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 Shapi Leima. Legend says that all three sisters married to the same mortal man.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Not to be confused with Ngaleima.
Nganu Leima
Goddess of ducks and waterfowl
Member of Lairembis
Depiction of Nganu Leima
Other names
  • Nganuleima
  • Nganureima
AffiliationMeitei mythology (Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion (Sanamahism)
Animalsducks and waterfowls
Symbolsducks and waterfowls
GenderFemale
RegionManipur, Northeast India
Ethnic groupMeitei ethnicity
FestivalsLai Haraoba
Personal information
ParentsSalailen (Soraren)
SiblingsKhunu Leima and Shapi Leima
Term
EnglishNganu Leima
Ancient Meiteiꯉꯥꯅꯨ ꯂꯩꯃ
(ngaa-noo lei-ma)
Modern Meiteiꯉꯥꯅꯨꯔꯩꯃ
(ngaa-noo-rei-ma)
Assameseঙানু লৈমা / ঙানুৰৈমা
(ngaa-noo lei-ma / ngaa-noo-rei-ma)
Bengaliঙানু লৈমা / ঙানুরৈমা
(ngaa-noo lei-ma / ngaa-noo-rei-ma)
Hindiङानू लैमा / ङानु लैम
(ngaa-noo lei-ma)
Sanamahism
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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

Nganu Leima is described as the mistress of all the ducks and waterfowl of the world. At any moment, she could summon all the ducks and waterfowl at any place she wishes. She is one of the daughters of the sky god Salailen (alias Soraren).[9][5][10]

See also

References
  1. Eben Mayogee Leipareng (in Manipuri). 1995. p. 107 – via archive.org.
  2. Folk Culture of Manipur - Page 7 - Moirangthem Kirti Singh · 1993
  3. Tal Taret (in Manipuri). 2006. p. 39 – via archive.org.
  4. Tal Taret (in Manipuri). 2006. p. 43 – via archive.org.
  5. Manipuri Phungawari (in Manipuri). 2014. p. 202 – via archive.org.
  6. Regunathan, Sudhamahi (2005). Folk Tales of the North-East. Children's Book Trust. ISBN 978-81-7011-967-8.
  7. "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Nganu". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  8. "Learners' Manipuri-English dictionary.Leima". uchicago.edu. 2006.
  9. Tal Taret (in Manipuri). 2006. p. 46 – via archive.org.
  10. Manipuri Phungawari (in Manipuri). 2014. p. 203 – via archive.org.

Bibliography
  • Glimpses of Manipuri Culture - Dr. Yumlembam Gopi Devi
  • The History of Manipur: An early period - Wahengbam Ibohal Singh · 1986
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