Helloi

Helloi
Female nature spirit[1]
Seven Hellois
Other names	Heloi Lam Leima
Affiliation	Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Abodes	Forests, lakes, mountains, heaven
Number	Seven
Texts	PuYas
Gender	Female
Region	Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic group	Meitei ethnicity
Personal information
Parents	Salailen (Soraren) (father)
Greek equivalent	Nymphs,[2][3] Sirens

A Helloi (Meitei: ꯍꯦꯜꯂꯣꯢ) or a Heloi (Meitei: ꯍꯦꯂꯣꯢ) is a female nature spirit in Meitei mythology, folklore and religion.^[1][4] Hellois look like beautiful young women. They often trick men to have sex with them. They are the most powerful among the female spirits. They can cause diseases.^[1][5] The hellois are often known for their charming beauty, ecological balance and male submission (seduction).^[6] Hellois are sometimes seen as evil spirits in the forms of beautiful maidens.^[7]

Helloi Taret (lit. Seven Hellois) are the seven sisters. They stay in the thick bushes or dark and dense forests.^[8] They also live in other places of wilderness like rivers and meadows.^[4]

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a Traditional Society: Women of the Manipur Valley. Shakti Books. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
2. ↑ Saha, Ranajit Kumar (1994). Valley Society of Manipur: A Cultural Frontier of Indian Civilization. Punthi-Pustak. ISBN 978-81-85094-82-3.
3. ↑ Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1998). Recent Researches in Oriental Indological Studies: Including Meiteilogy. Parimal Publications.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Dr. Chirom Rajketan Singh; Sadananda Mayanglambam (2013). A collection of Essays in Manipuri Folklore. p. 129.
5. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society : women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
6. ↑ "Haloi Taret Dangerous Beauty Ecological Balance and Male Submission By Rubani Yumkhaibam". e-pao.net. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
7. ↑ Chaki-Sircar, Manjusri (1984). Feminism in a traditional society : women of the Manipur Valley. Internet Archive. New Delhi : Shakti Books ; New York : Distributed by Advent Books. p. 238. ISBN 978-0-7069-1967-7.
8. ↑ The Anthropologist: International Journal of Contemporary and Applied Studies of Man. Kamla-Raj Enterprises. 2003.