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{{Contains special characters|Meitei}}
{{Distinguish|Hiyang Hiren|Hiyang Tannaba|Hiyangthang Lairembi}}

{{Infobox folk tale
|Folk_Tale_Name = Hiyang Athouba<br />({{Script|Mtei|ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯑꯊꯧꯕ}})
|Image_Name     = 
|Image_Caption  = 
|Aarne-Thompson Grouping       = no
|AKA            = ''Heeyang Athouba, Hiyangthau'' or ''Hiyangthou ({{Script|Mtei|ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡꯊꯧ}})''
|Mythology      = [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]]
|Country        = {{IND}}
|Region         = [[ancient Kangleipak]] (early [[Manipur]])
|Origin_Date    = antiquity
|Published_In   = [[Meitei literature]]
|Related        = [[Lai Khutshangbi]], [[Yenakha Paotabi]], [[Hingchabi]]s, [[Helloi Taret]], etc.
}}

'''Hiyang Athouba ({{Script|Mtei|ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡ ꯑꯊꯧꯕ}})''', also written as '''Heeyang Athouba, Hiyangthau''' or '''Hiyangthou ({{Script|Mtei|ꯍꯤꯌꯥꯡꯊꯧ}})''', is a figure in [[Meitei mythology]] and [[Meitei folklore|folklore]] of [[ancient Kangleipak]] (early [[Manipur]]). It refers to a [[corpse]] that transforms into a [[demon]]-like,<ref name=":1" /> [[Monster|monstrous]],<ref>Sinha, Biswajit. Encyclopaedia of Indian Theatre. India: Raj Publications, 2000. p. 256.</ref><ref>Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. India: [[Sahitya Akademi]], 1988. p. 1576.</ref> or [[vampire]]-like being.<ref name=":3" /> [[Meitei folktales|Folktales]] in [[Meitei tradition]] describe numerous cases in which dead human bodies undergo such a [[transformation]]. A frequently told narrative describes the transformation of a woman who dies alone and becomes a Hiyangthau.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.465376|title=Funga Wari Vol. 3|last=Bemni|first=N.|publisher=Internet Archive; Digital Library of India|year=1999|location=India|pages=89|language=mni}}</ref><ref name=":1">BHOOTA GAPPA PART 3. 2025. p. 16.</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Hiyangthau Folktale By James Oinam|url=https://e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Folks.Folk_Tales.Hiyangthau_Folktale_By_James_Oinam|access-date=2025-11-25|website=e-pao.net}}</ref> It is considered as one of the [[Lai Phattaba]] beings or the [[evil spirits]] in [[traditional Meitei religion|traditional Meitei beliefs]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/dli.language.1325|title=Dictionary of Manipuri Medical Terms|last=Brahmacharimayum Kulachandra Sharma|publisher=Internet Archive; Digital Library of India|year=2007|location=India|pages=206}}</ref>

== Folkloric context ==

Within [[Meitei tradition]], the Hiyang Athouba is understood as a supernatural entity originating from a human corpse. Some stories describe the transformation as occurring when a dead body remains unattended and certain events—such as an animal, especially [[black cat]], passing over the corpse—take place. The transformed being is often said to appear in the likeness of the deceased person.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Synopsis of a traditional narrative ==

=== Separation of a couple ===

In one folktale, a poor married couple is forced to work continuously for daily sustenance. When the wife becomes pregnant, the husband advises her to rest and assumes full responsibility for earning food. He borrows money from a wealthy neighbour to support her for several months and then departs for a foreign land to seek further income. During his prolonged absence, the wife becomes increasingly worried as her resources diminish.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Illness, neglect, and death ===

The woman eventually falls ill and becomes bedridden. Neighbours initially assist her but later withdraw due to their own obligations and resentment towards the absent husband. Left unattended, the woman dies, and her body remains undiscovered in the house. According to the folktale, a cat jumps over the corpse, triggering her transformation into a Hiyangthau.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Husband’s return ===

Several days later, the husband returns at night carrying silver he has earned. When he calls for his wife, the Hiyangthau responds using her voice and invites him inside. He observes her in disordered clothing with unkempt hair and unusual behaviour. Upon noticing signs of her damaged body, he becomes frightened as she reveals enlarged teeth and stares at him with wide eyes. He flees the house.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Attempted escape ===

As he runs through the village, the husband pleads for neighbours to open their gates, but none respond because it is late at night. He climbs a liana to escape. The Hiyangthau is unable to touch the liana and throws stones at him before waiting below. At dawn, when birds begin to chirp, the entity returns to the house and reverts to a lifeless corpse.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

=== Discovery and cremation ===

The husband descends and informs the neighbours of the events. They accompany him to the house and discover the woman's body. A knowledgeable villager identifies the situation as a case of transformation into a Hiyangthau and warns that the corpse must be cremated immediately with appropriate ceremonies to prevent further reanimation.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

The neighbours arrange the funeral, and the husband performs the required rites. Filled with regret for leaving his wife alone, he demolishes the house, sells the land, and later departs on a pilgrimage, never returning to the village.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

== Cultural significance ==

The narrative illustrates themes of neglect, social responsibility, and supernatural retribution within Meitei folklore. It reflects local beliefs regarding death, improper care of the deceased, and the potential consequences of abandonment.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" />

== See also ==
* [[Traditional Meitei religion]]
* [[Yenakha Paodabi]]
* [[Lai Khutsangbi]]
* [[Lai Khadang Pandabi]]
* [[Keibu Keioiba]]
* [[Kei Onba water]]
* [[Helloi]]
* [[Hingchabi]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Notelist}}


[[Category:Meitei folklore]]
[[Category:Meitei mythology]]
[[Category:Vampires]]
[[Category:Fairy tales]]
[[Category:Children's literature]]
[[Category:Horror characters]]
[[Category:Monsters]]
[[Category:Demons]]
[[Category:Horror short stories]]
[[Category:Corpses]]
[[Category:Cats in literature]]
[[Category:Funerals in India]]
[[Category:Resurrection]]
[[Category:Sanamahism]]
[[Category:Evil deities]]
[[Category:Death of women]]
[[Category:Ghosts]]

{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Hiyang Athouba|access_date=2026-03-03}}