Nganu Leima
Goddess of ducks and waterfowl
Member of Lairembis
Depiction of Nganu Leima
Other names	Nganuleima Nganureima
Affiliation	Meitei mythology ( Manipuri mythology) and Meitei religion ( Sanamahism)
Animals	ducks and waterfowls
Symbols	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 Shapi Leima

Part of a series on
Meitei mythology
Deities Atingkok Haoreima Ichum Lairembi Imoinu Irai Leima Irai Ningthou Khamlangba Khuman Pokpa Khunu Leima Khamnung Kikoi Louonbi Khoriphaba Konthoujam Tampha Lairembi Korouhanba Koupalu Koujeng Leima Kounu Laikhurembi Lainaotabi Leimarel Sidabi Lok Ningthou Loyalakpa Marjing Mongba Hanba Ngaleima Nganu Leima Nungthel Leima Nongpok Ningthou Nongshaba Nongthang Leima Pakhangba Panam Ningthou Panthoibi Phou Ningthou Phouoibi Pisatao Pureiromba Salailen Sanamahi Shapi Leima Shopkeeping Goddesses Taoroinai Thangching Thongak Lairembi Thongalen Thumleima Wangpulen Yangtoupa and Yangtoupi Yumjao Leima
Heroes and heroines Akongjamba Henjunaha and Lairoulembi Kadeng Thangjahanba and Tonu Laijinglembi Khuman Khamba Khuyol Haoba and Yaithing Konu Ura Naha Khongjomba and Pidonnu Wanglen Pungdingheiba and Sappa Chanu Silheibi
Mythical creatures Helloi Kanglā Shā Kao Keibu Keioiba Lai Khutshangbi Poubi Lai Yenakha Paotapi
Related Numit Kappa Dragons Epic cycles of incarnations Meitei folklore Hiyang Hiren Laishang Puya Sanamahism
Myths portal
v t e

Part of a series on
Sanamahism
Category
Primordial deities
Atingkok Leimalel Sanamahi Pakhangpa Koupalu Malching Thangching Wangpulel
Saiyon Langgon
Lan Leima Phouleima
Religious texts
Sanamahi Laihui Panthoipi Khongkul Leisemlon
Religious Symbolism
Holy language Ancient Meitei language Sacred plants U Ningthou Tailen Langthalei
Ancient Sites in Manipur
Kangla Keke Moilang Khuman Leipaak Meitei temples
List of figures in Meitei mythology
Laiyam Nongshapa Nongthang Leima
Religious roles
Maipa Maipi
Religious buildings & institutions
Thangching Laishang Hiyangthang Lailempi Laipham
Religious festivals
Cheilaopa Emoinu Elaatpa Lai Halaopa Mela Chaolel Houpa Mela Hou Chongpa Panthoipi Elatpa Sanamahi Ahong Khong Chingpa
Lai Halaopa and its holy dances
Maipi thoukal Keke Moilang Khampa Thoipi Chatkoi
Sanamahism & other religions
Animism Paganism Shamanism Polytheistic religions
Related topics
Puya Mei Thapa
v t e

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]}

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

• Ireima ( Ereima), Meitei goddess of water
• Ngaleima, Meitei goddess of fish

References

Bibliography

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

External links

Look up Nganu Leima in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• "The Widow's Son :: Lukhrabi Macha Fungawari Singbul by B. Jayantakumar Sharma". e-pao.net.