Laiphadibi

Laiphadibi (ꯂꯥꯏꯐꯗꯤꯕꯤ), also known as Laiphadabi (ꯂꯥꯏꯐꯗꯕꯤ) or Laidhibi (ꯂꯥꯏꯙꯤꯕꯤ) or Laidhabi (ꯂꯥꯏꯙꯕꯤ) or Laidhi (ꯂꯥꯏꯙꯤ), refers to the traditional Meitei handmade dolls, usually made of clothes and straws. It is one of the masterpieces of the Meitei handicrafts. These dolls play crucial roles in different elements of Meitei culture, including but not limited to Meitei dances, Meitei festivals, Meitei folklore, Meitei folktales, Meitei history, Meitei literature, Meitei mythology, Meitei proverbs, traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism), etc.

These traditional Meitei dolls, or laidhibi, start as toys but also become an important part of rituals. They are treated as if they are living spirits, with own feelings, referring to them as ‘Ita’ (ꯏꯇꯥ), which means ‘a female companion’.

The laidhibi dolls has changed a lot since it was first made from old clothes. The early versions sold commercially wore tonga-phanek and lai-phi (clothes meant for the gods). Later, dolls wore simple potloi without decorations. Now, dolls in the market often copy the costumes and jewelry from the raslila dance. The simple doll has evolved into a much more detailed one, wearing potloi and boswan.

The Koktumbi dolls, with a thin, transparent veil, are especially popular with tourists visiting Manipur. These dolls have a conical cap on their head instead of hair or other decorations. They are unique and became well-known because of the raslila dance.

When the British people came to Manipur in the late 19th century, they discovered the local handicrafts, and traditional Meitei dolls were some of the first items they took back. Over time, the doll changed from being an important part of religious rituals and toys for children into a showpiece and souvenir.

Popular dolls are made based on characters like Khamba and Thoibi, the famous lovers from Meitei stories, Sandrembi and Chaisra, the good and evil sisters from Meitei folktales, and Radha and Krishna, the eternal lovers from the raslila in Hinduism. There are also dolls representing different ethnic communities of Manipur, bride and groom dolls, goddesses, fishing women, and even Disney princesses like Cinderella.