Phou Ningthou

This article is about the divine consort of Goddess Phouoibi. For the mortal lover of Phouoibi, see Akongjamba.

Phou Ningthou (Meitei: ꯐꯧ ꯅꯤꯪꯊꯧ, lit. 'king of unhusked rice') is a deity in Sanamahism, the indigenous religion of Manipur). He is the God and the divine male personification of the agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, rice paddies, rice and wealth.^[1][2] He is the consort of Phouoibi (Phouleima), the goddess of crops and agricultural fertility.^{[1][3][4][5][6][7]}

Phou Ningthou
God of agriculture, crops, fertility, grains, harvesting, rice[1]
Member of agricultural deities[1]
Other names	Phouningthou
Affiliation	Sanamahism
Abodes	Paddy fields and granaries
Symbol	Rice plant
Gender	Male
Region	Manipur)
Ethnic group	Meitei
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Consort	Phouoibi[1]

Worship

Phou Ningthou is worshipped with Phouoibi, the goddess of rice. Farmers prayed to the two deities for a doubling of the previous year's yield, after the harvest.^[1]

Phoukourol (Phoukouron or Phougourol or Phougouron) is a sacred hymn to call the spirit of the paddy. It is generally sung during harvesting.^[8][9] It is done before the harvested crops are stored in the grain house.^[10]

The Phou Kouba (calling the paddy/rice) ceremony is usually performed during mis-happenings to the farmers. Mis-happenings may be theft or burning of the paddy/rice, an animal like cow trespasses the threshing ground, etc. People perform the rites and rituals to induce the deity to stay at their places.^[10]

Sareng (Wallago attu, helicopter catfish) with rice is the most important offering to the deity. It should be cooked with herbs and not with spices.^[10]