Traditional games of the Zeliangrong of North East
- Part 1 -

Budha Kamei *

A Scene from 'The Zeliangrongs' :: Provided by Director - Ronel Haobam

1. Introduction: The history of sport can be traced back to the existence of human civilization itself. It is a key part of cultural identity, and a mechanism for the protection and promotion cultural diversity. Thus, retaining knowledge of our traditional sporting practices is vital in term of sport as an expression of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Worldwide, there is a staggering cultural richness of indigenous, traditional, historical, and regional folk games and sports from different nations and ethnic minorities, many of which are fascinating not only for their differences, but also for the similarities of shared common features.

The Encyclopedia of World Sport includes over three thousand traditional sports from all around the world. The importance of traditional games and sports to our cultural heritage and the need for preservation has been officially recognized by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In spite of this, this important cultural heritage domain has yet to receive significant attention from the research community.

Today, the tribal peoples of North East India have eager interest in their traditional games and sports as it ensures good health, fitness and generally freedom from ailments of various types. Besides, it also promotes in preservation of cultural heritage of the ethnic communities. So, it is urgently needed to study the traditional games and sports of the Zeliangrong of North East.

2. Method and Materials:

The data of the present study are based on primary and secondary sources: primary source mainly depends on field work. About 30 persons are selected for the study. The persons include elders of Pei, Khangbons of Khangchiu, and educated persons who have well knowledge about the activities of the Zeliangrong; they are interviewed through structured and unstructured techniques. Secondary sources cover the available books, articles related to the traditional games and sports of the tribal peoples, particularly the Zeliangrong.

3. A brief profile of the Zeliangrong

The Zeliangrong, one of the natives of North East India belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of Mongoloid racial stock. According to legend, the Zeliangrong originated from a cave known as Mahou Taobei; they moved to Makhel and to Ramting Kabin, and then to Makuilongdi, Senapati District of Manipur. From Makuilongdi, they migrated to different directions. Most of the Naga traditions point to Makhel as their original home. Another theory suggests that the Zeliangrong along with other groups of Tibeto-Burman family came from two regions: south-East Asia and South-West China.

According to Gangmumei Kamei, as the Zeliangrong are Tibeto-Burman, they must have lived with other groups of the same family in south West China before 1000 B.C and migrated to eastern Tibet, Upper Burma, then moved into Irrawaddy valley, Malaysia and Indonesia, and they returned southward and entered north East India through Manipur river, and some tracts of Indo-Burma border to their present habitat (North East).

Now, the population of this ethnic group is found mainly in Tamenglong District of Manipur. These people are found scattered also in the neigbouring districts of Tamenglong District, namely Churachandpur District, Senapati District, Imphal West District, Imphal East District, Thoubal District and Bishnupur District; outside the state of Manipur, they are found settling in Nagaland in its Paren District, and Kohima District, and in Assam in its Haflong sub-division of Cachar District and Hailakandi District.

The Zeliangrong people follow a profound indigenous religion known as Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak. Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak is basically based on the fundamental belief of Tingkao Ragwang, the Supreme God. Tingkao Ragwang literally means the Heavenly God, or God of the sky or Lord of the universe. R. Brown has made a sketchy reference that the Zeliangrong people worship a Supreme Being who is the creator of all. Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak means the religion of Tingkao Ragwang. This profound religious tradition is preserved and practiced through oral traditions by the ancient Zeliangrong community for ages.

In a year, the Zeliangrong people celebrate nine festivals at different stages of agricultural operations according to lunar calendar with festive spirit and prayer. Cultural festivals are times of “worship and prayer to Almighty God for plenty and welfare and celebration for them.” The social and cultural values, the aesthetic and creativity are expressed through dances, games, songs and music. “The Zeliangrong religion is sustained by their colorful festivals accompanied by religious rites and prayers, dance and music and feasting during different months of a year.”

3.1 Games:

The Zeliangrong are lovers of games and sports. Various games are played by both young and old during their recreation. Games are usually played during festivals and sometimes on ordinary occasion. The important games are:

Gaah Tarimei

Loi Jaimei

Tao Phaimei

Daan Chammei

Nao Khemmei

Laorong Pakmei

Mishum Phenmei

Goi khatni Guak Nimmei

3.1.1. Gaah Tarimei

Gaah Tarimei is a traditional game played by the boys and girls divided into two groups. It is played with the round seed of creeper (Costus Specosus) that grows in forest. It is nearly circular in shape, one and half inches in diameter and three fourth of an inch in thickness. The colour of the big seed is deep dark red. The seed whose skin is very smooth when thrown on the well paved floor or the surface in the play moves smoothly without much friction. Each player has its own Gaah.

One party puts these up on the ground and other party flicks to the opponents’ pieces by putting the middle finger of the right with the same of the left. “The most popular game of the Zeliangrong boys and girls is the gaaring play in which the seed of the gaa creeper is used for several items of gaaring game. These children play the spinning top spun with a string and exactly those in use by the English boys.” Among the Meteis, this game is known as Kang and they play it in a little different style.

In the play, Kang is thrown in many ways:
(1) throwing of the Kang with one hand or both the hands,
(2) throwing of the Kang simple to roll,
(3) holding of Kang in between the toes and then hopping one step to begin the play,
(4) throwing of Kang with the head,
(5) throwing of Kang from near the eyes, ears and lips,
(6) throwing of the Kang holding it with the flexion of the knee,
(7) releasing Kang making it down roll from the arm,
(8) to push and
(9) to throw etc.

Among the tribes of Manipur, Kaang is variously recognized as Southela by Tangkhuls, Thilli by Maos, Aga Ngahoktoo by Maram and so on. Gaah is usually played in the festival (after the performance of main functions of the festival) as recreation activity.

To be continued..