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Phou Ningthou
God of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, paddy, rice[1]
Member of agricultural deities[1]
The divine name "Phou Ningthou", written in archaic Meitei Mayek abugida
Other namesPhouningthou
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
AbodesPaddy fields and Granaries
SymbolPaddy plants (Rice plants)
TextsPuYas
GenderMale
RegionAncient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsLai Haraoba
ConsortPhouoibi (Phouleima)[1]
Term
EnglishPhou Ningthou
Ancient Meiteiꯐꯧ ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ
(phou ning-thou)
Modern Meiteiꯐꯧ ꯅꯤꯪꯊꯧ
(phou ning-thou)
Assameseফৌ নিংথৌ
(phou ning-thou)
Bengaliফৌ নিঙথৌ
(phou ning-thou)
Hindiफौ निंथौ
(phou ning-thou)
Sanamahism
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Phou Ningthou is a deity in Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism) of Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur). He is the God and the divine male personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, paddy, rice and wealth.[1][2] He is the consort of Phouoibi (Phouleima), the goddess of crops and agricultural fertility.[1][3][4][5][6][7]

Etymology

In Meitei language (Manipuri language), "Phou" (ꯐꯧ, /pʰəu/) means "Paddy (unmilled rice)" (or "unhusked rice").[8] The Meitei term "Ningthou" (ꯅꯤꯡꯊꯧ, /niŋ.tʰəu/) literally means "the King" or "the Ruler".[9]

Worship

Phou Ningthou is worshipped with Phouoibi, the goddess of rice. Farmers prayed to the two deities for a doubling of the previous year's yield, after the harvest.[1]

Phoukourol (Phoukouron or Phougourol or Phougouron) is a sacred hymn to call the spirit of the paddy. It is generally sung during harvesting.[10][11] It is done before the harvested crops are stored in the grain house.[12]

The Phou Kouba (calling the paddy/rice) ceremony is usually performed during mis-happenings to the farmers. Mis-happenings may be theft or burning of the paddy/rice, an animal like cow trespasses the threshing ground, etc. People perform the rites and rituals to induce the deity to stay at their places.[12]

Sareng fish (Wallago attu, helicopter catfish) with rice is the most important offering to the deity. It should be cooked with herbs and not with spices.[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Krishna, Nanditha (2014-05-15). Sacred Plants of India. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-93-5118-691-5.
  2. ^ Hamilton, Roy W.; Ammayao, Aurora (2003). The Art of Rice: Spirit and Sustenance in Asia. UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History. ISBN 978-0-930741-98-3.
  3. ^ Paniker, K. Ayyappa (1997). Medieval Indian Literature: Surveys and selections. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0365-5.
  4. ^ Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  5. ^ Sanajaoba, Naorem (1993). Manipur: Treatise & Documents. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-399-5.
  6. ^ Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-000-29637-2.
  7. ^ "Sharma, H. Surmangol. Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary. Meaning of Phouoibi". uchicago.edu (in Manipuri and English). 2006.
  8. ^ "Sharma, H. Surmangol. Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary. Meaning of Phou". uchicago.edu (in Manipuri and English). 2006.
  9. ^ "Sharma, H. Surmangol. Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary. Meaning of Ningthou". uchicago.edu (in Manipuri and English). 2006.
  10. ^ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
  11. ^ Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
  12. ^ a b c Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1980). Religion Of Manipur. Firma Klm. p. 93.

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