Common Indigenous Fishes of Manipur
Khuman *
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 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.
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.