Phouoibi
| Phouoibi | |
|---|---|
Goddess of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, paddy, rice and wealth | |
| Member of Lairembis | |
| Other names | Fouoibi, Fouoipi, Fouleima, Foureima, Phouoipi, Phouleima, Phoureima |
| Affiliation | Epic cycles of incarnations, Meitei mythology and Sanamahism |
| Abodes | Farms and Fields |
| Artifacts | Round black stone kept inside a pot |
| Symbol | Paddy |
| Texts | Phouoibi Warol |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur) |
| Ethnic group | Meitei ethnicity |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents |
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| Siblings | Thumleima, Ngaleima and Ereima (Ireima) |
| Consort | Phou Ningthou |
| Equivalents | |
| Greek | Demeter |
| Roman | Ceres |
| Part of a series on |
| Meitei mythology |
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| Myths portal |
| Part of a series on |
| Sanamahism |
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Phouoibi or Phouleima is the goddess and the female personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvest, paddy, rice and wealth in Meitei mythology and religion of Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). She is the lover of Akongjamba, a hero in ancient legends. But fate does not permit the lovers to unite. So, Phouoibi and Akongjamba reincarnated in the legends. She was sent by Thangching to Moirang kingdom to make the human world prosperous. The legends of her love with Akongjamba were believed to be enacted by Thangching as a part of the Moirang Saiyon legends.
Phouoibi is a spirit of the rice. So, she is not a member of the Umang Lais.
The characters of Phouoibi and other goddesses, including Panthoibi and Emoinu, depict, as well as influence, the boldness, courage, independence, righteousness and social honour of Meitei women. The Meitei people believe that the gleaming black stone is a personification of the goddess, which if kept inside the earthenware pot of the granary, will bring good luck and prosperity, as long as it shines.