Every tribe has its legends—stories of valor, love, and heart-wrenching separations. Among the Rongmei Tribes of Manipur, there exists a beautiful folk tale that must be documented and passed down to future generations. The love saga of Meiriang and Lubuannei is found in oral history, and as such, variations in the storytelling may occur, depending on how accurately the tale has been conveyed.
I have made my best effort to preserve the essence of this saga as it was told to me. If there are any shortcomings or omissions, please inform me so that I can revise the article accordingly.
In the Tamenglong district of Manipur, there is a village called Buanruangluang. Here, two souls named Meiriang and Lubuannei lived, and they are still remembered to this day. Their love story is a favorite tale of the Rongmei tribes, which is now part of the Zeliangrong community.
Meiriang was an orphan who had to take care of himself from a young age. Lubuannei, who lost her father as a child, was raised by her mother. They were fond of each other from childhood, and Lubuannei’s mother treated Meiriang as her own son. They spent their time together, collecting firewood in the forest while Lubuannei’s mother worked in the fields.
One day, while gathering firewood, Meiriang asked, “Lubuannei, do you want to marry someone from our village or another village?”
Lubuannei looked away, silent. Meiriang, with a playful grin, teased, “Well, if you don’t decide, I’ll just have to find someone else to marry you off to.”
Lubuannei’s eyes flashed with a mix of frustration and affection as she bit his arm. “Ouch! What was that for?” Meiriang laughed, rubbing his arm. But in that moment, he realized her feelings mirrored his own.
As they grew up, Meiriang became a strong, respected man in the village. He was known for his physical abilities and sports skills. He was made the leader of the young men in the village, called the Khangchu. Lubuannei grew into a woman of good character and was known for her beauty.
One day, Muliangah, a man from a neighboring village, visited Buanruangluang. He was also a champion and wealthier than Meiriang. They decided to arm wrestle. Meiriang lost the first round but won the second. Muliangah was not happy and challenged him again. After a struggle, Meiriang won. Muliangah’s real reason for visiting was to see Lubuannei’s beauty. Soon after, Muliangah’s father asked for Lubuannei’s hand in marriage for his son. Lubuannei’s mother, knowing hardship, agreed to the match, thinking it would provide a better life for her daughter.
Lubuannei didn’t know about this arrangement.
Unaware of the arrangement, Lubuannei grew suspicious of Muliangah’s frequent visits. When the truth was revealed, she confronted her mother, her voice trembling with betrayal, “Mother, why didn’t you tell me? How could you decide this without asking me?”
Her mother, eyes filled with tears, pleaded, “Lubuannei, it’s for your own good. You’ll have a better life with Muliangah. If you don’t agree, I…I will end my life.”
Feeling trapped and helpless, Lubuannei’s heart ached. She sought solace in Meiriang. “Meiriang,” she said, her voice cracking, “my mother has arranged for me to marry Muliangah. I don’t know what to do.”
Meiriang’s face fell, and he took her hands in his, his eyes filled with sorrow. “Lubuannei, I wish things were different. But if this is the path fate has chosen for us, we must accept it. I will always cherish our memories.”
As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes, and he gently wiped away Lubuannei’s tears. “Remember, no matter where life takes us, a part of me will always be with you.”
The day of her departure arrived, and Lubuannei’s heart felt heavy with sorrow. She decided to pay Meiriang one final visit, but he was not there. Desperation filled her, and she encountered a woman on her way to the fields. “Please,” Lubuannei implored, “take this necklace to Meiriang. Tell him it’s my farewell gift.”
The woman nodded and took the necklace. When she reached the fields, she couldn’t find Meiriang and left the gift in the barn.
Later, as Meiriang paused from his work for lunch, he entered the barn and saw the necklace. His heart stopped, recognizing it as Lubuannei’s. Realizing she was gone, he dropped everything and raced back to the village, only to find it empty.
“Where is she?” he shouted, his voice filled with anguish. “Lubuannei!”
Frantically, he ran along the path to the neighboring village, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. His footsteps echoed his despair, each step heavier with the weight of impending loss.
“Lubuannei!” he called out, his voice breaking. “Lubuannei!”
In the distance, Lubuannei heard his desperate cries. Her heart shattered as she whispered to the wind, “Meiriang, I’m here! Please, don’t leave me!”
But the distance was too great. Meiriang, exhausted and defeated, fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. “I can’t reach you, Lubuannei. Our love wasn’t meant to be in this lifetime.”
Lubuannei, her own tears falling, whispered back, “I will always love you, Meiriang. Even if we are apart, my heart will forever be with you.”
Their voices, carried by the wind, lingered in the valleys and mountains, witnesses to their heart-wrenching separation. The mountains stood as silent sentinels, holding the echoes of their names—Meiriang and Lubuannei—bound by a love that dared to dream but was cruelly severed by fate.
Their love story, etched into the heart of the valley, would forever be remembered by the whispered winds and the echoing mountains, a tale of devotion and heartache that time could never erase.
Today, the mountains of Buanruangluang stand tall, guarding the timeless tales of love and loss. The gentle rivulet flows endlessly, whispering the names of Meiriang and Lubuannei as it winds through the village. The same village roads, once trodden by the two young lovers, still exist, echoing their laughter and playful footsteps.
These places bear silent witness to the enduring legacy of Meiriang and Lubuannei. Every stone, every tree, every bend in the path seems to hold a piece of their story, recounting the joy and the heartbreak they endured. The mountains, the rivulet, and the village roads have become storytellers, passing on the legend of the two lovers to each new generation.
The winds carry their names, and the valleys resonate with the echoes of their love—a love that was deep, pure, and tragically cut short. The painful story of their separation lingers, a poignant reminder that even the most beautiful love stories can end in heartache. Yet, the enduring memory of Meiriang and Lubuannei remains etched into the heart of the valley, a testament to a love that transcended time and fate.
Thus, the land itself preserves the saga of Meiriang and Lubuannei, ensuring that their tale of devotion, longing, and ultimate separation is never forgotten. The mountains, the rivulet, and the village roads continue to tell their story, a story that will forever be a part of Buanruangluang’s heritage.
Image credit – Instagram @rongmeigallery
(C) Naorem Mohen
The Writer can be reached at Twitter @laimacha
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