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Ngamu

RELEASING NGAMU IN WETLAND SYSTEMS IN MANIPUR

AN INDIGENOUS TRADITION

"The Universal/Cosmic Evolution and the creations of the Global beings as embodied in Meetei traditions however based on mythology are the ancestral developments to foresee the Astro-Geoic interrelations posed on Mythological Experimentation for the naturalization of Global environment to make an effectiveness on Bio-diversity conversations that will occur as par changing circumstances on Astro-Physics and geo metamorphism." It is worth saying.

Forexample, quoting from the verse in the Meetei Laiharaorol, the Salairal Sidaba, the supreme as well as neverdying body of divinity which in turns transforms the Lainingthou "Sanamahi" meaning the divine selfness evolving the supreme heated liquid, that glow in maximum temperature on one hand and the spreading fluid of intense energy alike, needs to be analyzed in terms of Astro-geoic physics.

To emphasize, Meetei traditions " Salairen Sidaba formed Nine Laipungthous and Lai Nura Taret" can be analogised as that of the scientific discovery of Nine Major planets rotating round the Sun and Lai Nura Taret as the seven colours of Rainbow as dispersed from the solar white light.

It is worth saying that the verses of Meetei ancestors are from time uncountable whereas scientific discoveries are of latter ones.

Along with these, the Ngamu Thaba/Ngamu Ushingshiba, the so-called ancestral tradition as practiced from the time immemorable is having scientific implication on Bio-diversity conservation. In today's development, the earthy beings including human ones are seriously affected by the imbalances caused in the Global scenario which is the gift of scientific discoveries and inventions and that of the ignorance of natural environments that have been existing since her nature. Today all are coming forward to conserve all leaving beings, plants and animals including aquatics and also to preserve for conserving Bio-diversity as a global problem.

Here comes, the Meetei Ngamu Thaba or Ushin Shinba as a Meetei tradition implying to Bio-diversity conservation of the present movement.

What is Ngamu-Thaba:-
Nga-Thaba has been implying with a specific species of fish named Ngamu (Orientalis Schneilder) representing for all species of fishes as per its good health, longevity and energetic naturally. The Ngamu is allowed to flee in water with cultural verse or Rhymes with some process on specific dates, events and occurrences in the Lunar Calendar.

Different Norms:-
The Meetei have been practising the Nga-Thaba, Ngamu-Ushinshiba in three different norms according to time and situations: -

Meetam Ngamu Thaba: During a Meetei Marriage ceremony, it has been in vogue from time uncountable, leting two fishes Ngamu to flee in a pond or river water at the moment the bride and bridegroom are adorned with blessing materials known as Kujapot on their palms overlapping on one another to tighten them for happy and cordial living in future life. This process is known as Meetam Nga-Thaba.

Ushin Nga-Thaba: As a traditional faith in culture, one Ngamu of greater energetic and healthy of matured stage is set in water to substitute for a man in bad health or illness so that the man may be free from all sorrowing as that of the Ngamu thaba is Known as Ushin Nga-thaba.

Chahong-Ngahong Nga-thaba: However there occurs some variations in different villages or state substituting for masses so that man can survive in future well as the fishes do in good and congenial water. This is also associated with a verse or cultural rhyme of one Maiba or man having background knowledge of this. It is connected with Shingtek-Shingthaba.

The process can be counted as a means of preserving the living aquatic species, not only the Ngamu for keeping up the Bio-diversity conservation.

Why Ngamu is selected as special fish species?

Ngamu is associated with the creation theory of the Meetei traditions, culture and sayings. Ngamu is believed to be formed by nature before human beings on Earth.

Ngamu as an indigenous fish is strong, healthy, and energetic.

Ngamu is highly dispersive with aquatic numbers in birth.

Ngamu is nutritious for health. This fact of the fish has been revealed through research analysis very recently.

Dieting the Ngamu before setting free: -
The Ngamu fish is given one pair of unboiled rice, one red and another white in its mouth. The two representing the sun and the earth also known or as "Sana-lupa Konyai Chanba" interpreting the existence of life under the influence of the Astro-geoic interaction. On the other hand, a minimum diet is supplied for existence.

Some Selected Cultural flows of the Meetei:-
The Meetei of the north east India, Sino-Tibetan tribes of the people having distinct language, script and culture have been practicing as their culture to maintain natural environment and for a bio-diversity conserve since time uncountable.

This is revealed from the following few practices:

Preservation and protection of forest, flora and fauna by observing and worshipping Umang Lai, their ancestors.

Protection and preservation of River, lakes etc. Under Lairam Eram, as may be quoted from Tutenglon the old books of the Meeteis.

For conserving Bio-diversity, different lives are set free as unavoidable cultural process such as Yenhingthaba, Khunu thaba, Ngamu thaba, Kao-thaba etc.

Especially in Moirang Kangleirol, it was in vogue to hunt 100 species of fishes and 100 species of animals for worshipping Ibudhou Thangjing God. It can be interpreted as a census of fish and animals to remember the different species and conserve them as well.

Conclusion:

Ngathaba is a process of conserving the Bio-diversity that has been and well be occurring through different areas of human development although the process are in the form of mytho-experimentation. It is a pride for us to see the white and red rice given to the fish on the plea that time is the resultant effect of the heaven and earth and undergoing a psycho physique reaction in all human brains.

In the month of Lamda (March) month in Meiteilon, the collective Ushin Ngathaba is found performing specially on the 1^st Saturday of lamda under the title of " Lamda Thangja Ahanba". The Lamda is believed as the month during which earth is habited with male-god and female goddess along with seven goddess from heaven. It can be analyses as that Manipur is in the Northern Hemisphere around the northern Tropics. The summer season commences with pleasant sunlight, changing from cold winter. It is a good time for this area. Not only this, this Lamda month is connected with folklore of this Land in different angles. Hence Lamda month is specially selected as linked with others scientifically. New summer monsoon rain will come, benefiting for rearing the fishes.

Almost all-cultural process of the Meeteis can be analyzed scientifically with special emphasis on Bio-diversity conservation.

Hence Meetei Ngamu thaba Thouram.

Courtesy: Dr RK Ranjan
Secretary
Manipur Association for Science & Society (MASS)
INTEGRATION HOUSE, Dolphin Road,
Palace Compound, Imphal - 795001

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