According to legend, he was once a skilful priest named Kabui Salang Maiba.

As punishment of his pride, he could not completely turn back to his original human form.

When Keibu Keioiba goes away for a hunt, Thabaton meet her brothers and they plan her escape.

[9]: 76 When Keibu Keioiba returns, Thabaton gives him a hollow utong (bamboo pipe) open at both ends.

She tells Keibu Keioiba to fetch water from the stream with the utong.

Keibu Keioiba returns home to find his son dead, his wife missing, and his house burnt to the ground.

[9]: 78 [10]: 59 In the 2009 Meitei language animated film Keibu Keioiba (Tiger Head), the character of Keibu-Kei-Oiba was uniquely designed to a humanoid tiger, which had to speak dialogues in human voices.

The facial structure of the character was twisted out of the normal shape of a real tiger to a little bit extend.