Mythology in Song: Legends of the Meitei People

In Meitei ritual tradition, priestesses known as Maibis shape the air with their chants, their gestures tracing the very source of creation—the world, for a moment, feels newly made. Amid their graceful movements, the pena’s soulful hum quivers in the background as the drums resound, guiding the Maibis as they rouse ancient myths from slumber. Immerse yourself in the lores of creation and the epic tales of civilisation as the Laihui Ensemble brings forth the songs and dances of these Manipuri priestesses.

Weaving Meitei chant, dance, and ritual in honour of their goddesses, the Lairemma, Mythology in Song: Legends of the Meitei People is an invocation of the divine—a timeless celebration of faith and creation.

Don’t miss Workshop: Music of Manipur, a companion interactive workshop that traces the sacred musical traditions of the region.

Mythology in song

The fragrance of orange marigolds and white jasmine fills the air as the sound of drums and the soulful strains of the pena fiddle begin to stir. Graceful and dignified, the female priestesses—known as the Maibis—dressed entirely in white with gold trimmings dance and sing to the music. Spectators give their undivided attention to the Maibis, who act as mediums linking the natural and the supernatural.

The lead Maibi orchestrates and presides over the entire ceremony, guiding the attendees in singing chants that recount the lore of creation through movement and song. Accompanying the ceremony is a musician playing the pena, a stringed instrument crafted from bamboo and the shell of a coconut or gourd—a national symbol of the Manipuri people.

The landscape of Manipur and the Meitei people

Nestled in the easternmost corner of India, Manipur is a land of blue hills surrounding an oval-shaped valley, lush greenery, and floating islands. Bordered by Myanmar and other Indian states, the region is a rich melting pot of nature and culture, inhabited by thirty-three recognised tribes, each with its own tradition, dialect, and belief system. Their histories are marked by deep mythological stories that have been passed down orally through generations.

At the heart of this land live the Meitei people, the largest ethnic group in the valley. Even though most have adopted Hinduism, they retain elements of their indigenous culture and ancient faiths, practicing both Hindu and Meitei traditions.

Meiteism is a polytheistic religion with roots predating the adoption of Hinduism as the dominant religion in the region. The Meitei believe that deities—collectively known as Lai—are the embodiment of elemental forces such as water, fire, earth, and wind, and are enshrined in sacred groves. The Lai are also intricately woven into their oral narratives, legends, and folktales.

The divine beings of Meiteism

Numerous ancient Meitei religious texts and folklore recount the presence of hundreds of divine beings in the pantheon, many of them goddesses, regarded as manifestations of the supreme mother goddess, Leimarel Sidabi, who embodies fertility, protection, and the nurturing force of the earth. Accordingly, women play a dominant role in Meitei rituals; it is believed that only female Maibis can be possessed by the Lai and deliver prophecies.

Join the Laihui Ensemble as they present Lairemma, songs and dances in praise of the various Manipuri goddesses, recounting epic stories of creation and civilisation.