[Source] Gihaal was a dried fishmeal mixture, its name drawn simply from the word for "fishmeal" in the Mandalorian language of Mando'a. Prepared from raw, freshly gutted fish, the meat was smoked and dried before being packaged into sealed containers for preservation. Richly nourishing, gihaal provided a combination of fat and protein, and could remain edible for years without the need for refrigeration. Because of these traits, gihaal became a staple in Mandalorian field rations, though its pungently unpleasant odor was off-putting to many Mandalorian soldiers.