Kabui (Inpui) Salang Maiba and the Slaughter of Poubi Lai (Python)

 

Poubi Lai, an incarnation of Ebudhou Nongda Lairen Pakhangba. Poubi Lai was a two-horned, fire blowing giant python. The python was killed by Kabui Salang Maiba. There could be many versions of the story as it is reconstructed from different books by different authors.

Long ago, the inhabitants of Moirang, Luwang and Khuman principalities badly muddied the waters of Loktak lake in their attempt to catch hundreds of fishes each. Nongda Lairen Pakhangba was enraged by this act and decided to teach the people of Moirang, Luwang, and  Khuman settling around Loktak Lake a lesson. He took the form of a giant two-horned fire blowing python called Poubi Lai. The infuriated Poubi Lai hunted and ate the fishermen in Loktak Lake. 

These incidences were reported to the king of Moirang by his deputies. When King of Moirang came to meet Poubi Lai, the python told him to offer a Sangbai of rice and a human being daily as his food. If the king failed to fulfill these wishes, there will be death and destruction in the three principalities. The King of Moirang agreed and an arrangement was made where each household will offer one sangbai of rice and a person for a day turn by turn.

Days passed and Poubi Lai was kept in check with the daily offerings. One day the turn came for the family consisting of a mother and the son of the deceased Leiteng Eshing Chaiba, the once-trusted deputy of Moirang king to give the offerings. As days drew near Chahul Leirong Apanba remembered his late father and close family friend Kabui Tomba of Tamang village popularly known as Kabui Salang Maiba. Khwai Langmei, wife of Leiteng Esing Chaiba, and the wife of Kabui Salang Maiba were close friends as well. As close family friends, Apanba, the orphan went to seek the help of Kabui Salang Maiba to help him escape this offering and defeat Poubi Lai.

Upon reaching Kabui Salang Maiba residence, the Maiba, and his wife showed Apanba the stone-carved tools used by his father and trees that he had planted. They also arranged food and vegetables for Langmei, his mother. After narrating the story Kabui Salang Maiba and Apanba descended from the hills and went to Moirang. On their way, Salang Maiba narrated the stories of his family. The Maiba also brought along a seven-fold pointed spear made on seven Saturdays.

The neighbours were crying and grieving at the home of Khwai Langmei. In the middle of this commotion, a servant of the King arrived and asked Langmei to come along with them as his time has come to make the offerings for Poubi Lai. Khwai Langmei requested them to wait for some time as her son who went to meet Kabui Salang Maiba is yet to return. She wanted to meet her son and bid farewell before she sacrifices her life for Poubi Lai. In the meantime, Kabui Salang Maiba and Apanba reached home. On seeing Kabui Salang Maiba, Langmei cried an ocean of tears.

The Maiba told Langmei and Apanba that he won’t allow any of them to be the food offering of Poubi Lai and that he is here to confront Poubi Lai- the python.

He said, “I know the background of Poubi Lai and Poubi Lai most certainly knows mine. I will kill him and end the sufferings of the people of Moirang, Luwang and Khuman. If not, I will die and meet my dear friend in kingdom of gods.” He further directed Apanba to take the sangbai of rice to the bank of Loktak lake for him eat there. After putting the sangbai of rice on Apanba’s head, they left for Loktak lake.

The King of Moirang, his servants and the people watched the whole episode unfolded in their own eyes and speculated whose turn it will be tomorrow. Kabui Salang Maiba and Apanba reached the bank of Loktak Lake. On reaching the lake, they placed the rice properly on a santhel. Then Maiba told Apanba to leave for home as his mother will be worried of him. People from Morang, Luwang, and Khuman started coming in large numbers to see the confrontation between Kabui Salang Maiba and Poubi Lai. 

Maiba sat on the banks of Loktak Lake eating the rice calmly. During noon, Poubi Lai emerged from Loktak, splashing huge waves shaking the earth.  His demonic movement, roar, and breath killed many birds and fishes. 

He was all the more enraged after seeing the unconcerned nature of Kabui Salang Maiba even in his presence. Maiba said, “Listen Poubi Lai, on this day. Let my courage and strength be known. I am a man. You are also a man. I swear upon my ancestors (seven generations, each from my father’s and mother’s sides of the family). I will kill you. If you can, kill me”. 

Kabui Salang Maiba swears again. “I am a village headman, my father was also one”. Looking around he went towards Luwang Longjin and started emitting waves of fire. The fire from Maiba and Poubi Lai emblazoned the whole surrounding as if two suns were shining brightly. Poubi Lai charged in an attempt to engulf the Maiba. In the midst of the flame, Kabui Salang Maiba took out a sevenfold pointed spear and attacked Poubi Lai. On being attacked Poubi Lai roared in pain and slithered away. Maiba pursued the python with the spear. 

Wounded by sword and spear, Poubi Lai came out of the water on the banks of Loktak Lake. His roars and screams terrified the people around. After struggling for some time, Poubi Lai was defeated by the Kabui village chief- Kabui Salang Maiba. His carcass lay on the bank of Loktak lake like a small hill. The king of Moirang, Luwang, Khuman came to see the lifeless Poubi Lai, and in order to prevent contagion, the carcass of Poubi Lai was thrown inside the Loktak Lake.

This story was translated from Manipuri (Meiteilon) for Antrimwanbut Khwan by Karam Bidyanath, Research Scholar, JNU.

Reference: Haokha Lokkha (Koubru na Lemfu ni Kanglana Khoidauni) by Thanghi Mangkisana

History points to the fact that Kabui Salang Maiba was Inpui and not Rongmei. The Inpuis are settled in various districts of Manipur (Tamenglong, Noney, Senapati, Imphal West, etc.,) and in some parts of Nagaland.

A translation of the story will be made available in Inpui (Kabui) Naga very soon.