Meitei traditional fishing

Fishing () is one of the Meitei intangible cultural heritage of Manipur and other Meitei populated areas of Assam, Tripura of India as well as of Bangladesh and Myanmar.
Meitei people (also known as Manipuris) fish in lakes, rivers, swamps, and marshy areas. Fishing is an important part of their daily life. They use many traditional fishing methods that develop over time.
In early times, people also fished by building fishing weirs and using traps. Old texts mention that kings constructed royal fishing weirs and appointed fishery officers to manage fishing grounds. Nongban Kadem, from the Angom clan, served King Ura Konthouba (c. 568 CE) and built fishing weirs and traps.
In ancient Manipur, different groups of people lived in various areas. Each group tried to control important fishing places, which often led to conflicts over fishing rights in rivers and streams.
### Fishing during Luwang Chief Shapaiba's time 
During Luwang Chief Shapaiba's rule, Lamphel Shoy Weir was built to catch fish and trap animals. He also created two areas to farm Ngaroi fish (Crossocheilus burmanicus hora). Mkubi Shoy was made for fishing under the guidance of Luwang Salai Hanba.
Nambul Shoy was given as a gift to Yumburembi of Kanglei when she married Thangyi Ningthouba of Luwang. Their oldest son, Pathang Ahanba, managed it.
* Ngācang (ꯉꯥꯆꯡ, /ŋá.cə́ŋ/) denotes the quantity of fish caught within a basketlike fishing trap. Morphologically, "ngā-" (fish) and "‑cang" (to enter) describe its functional use.
* Longthrai: This is a scoop net made of nylon. It has a round bamboo frame and a bamboo handle. The net has a wide, round opening and becomes narrow at the end. It is used in shallow water like small streams.
Traditional fishermen follow specific rules when using traps, as described by Bira Singh:

### Khoishang-Thaba (Long Line Fishing) 
This is an important fishing method used by men throughout the year. It involves a long thread, 90–100 meters long, with multiple hooks tied to it at 2-meter intervals. Before starting, the fishing area of the lake is cleaned. The long line is operated from a boat, and one end of the thread is tied to a bamboo pole. The hooks are baited with lures, and the fishing is set in the evening. Fishermen collect the fish the next morning.

### Khamba Thoibi 
Fishing in Loktak Lake serves as the central theme in the epic narrative of the Khamba Thoibi. Princess Thoibi invited Khamnu to fish with her in the lake as part of a celebratory gathering of women. The King issued strict orders prohibiting men from entering the lake during the event.
Khamnu informed her brother Khamba about the prohibition and left him at home. During his sleep, Khamba dreamed of Goddess Panthoibi, who appeared in Khamnu's guise and urged him to prepare vegetables. Upon waking, Khamba reflected on the dream, and God Thangjing assured him it was genuine. Khamba proceeded to the lake, boarded a boat, and rowed in the wrong direction, prompting Thangjing to shroud the hills with clouds.
A storm redirected Khamba's boat to the area where Thoibi and the women were fishing. Thoibi noticed Khamba nearby and questioned Khamnu about the man who had defied the King's orders. Khamnu denied knowing him.
As Khamba approached, Thoibi admired his well-crafted appearance, and Khamba was equally captivated by Thoibi's beauty. The divine will of God orchestrated their encounter, leading to mutual love.

### Sandrembi Chaisra 
In the story of Sandrembi Chaisra, two widows made their living by selling vegetables in the market and fishing at Shilempat (Shilem Lake). Sangkhuleima, the younger widow, often tried to harm Yangkhuleima, the elder widow. One day, while fishing at the lake, Yangkhuleima caught many types of fish, whereas Sangkhuleima only caught snakes and reptiles but no fish at all.
 catching fish and other creatures in the Meitei folktale of Sandrembi Chaisra]]

## In popular culture 
* Loktak Lairembee (movie), a Meitei documentary movie

## Gallery 

File:Classical Meitei sculptures of ancient Meitei fishermen using different indigenous Meitei fishing instruments & tools to catch fish 01.jpg
File:A figure of an ancient Meitei fisherman (wearing a Khudei) trying to catch fish using a traditional Meitei wooden (bamboo) basket like cage (known as "long-oop" or "long-up" in Classical Meitei language) — MMRC, Thoubal, Kangleipak.jpg
File:An artwork of a Meitei woman riding on a wooden boat & trying to catch fish using a fishing net having bamboo pole & frames, using one of her hands & both legs with another hand holding an oar — MMRC, Thoubal district, Kangleipak.jpg
File:A carving of an ancient Meitei woman (wearing red coloured phanek & yellow kokkhum) trying to catch fish using different traditional Meitei baskets & cages made of wooden, bamboo & kouna reeds — MMRC, Thoubal district, Kangleipak.jpg
File:A model of a Meitei woman riding on a wooden boat & trying to catch fish using a fishing net having bamboo pole & frames, using one of her hands & both legs with another hand holding an oar — MMRC, Thoubal district, Kangleipak.jpg

## Related pages 
* Loktak Folklore Museum
* Lai Haraoba
* Meitei martial arts
* Meitei traditional games
* Meitei traditional toys
* Meitei traditional weapons

## References