Ngaleima

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
Goddess of fish
Member of Lairembis
Goddess Ngaleima
Other names	Lemlei Ngaleima Lemlei Ngareima
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	Salailen (Soraren) (father)
Siblings	Phouoibi (Phouleima) Thumleima Ereima (Ireima)
Greek equivalent	Amphitrite
Roman equivalent	Salacia

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]

In popular culture

• Phou-oibi, the rice goddess is a 2009 ballad opera performed by the Laihui Ensemble. It is based on the story of the goddess and her sister Phouoibi.^[9][10]
• Phouoibi Shayon is a 2017 Manipuri mythology movie based on the story of the goddess and her sister Phouoibi.^[11][12][13]

Gallery

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Related pages

• Imoinu (Emoinu) - Meitei goddess of wealth
• Ireima (Ereima) - Meitei goddess of water
• Leimarel (Leimalel) - Meitei goddess of earth
• Panthoibi - Meitei goddess of civilization, love and warfare
• Phouoibi (Phouleima) - Meitei goddess of agricultural crops
• Thumleima - Meitei goddess of salt