Kakhuigai
- Trekking the Path -

High School Textbook *

Once upon a time, there lived a woman in Lone village. She was expecting a baby soon. But her husband had died before she delivered her child.

One day, with a sham on her head, she went out to pick flowers and collect some firewood. On the way, she met a huge python. She was frightened. She could not move because of fear. The python was also surprised to see a human being.

Neither the widow nor the python moved for some time. A little later, the widow broke the silence, "O great python, I am a helpless woman. I cannot even hunt animals. If I had been a man I would have fought you."

Then she pleaded, "Let the child I am going to bear be a boy. When he grows up, he will fight you. Let his name be called Kakhuigai. When the time comes I'll bring him to you. Please wait till that time."

The python felt pity for the widow. It decided to wait for the time. The widow folded a piece of cloth and gave it to the python to lay its head on. The python crawled and rested its head on the folded cloth. The widow came back home happily.

Meeting with the Python

After a few days, the widow went to the spot to check whether the python was still there. To her surprise, she found that it was still there. Days and months passed and the widow finally gave birth to a son. The child was called Kakhuigai.

As the child grew up, the widow secretly went to see the python. It was still waiting for the boy to grow up and fight him. She thanked the python and said, "O revered python, with your blessings I have given birth to a son. His name is Kakhuigai. He is growing up. Please wait till he grows into a young man. When the time comes, I'll bring him to you."

Years passed. Kakhuigai grew into a strong young man.

One day, his mother called him and narrated the story of her encounter with the python. She told him about the promise that she had made to the python. Kakhuigai felt sad.

Seeing this, the widow said lovingly, "Kakhuigai, my dear son, don't worry. Consider yourself lucky. It is not an ordinary python; it is a spirit. You will not go alone. I will request the entire village to go with you. You will be accompanied by your kinsmen, uncles and cousins. We will take gifts and other offerings to the spirit. It will bless you." Assured by his mother, Kakhuigai felt happy.

From that day onwards, the widow brewed wine. She took the wine to the village elders and requested them to accompany her son when he went to meet the offerings - crushed ginger, sprouted paddy, herbs and wine. Along with the villagers they approached the python. The widow spoke, "O great python, I have brought my son along with offerings for you. Please accept them."

Kakhuigai made the offerings, spread a large piece of cloth over the python's head and prayed loudly, "O revered python, please lead me home." The python slowly raised its head and started to lead Kakhuigai and his mother. They were followed by the villagers.

When they reached the outskirts of the village, the python showed Kakhuigai the Pakhang-phan meant for the young unmarried males and the Leisa-phan meant for the young unmarried females. Initiating the rites, the python raised its head on a block of wood placed by the young man.

Then, Kakhuigai lifted its head with a pair of wooden tongs and prayed to show him the spot to lay his sword. Soon, the python showed him the spot. Kakhuigai beheaded the python and split its belly with a sharp knife. Inside its belly, he found a magic box.

Finishing the rituals, the python was cut into seven parts, cooked and eaten with a lot of merry-making in the entire village. Its head was hung on the threshold of Kakhuigai's home.

Because of the magic box, Kakhuigai grew richer day by day. He became a wealthy man and soon married the village chiefs daughter. The following year, his wife gave birth to a son. He was named Galsungsung.

A few years later, Kakhuigai's mother died. Soon, the magic box became an object of envy and all his relatives tried to steal it. They poisoned his family's food. Kakhuigai, his wife and child began to suffer from many diseases. Soon, Kakhuigai and his family died leaving the magic box behind.

But all his relatives fought over the box. It fell down on the ground and broke into pieces.

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* This is a Kabui folk tale retold and is part of text book prescribed for High School student in Manipur under Board of Secondar Education Manipur (BSEM). This was webcasted on October 06th, 2009.

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