TODAY -

Common Indigenous Fishes of Manipur

Khuman *

 Annual Fish Fair / Fish Crop Competition at Hapta Kangjeibung :: 26th October 2022
Annual Fish Fair / Fish Crop Competition at Hapta Kangjeibung on 26th October 2022 :: Pix - Shanker Khangembam



Manipur's wealth includes its scenic surroundings full of precious gifts of Mother's Nature. World knows this picturesque state for its natural resources, culture, tradition, art forms and history. For all these significances and natural resources it is worth to describe the land as "JEWEL OF INDIA".

A visit to this beautiful state will display its indigenous culture and traditions. Meitei/Meetei is the major community living and there are also many communities here. It is worth to enjoy and experience the local life, cuisine and culture during a visit to the state. Here writing about one of the most interesting and new to the reader i.e. common indigenous fishes of Manipur.

FISH is called NGA in Manipuri language. Especially for the Meitei community FISH is a regular food item. Indigenous cuisines of Meitei namely Kangsoi, Eromba and Morok Metpa are prepared with Ngari (fermented fish).

Ngari is made by sun drying and fermenting Phabounga (Sl. No. 22) in Kharung (Big Earthen Pot) for 4 (four) to 12 (twelve) months.

Some of the lip-smacking indigenous cuisines of Meitei made with fish are Ngakup Thongba, Nga Taothong, Nga Toithong or Nga Atoiba Thongba, Nganam and Smoked Fish (Nga Ayaiba).

Apart from Fish in Indigenous Cuisines it also played an important role in the culture of Meitei community.

Sl. No. Local Name Scientific Name Common Name
1. Khabak Labeo dero Kalabans
2. Muka Nga Amblypharyngodon mola (Hamilton) Indian Carpet Mola
3. Nailon Ngamu Glossogobius giuris (Hamilton) Bar Eyed Gody
4. Ngachik Heteropneutes fossilis (Bloch) Stinging Catfish
5. Ngahei Eutropiichthys vacha (Hamilton) Vaccha
6. Ngakha Pethia ticto (Hamilton) Ticto Barb
7. Ngakijou Lepidocephalichthys guneta (Hamilton) Guntea Loach
8. Ngakra Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus) Magur
9. Ngamhai Parambassis ranga (Hamilton) Indian Glassy Fish
10. Ngamu Bogra Channa punctatus (Bloch) Green Snake Head
11. Nganap Pangio pangia (Hamilton) Pangia Coolie Loach
12. Nganap Nakuppi Lepidocephalichthys irrorata (Hora) Loktak Loach
13. Ngapai Notopterus notopterus (Pallas) Kandala
14. Ngapemma Trichogaster fasciata (Bloch & Schneider) Colisa
15. Ngaprum Monopterus albus (Zuiew) Fresh Water Eel
16. Ngaril Mastacembelus armantus (Lacepede) Spinny Eel
17. Ngasang Esomus danricus Flying Barb
18. Ngasep Mystus cavasius (Hamilton) Gangetic Mystus
19. Ngaton Labeo dero (Hamilton) Kalabans
20. Meitei Ngamu Channa orientalis (Bloch Schneider) Asiatic Snake Head
21. Pengba Tharak Osteobrama belangeri (Valenciennes) Manipur Osteobrama
22. Phabounga Puntius sophore (Hamilton) Common Barb
23. Porom Channa striatus (Bloch) Striped Snake Head
24. Ukabi Anabas testudineus (Bloch) Climbing Perch
25. Sareng Wallago attu (Schneider) Fresh Water Shark


Reference: - Souvenir 2019 (Manipur State Museum)

Fish and other produce sourced from Loktak Lake sold at Moirang :: June 22 2016
Fish and other produce sourced from Loktak Lake sold at Moirang in June 22 2016 :: Pix - Shanker Khangembam



Fermented fish foods namely Ngari and Hentak are widely consumed in the daily diet of Manipur people. The indigenous fish dishes of Manipur are lip-smacking and those who have it will remember forget throughout the life.

Production of Ngari and Smoked Fish are the two livelihoods of the local people. Ngari in present days are widely produce with good manufacturing practice and marketed outside the state too. There is a saying in Manipuri Language "NGARI MANAM TABA SIDI CHAK LAMME" meaning feeling hungry with the smell of Ngari.

As different types of fishes are consumed in different ways either smoked or fermented or cooked on daily diet it is very important to take up many new techniques to preserve our common indigenous fishes of Manipur.


* Khuman is a frequent contributor to e-pao.net
This article was webcasted on July 06 2023.



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