Meitei fish goddess From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Ngaleima | |
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Goddess of fish | |
Member of Lairembis | |
Other names |
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Meitei | |
Affiliation | Meitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism) |
Abode | Underwater world |
Animals | Fish |
Symbol | Fish |
Texts | PuYas |
Gender | Female |
Region | Ancient Kangleipak (Antique Manipur) |
Ethnic group | Meitei ethnicity |
Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
Personal information | |
Parents |
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Siblings | |
Greek equivalent | Amphitrite |
Roman equivalent | Salacia |
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]
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]
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]
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