Meitei Ngamu, a  fish of food and cultural value

Meitei Ngamu (Scientific name=Channa gachua)

Ngamu

• Also called ‘Live Fish’ since it is sold in the market alive because it can inhale air and live without water for quite some time
• Very nutritious and tasty fish, often caught from marshes and swamps. 
• Manipuris harvest the fish and when it is plenty,roast and dry them and store for eating in the off season.
• It forms the basis of protein nutrition of Manipuris and are served as vegetable curry.

• The fish is offered to ailing patients for his/her health and long life.
• Used in the process ‘ushin’ (a cultural practice for wishing good fortune to a Manipuri) in which a fish is released in the water for health and longevity of a family member.
• The fish is an essential item in the customary rites of the Manipuris: be it marriage or child birth or weaning.

How can we afford the extinction of Ngamu from Manipur waters??