Such is the power of a viral phrase that local businesses have begun capitalizing on it. In Imphal, you can now find:
Even mainstream Manipuri content creators have jumped on the bandwagon. A popular YouTube channel recently released a short film titled "Leiki Eteima Mathu" – a 12-minute silent film about two neighbors who haven't spoken in 15 years. The film ends with one of them posting a Facebook Story. It has over 500,000 views.
Not every “Leikai eteima mathu nabagi wari” is true. Many are fictional, written for fame. Some cross the line by using real girls’ photos without consent. This has led to cyberbullying and harassment in some leikais. leikai eteima mathu nabagi wari facebook story top
Of course, no viral trend is immune to criticism. Elders in many leikais have expressed concern. "Why is everyone celebrating silence and pain?" asked 67-year-old retired schoolteacher Oinam Tomba from Singjamei. "In my time, we solved problems by sitting together and talking. Now young people just post sad photos on Facebook and call it a top story."
Others argue that the overuse of the phrase has stripped it of its original poetic weight. What began as a haunting couplet about collective trauma has become a punchline for every minor inconvenience. Such is the power of a viral phrase
Yet, the trend persists. And in that persistence, perhaps there is a message: that even pain, when shared repeatedly in a digital neighborhood, becomes a form of bond.
Want to join the trend and potentially become top yourself? Follow this guide: Even mainstream Manipuri content creators have jumped on
In Meiteilon (Manipuri language), “Leikai Eteima” suggests something unparalleled within a locality. “Mathu Nabagi Wari” implies a narrative specifically addressing a known issue or incident. Together, they describe a story that:
Use a close-up of something symbolic — a khudei (traditional shawl) hanging, a bunch of lei (flowers), or a familiar leikai landmark.
Text overlay:
“Leikigi eteima — a story you never heard.”
Facebook remains the primary social platform in Manipur for long-form narrative, especially among 25+ age groups. Facebook Stories (vertical, 24-hour content) allow quick updates with text overlays, perfect for “leikai updates.” When a story hits “top,” it means cross-sharing between: