Ngaleima

Ngaleima
Goddess of fish
Member of Lairembis
Goddess Ngaleima
Other names
  • Lemlei Ngaleima
  • Lemlei Ngareima
Meitei
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
AbodeUnderwater world
AnimalsFish
SymbolFish
TextsPuYas
GenderFemale
RegionAncient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur)
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Personal information
Parents
Siblings
Greek equivalentAmphitrite
Roman equivalentSalacia
Meitei gods and goddesses
series
A tableau of Manipur representing a scene from Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology)
Celestial deities
Chthonic deities

Lemlei Ngaleima (Old Manipuri: ꯂꯦꯝꯂꯩ ꯉꯥꯂꯩꯃ, romanized: lem-lei ngaa-lei-ma, lit. 'fish goddess') or Ngareima (Meitei: ꯉꯥꯔꯩꯃ, romanized: ngaa-rei-ma) is the goddess and the divine female personification of the fishes and the aquatic life in Meitei mythology and religion (Sanamahism) of Ancient Manipur (Antique Kangleipak).[1][2][3][4] She is a sister (or friend) of the goddesses, Phouoibi, Thumleima and Ereima (Ireima).[1][2][3][4]

Etymology

The Meitei female given name "Ngaleima" (ꯉꯥꯂꯩꯃ) is made up of two words. The two words are "Nga" (ꯉꯥ) and "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ). "Nga" (ꯉꯥ) has multiple meanings. It may mean to incline or to lean in verbal form. It means fish in noun form. Here, the word "Nga" (ꯉꯥ) refers to "fish".[5] The word "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ) means queen, mistress or lady.[6]

Myths

Menstrual blood, charoo (hay, dried paddy stalks), hentak (edible fish paste), sumjit (broom) are considered unholy to Goddess Ngaleima.[7] So, if there is an adverse entry of fish into the fishing nets, the presence of menstruating woman is highly suspected at the spot, especially on the floating dam.[7] Other suspicious reasons are the dropping down of the charoo (hay, dried paddy stalks) or hentak (edible fish paste) or sumjit (broom) by people out of jealousy into the place.[7]

Ancient Meitei Goddess Ngaleima — Divine Queen & Mother Goddess of all the fishes in the world

Association with other deities

Further information: Incarnations of Leimarel Sidabi

Goddess Ngaleima (Ngareima) is considered to be one of the divine manifestations of Leimarel (Leimalel), the supreme mother earth goddess. It is said that Leimalel becomes Ngaleima when she is in the fish yard.[8]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Devi, Lairenlakpam Bino (2002). The Lois of Manipur: Andro, Khurkhul, Phayeng and Sekmai. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-849-5.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Session, North East India History Association (2003). Proceedings of North East India History Association. The Association.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Eastern Anthropologist. Ethnographic and Folk Culture Society, U.P. 1974.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bahadur), Sarat Chandra Roy (Rai (1970). Man in India. A. K. Bose.
  5. ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Nga". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  6. ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Leima". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 ACL-CPL 00128 Man In India Vol.50 1970 Oct-Dec.
  8. ↑ Singh, L. Bhagyachandra (1991). A Critical Study Of The Religious Philosophy. p. 73.
  9. ↑ "Laihui Ensemble Manipur – Phou-oibi, the Rice Goddess to perform at Esplanade Theatre Studio Singapore". www.manipur.org.
  10. ↑ "Phou-Oibi, the Rice Goddess by Laihui Ensemble". sgmagazine.com.
  11. ↑ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar : 01st apr17 ~ E-Pao! Headlines". e-pao.net.
  12. ↑ "Phouoibi Shayon to be shown at Shankar – Manipur News".
  13. ↑ Gurumayum, Maheshwar. "Film Release - Imphal Times". www.imphaltimes.com. Archived from the original on 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2021-01-27.

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