Samaton

Samaton
Divine ancestor ofMeitei horse(Manipuri pony)
Other names	Samadon Ayangba, Shamadon Ayangba, Samaton Ayangpa, Shamaton Ayangpa
Affiliation	Meitei mythology(Manipuri mythology) andMeitei religion(Sanamahism)
Major cult centre	Heingang hills
Abode	Heingang hill
Gender	Male
Region	Manipur
Festivals	Lai Haraoba
Personal information
Spouse	Ngangrubi
Equivalents
Greek equivalent	Pegasus

Samaton(/saa-ma-ton/) orSamadon(/saa-ma-don/) is amythicalwingeddivinehorse inMeitei mythology.He is one of the most recognised creatures inMeitei folklore.Legend says that Samaton is the ancestor of the present dayManipuri pony(Meitei horse).TheLeithak Leikharoldescribes Samaton as a primordial horse associated with Meitei cosmology.It is created bySanamahito attack onPakhangba.Later, it became the mounting creature of GodMarjing.It is also called"Shamadon Ayangba"(Meitei:ꯁꯃꯗꯣꯟ ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯕ) or"Shamaton Ayangpa"(Old Manipuri:ꯁꯃꯇꯣꯟ ꯑꯌꯥꯡꯄ) due to free variation of words inMeitei language(Manipuri language).

Samaton is praised in the ritual song ofOugrisung during theLai Haraobafestival. Samaton is considered very important toMeitei culturebecause it is created from the body of GodSanamahi.During the deification of Meitei kings, Samaton became associated with kings as it was a divine being. So, Samaton became the insignia of royalty.

In popular culture

• Hada Samadon Ayangbais a folk song sung byMangka Mayanglambam.The song was sung in theManipur Polo International 2014.It was also sung at the Sangai festival in the same year.

In heraldry

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Other websites

• Roy, L. Somi (2021-06-21).And That Is Why... Manipuri Myths Retold.Penguin Random House India Private Limited.ISBN978-93-91149-65-9.
• http://imh.org/exhibits/online/breeds-of-the-world/asia/manipuri-pony/