Phou Ningthou

This article is about the divine consort of Goddess Phouoibi. For the mortal lover of Phouoibi, see Akongjamba.

Phou Ningthou
God of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, rice[1]
Member of agricultural deities[1]
Other names	Phouningthou
Affiliation	Sanamahism
Abodes	Paddy fields and granaries
Symbol	Rice plant
Gender	Male
Region	Manipur)
Ethnic group	Meitei
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Consort	Phouoibi[1]

Phou Ningthou (Meitei: ꯐꯧ ꯅꯤꯪꯊꯧ, lit. 'king of unhusked rice') is a deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur). He is the God and the divine male personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, rice paddies, 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]

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.[8][9] It is done before the harvested crops are stored in the grain house.[10]

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.[10]

Sareng (Wallago attu, helicopter catfish) with rice is the most important offering to the deity. It should be cooked with herbs and not with spices.[10]

References

1. 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. Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1993). Folk Culture of Manipur. Manas Publications. ISBN 978-81-7049-063-0.
9. Singh, Ch Manihar (1996). A History of Manipuri Literature. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-0086-9.
10. Parratt, Saroj Nalini (1980). Religion Of Manipur. Firma Klm. p. 93.