister Khamnu generously offered many of the gifted clothes to the old men and women.