Women in Meitei culture
Women have significant roles in different elements of Meitei culture, including Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology, Meitei religion, etc.
Women as goddesses
Besides natural elements and phenomena personified as divine feminine beings, venerated and worshipped by the Meitei people in Meitei religion, many women are also deified to the same status.The personality of Imoinu, Panthoibi and Phouoibi shows as well as influences the boldness, courage, independence, righteousness and social honour of Meitei women.
Leimarel Sidabi, also known as Leimalel Sitapi, is an ancient Meitei goddess associated with earth, nature and the household. In Meitei mythology and the religion of Ancient Kangleipak, she is the highest female divinity as well as is revered as the mother of every living being in the universe.
Imoinu, also spelled as Emoinu, is an ancient Meitei goddess, associated with household, hearth, family, fireplace, kitchen, wealth, peace and prosperity. In Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak, she is also identified as a form of goddess Leimarel Sidabi.
In Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak, Panthoibi, also known as, is an ancient Meitei goddess associated with civilization, courage, fertility, handicraft, love, victory, warfare and wisdom.
She is considered to be a divine incarnation of goddess Leimarel Sidabi as well as that of Nongthang Leima.
In Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak, Phouoibi, also known as Phouleima, is an ancient Meitei goddess associated with agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvest, paddy, rice and wealth.
Women in Meitei literature
The Meitei Chanu depicts the feminization of the Meitei language and Meitei literature.Its opening lines notably shows the idea of a culture that is prevalent in the form of a shrine. The very literary temple refers to the remaining empty without a goddess for a very long period of time. This metaphor shows significant transformation in history as "Ema" or the "Meitei Chanu" re-occupies the temple. The reasons why she could enter into her past shrine once again are because of the western education, their imitations and the feminization of language and literature.
Women in music
In traditional music
In the 2010s, Ima Thoinu, a traditional Moirang Sai singer, got only a few students to learn the endangered art form, which was the only means to keep it alive.A small group of performers are again learning the nearly extinct art form of the Moirang Sai to save it from total extinction.
The art form was outstandingly revived due to the hard works of Mangka Mayanglambam, a traditional Meitei folk singer and artist of the "Laihui". Mangka is re-popularising the nearly extinct art form among the present youth once again.
Women's only market
The Ima Market, also known as the or the, in Imphal, is the only market in the world run entirely by women. Inside the market, male shopkeepers and vendors are not allowed to sell anything.The three major building complexes of the Ima Market are named after three prominent ancient Meitei goddesses, who are Leimarel Sidabi, Emoinu/Imoinu and Phouoibi.
Ima Keithel is a classic example of the long-lasting tradition of business management done by Meitei women in Manipur. Traditionally, Meitei women always enjoyed high status in the economy of the society. Women lead the trade and commerce in food and vegetables, household things and clothes in Meitei society. In history, it is the symbol of the empowerment and the leadership prospects of Meitei women in Manipur.