INDIGENOUS GAMES AND SPORTS OF MANIPUR 2019

                   INDIGENOUS GAMES AND SPORT OF MANIPUR

Manipur is home to a population playing many different sports. 

1.    Sagol kangjei (Polo)

2.    Mukna ( Manipur style wrestling)

3.    Khong Kangjei  OR Mukna Kangjei (Manipur style hockey)

4.    Yubi Lakpi (Manipur Rugby)

5.    Thang Tha and Sarit Sarat (Martial art)

6.    Hiyang Tannaba (Boat Race)

7.    Kaang

8.    Oolaobi

 

Sagol Kangjei

SAGOL KANGJEI (POLO)  :

          The Sagol Kangjei has  been adapted and adopted by the international enthusiasts of the game as Polo and and now it’s now being played worldwide. Today, the World has accepted that that the game of Polo originated from Manipur.

           Sagol Kangjei is played with seven players in each side who mount and ride ponies, which are usually 4/5 feet in hieght. Each player is fitted  with Polostick made up of bamboo root. The mounted players gallop after the ball to hit it straight into goal. Extremely masculine and vigour-taxing, the exhilarating game is now played in two style, the pana or original Manipur style and the international style i.e. Polo. It is heart-cheering to see Manipuri players in their sixties and even seventies riding ponies at full gallop playing Sagol Kangjei protecting the eyes, forehead, flanks, etc.

MUKNA (MANIPURI STYLE WRESTLING) :

           

Mukna

        In Manipur, Mukna is a popular form of wrestling, is a must of the day of the celebrations of the Lai Haraoba Festival. Though the opponents are matched of physical built and weight, there are no other particular rules. The winner has to posses the greater strength and skill. The game has traditionally enjoyed royal patronage. Traditionally the game is controlled and organised by Pana Loisang of the Ruler of the state and village organisations. There are four, Panas-Ahallup, Naharup, Khabam and Laipham, who control all fixtures and times for the games and the State Meet in which the Final is attended by the ruler, who presents the title of Jatra (Champion) for the year along with a reward of Thum Nama (A full bag of salt), and Ngabong Phi (hand made cloth of cotton yarn), exemption of all state duties and Ningham Samjin dress (traditional). The game has two categories (1) Takhatnabi (League), (2) Naitom (Knockout).

MUKNA KANGJEI OR KHONG KANGJEI (MANIPURI STYLE HOCKEY):

        

Khong Kangjei

         Khong Kangjei is the Manipur Version of Hockey. Mukna Kangjei is a game which combines the arts of mukna (wrestling hockey) and Kangjei (Cane Stick) to play the ball made of seasoned bamboo roots. Played with 7 players in a team, this game is much more rebust than the traditional hockey and may well be considered a mixture of Hockey, Rugby, Wrestling. The origin of the game dates to Aniconic worship. People celebrate Lai Haraoba (festival to please traditional deities) and include this item to mark the end of the festival. It was believed that Khagemba Ningthou (King, 1597–1652) patronised this game. In later generations, the game is organised in the villages.

YUBI LAKPI (MANIPURI  RUGBY):

             Yubi lakpi is a traditional full contact game played in Manipur, using a coconut, which has some notable similarities to Rugby. “Yubi” in Manipur means coconut and “Lakpi” means snatching. The oriental game is played on the lush green turf of the palace ground or at the Bijoy Govinda Temple ground. Each side has 7 players in a field that is about 45×18 metres in area one side of which forms the central portion of goal line. The coconut serves the purpose of a ball and is offered to the king or the judges who sit just beyond the goal line.

THANG-TA AND SARIT SARAT (MARTIAL ART):

              Thang-ta and Sarit Sarat are the forms of Martial art, the traditions of which had been passed down over the centuries. They are energy-consuming and skill demanding art during peace times in the olden days when Manipuri war, warrior required to serve his country at war-times. A martial-artist has to undergo strenuous practice sessions. Only the brave and the athletic could excel. The art, as seen today, observes elaborate rituals and rule, which are strictly followes by participants.

HIYANG TANNABA (BOAT RACE):

         Hiyang tannaba (Hi Yangba Tanaba) is a traditional boat rowing race. It is generally held in the month of November at Thanggapat (Moat). This was introduced during the time of Ningthourel Khunjaoba, the second son of King Khagemba, who dug the Kangla Moat around the Palace to make it impregnable in the year of 1660 after he ascended the throne in 1652. In the traditional function two boats "Tanahi" (Race Boat) are detailed for leaders known as "Tengmai Lappa". In each boat forty Hiroys (Boatman) operate the boat. The boat which reaches the finishing line is the winner and all boatman raise their (Now) oars high in the air as a sign of reaching the finishing line first and thus the winner of the race is declared. The leader pays his respect to the deity and the King of Manipur. The Boat called Hiyang Hiren are regarded to be invested with spiritual powers and the game is associated with religious rites. The Meiteis believe that worship of the Hiyang Hiren will prevent one from evil omens. The Rowers wear traditional dresses and head-gears. The game is conducted during spells of nature calamity.

KAANG:

          Kang is played by both male and female Meities of Manipur. Played on the earth ground (court) smoothly levelled to suit the course of the “kang” the target on court. ‘kang’ which is a flat and oblong instrument made of either ivory or lac. Manipuris believe Kang is a game played by deity Panthoibi. Normally each team has 7 male or female partners. The game is also played as a mixed double contest. The dignitaries of the Palace, even Queen and King also participated on social functions. In olden days 'Kang' was played during summer, starting from Cheiraoba (Manipur New Year) to Kang Chingba(Rath Yatra festival). Manipuri religiously adhere to its time-frame as popular belief holds that if the game is played beyond it given limit, evil spirits invade the mind of players and spectators.

OOLAOBI :

            Meitei mythology believes that UmangLai Heloi-Taret (seven deities–seven fairies) played this game on the Courtyard of the temple of Umang Lai Lairembi. Oolaobi (Woo-Laobi) is mainly played by females. The number of participants is not fixed but are divided into two groups (size as per agreement). Players are divided as into Raiders (Attackers) or Defenders (Avoiders).

The Raiders say "oo" without stopping as long as they can continue and try to touch the Avoiders. If a Raider touches an Avoider while saying "oo", the Avoider is out. This process goes on till all Avoiders are out or surrender. If a raider fails to say "oo" or is out of breath, the Raider is out. Points are counted on the elimination of Raiders/Defenders.

If Raiders are tired they declare for change and a time limit is decided on. The principles of Oolaobi are very similar to Kabaddi in India. The ground (court) is not marked; normally the open space in the premises of the house or temple is used for the game. Oolaobi, sometimes spelled Woolaobi, is very popular with girls and a source of talent in Kabaddi.

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