Nganu Leima
Nganu Leima (/ngaa-noo lei-ma) or Nganureima (/ngaa-noo-rei-ma) is the goddess of ducks and other water birds in Meitei mythology and religion. She is a sister of goddesses Khunu Leima and Shabi Leima. Legend says that all three sisters married to the same mortal man.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
| Nganu Leima | |
|---|---|
Goddess of ducks and waterfowls | |
| Member of Lairembis | |
| Other names |
|
| Animals | ducks and waterfowls |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Manipur, Northeast India |
| Ethnic group | Meitei ethnicity |
| Festivals | Lai Haraoba |
| Personal information | |
| Parents | Salailen (Soraren) |
| Siblings | Khunu Leima and Shabi Leima |
Etymology
The Meitei female given name "Nganu Leima" (ꯉꯥꯅꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ) is made up of two component words. The two words are "Nganu" (ꯉꯥꯅꯨ) and "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ). In Meitei, "Nganu" (ꯉꯥꯅꯨ) means duck.[7] The word "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ) is further made up of two component words, "Lei" (ꯂꯩ) and "Ma" (ꯃ). "Lei" (ꯂꯩ) means land or earth. "Ma" (ꯃ) means "mother". Literally, "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ) can be translated as "Land Mother" or "Mother Earth". But in general context, "Leima" (ꯂꯩꯃ) means a queen or a mistress or a lady.[8]
Description
Goddess Nganu Leima is described as the mistress of all the ducks and the waterfowls of the world. At any moment, she could summon all the ducks and the waterfowls at any place she wishes. She is one of the daughters of God Salailen (alias Soraren).[9][5][10]
Related pages
- Imoinu (Emoinu) - Meitei goddess of wealth
- Ireima (Ereima) - Meitei goddess of water
- Leimarel (Leimalel) - Meitei goddess of earth
- Ngaleima - Meitei goddess of fish
- Panthoibi - Meitei goddess of civilization, love and warfare
- Phouoibi (Phouleima) - Meitei goddess of agricultural crops
- Thumleima - Meitei goddess of salt
References
- ↑ Eben Mayogee Leipareng. archive.org (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). 1995. p. 107.
- ↑ Folk Culture of Manipur - Page 7 - Moirangthem Kirti Singh · 1993
- ↑ Tal Taret. archive.org (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). 2006. p. 39.
- ↑ Tal Taret. archive.org (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). 2006. p. 43.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Manipuri Phungawari. archive.org (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). 2014. p. 202.
- ↑ Regunathan, Sudhamahi (2005). Folk Tales of the North-East. Children's Book Trust. ISBN 978-81-7011-967-8.
- ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Nganu". uchicago.edu. 2006.
- ↑ "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Leima". uchicago.edu. 2006.
- ↑ Tal Taret. archive.org (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). 2006. p. 46.
- ↑ Manipuri Phungawari. archive.org (in ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ). 2014. p. 203.
Bibliography
- Glimpses of Manipuri Culture - Dr. Yumlembam Gopi Devi
- The History of Manipur: An early period - Wahengbam Ibohal Singh · 1986