Market goddesses or merchant goddesses (Meitei: Keithel Kabi Lairembising, Old Manipuri: Keithel Kapi Lailempising) are the goddesses known for keeping different market shops in Meitei mythology and religion Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur.[1][2][3] Different sources have different answers to how many shopkeeping goddesses there are. They are Cheng Leima, Chinga Leima, Heipok Leima, Hei Leima, Laa Leima, Phu Leima, Pishum Leima, Thangching Leima, Waisheng Leima, Waithou Leima and Waal Leima.[1][2][3][4]

Market goddesses
Member of Lairembis
Other namesKeithen Kabi Lairembising
AffiliationSanamahism
Abodemarketplaces
TextsKhamnung Engal Leishaba Puya
GenderFemale
RegionManipur
Ethnic groupMeitei

List

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Name Selling items
Cheng Leima (Meitei: ꯆꯦꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Goddess of rice') rice[1][2][3]
Chinga Leima (Meitei: ꯆꯤꯡꯉꯥ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Lady of Chinga') cereals, legumes, vegetables[1][2][3][4]
Chinga Leima (Meitei: ꯍꯩꯄꯣꯛ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Lady of Heipok') iron tools, daggers, knives, scissors, ladles, tongs[1][2][3]
Hei Leima (Meitei: ꯍꯩ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Goddess of fruit') fruits and sweets [1][2][3]
Laa Leima (Meitei: ꯂꯥ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Goddess of banana leaves') banana leaves[1][2][3]
Phu Leima (Meitei: ꯐꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Goddess of pots') pots and plates [1][2][3]
Pishum Leima (Meitei: ꯄꯤꯁꯨꯝ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Lady of Pishum') clothes for deities, belts, upper body clothing, gold and silver jewellery[1][2][3][4]
Thangching Leima (Meitei: ꯊꯥꯡꯆꯤꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Lady of Thangching') taro, herbs, chili peppers, chives[1][2][3]
Waisheng Leima (Meitei: ꯋꯥꯢꯁꯦꯡ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Waisheng Lady') salt cakes[1][2][3][4]
Waithou Leima (Meitei: ꯋꯥꯢꯊꯧ ꯂꯩꯃ, lit.'Lady of Waithou') edible oils [1][2][3][4]
Waal Leima (Meitei: ꯋꯥꯜ ꯂꯩꯃ) Lady associated with cooking, eating and kitchens[1][2][3]

See also

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  • Emoinu, Goddess of wealth and prosperity
  • Phouleima, Goddess of agriculture, paddy and rice

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Meitei, Manglem (1990). Khamnung Engal Leishaba Puya Ahumsuba Saruk Langbachakkee Nongdalai Faoba (in Manipuri). p. 79.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "পোইরৈ মৈতৈ লৈপাক্কী কৈথেল - Hueiyen Lanpao" (PDF). hueiyenlanpao.com (in Manipuri).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Puwarida Eikhoigi Keithel Machat, Maong-Matou Amadi Chiraba Tanphamda Keithel Nupisingna Loukhiba Thoudang" (PDF). hueiyenlanpao.com (in Manipuri).
  4. ^ a b c d e Meitei, Sanjenbam Yaiphaba; Chaudhuri, Sarit K.; Arunkumar, M. C. (2020-11-25). The Cultural Heritage of Manipur. Routledge. p. 487. ISBN 978-1-000-29629-7.
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