Ngaleima

Lemlei Ngaleima () or Ngareima () 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). She is a sister (or friend) of the goddesses, Phouoibi, Thumleima and Ereima (Ireima).

 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". The word "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ) means queen, mistress or lady.

 Myths 
Menstrual blood, charoo (hay, dried paddy stalks), hentak (edible fish paste), sumjit (broom) are considered unholy to Goddess Ngaleima. 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. 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.


 Association with other deities 

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.

 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.
 Phouoibi Shayon is a 2017 Manipuri mythology movie based on the story of the goddess and her sister Phouoibi.

 Gallery 

 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

 References 

 Other websites 

 Ngaleima_archive.org

Category:Meitei gods and goddesses
Category:Leima
Category:Gods and goddesses of water
Category:Virgin goddesses