Khamba and Thoibi
| Khamba and Thoibi, Manipur | |
|---|---|
The capture the wild bull | |
| Folk tale | |
| Name | Khamba and Thoibi, Manipur |
| Also known as | Khampa Thoipi (Ancient Meitei Language) |
| Aarne–Thompson grouping | no |
| Mythology | Meitei mythology |
| Country | India |
| Region | Manipur |
| Origin Date | 11th-12th century CE |
| Published in | Khamba Thoibi Sheireng and many others |
| Related | Meitei folklore (Manipuri folklore), Meitei literature (Manipuri literature) |
The ancient legend of Khamba and Thoibi (Meitei: Khamba Thoibi) is a classic, as well as one of the epic cycles of incarnations of Meitei mythology and folklore, that is originated from Ancient Moirang kingdom of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). It is referred to as the "national romantic legend of Manipur" by Indian scholar Suniti Kumar Chatterjee.
Among the countless retelling editions of the epic story, is Khamba Thoibi Sheireng (Meitei: ꯈꯝꯕ ꯊꯣꯏꯕꯤ ꯁꯩꯔꯦꯡ) an eight-volume, 39,000-line epic poem composed by Hijam Angangha and published in 1940. It was written in Pena Saisak folk ballad style and has been called the national epic of Manipur.
The classic tale of Khamba and Thoibi became an Assamese classic as well, after being translated into Assamese language as Khamba Thoibir Sadhukatha, by Assamese author and anthropologist Rajanikanta Bordoloi (1869-1939).