Traditional games of the Zeliangrong of North East
- Part 2 -

Budha Kamei *

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

3.1.2. Loi Jaimei

Loi Jaimei, tug of war is closely associated with the Gudui festival, which falls in the lunar month of Guduibuh, May. In the festival, they worship Tingkao Ragwang by performing paddy calling ritual in every house of the village.

The main objective of this festival is for timely rainfall of the season, to grow the paddy plants well and nourish and to root to the soil, expand its stems quickly not causing any disturbances by insects or pesticides or warding off disease etc. In the afternoon, people organize entertainment programme in which there is a Duidom Phaimei (throwing of the water put in a plantain leaf container) among the boys and girls (Tuna Gaan) followed by Loijaimei, tug of war between boys and girls, males and females as a symbolic representation of competition between gods and goddesses for possessing the paddy.

It is usually performed at the Danshanpung (village jumping ground) and girls ritually win the game, for there would be good yield in the year. According to T.C Hudson, there is a festival in the month of May in which the girls have a tug of war against the boys in order to take the omens for the future of the crops. Pulling of rope is a game that directly pits two teams against each other in test of strength.

Soon after the boys and girls hold at opposite ends of a rope, a man who acts as referee gives ‘start’ signal to begin the game. A line is usually drawn at the middle of the ground and the team who cross it in pulling the rope is declared loser. Each team will get three times/chances to win the competition.

If a team wins two times, the team will be declared winner. There is no specific place and time in the history to define the origin of the game, tug of war. The origin of the game in India has strong archeological roots going back at least to the 12th century AD in the area of Orissa on the east coast. The famous Sun Temple of Konark has a stone relief on the west wing of the structure clearly showing the game of Tug of War in progress.

3.1.3 Daan Chammei

Daan Chammei, long jump is usually performed in the Gaan Ngai and Rih Ngai festivals to show physical and mental fitness of the youths of the village. However, there is no restriction to perform the game at other occasions too. In the past, inter-village feud was a common occurrence; so it is needed to have sound health of the youths to protect from the attack of the enemy.

At the time of constitution of each Zeliangrong village, a stone is embedded with ritual on the ground in the middle of the village. From that stone a mound of earth measuring four feet in wide and thirty feet in length is raised. The jumper runs from some distance towards the stone from where he takes off to jump as far as possible. The distance is measured by the marks made by the feet where the jumpers land on the ground. It is performed in the present of the whole villagers.

Next, Tao Phaimei, stone throwing is also performed by the youths; the competitor who throws well and farthest in the competition is declared winner. Every competitor will get three times/chances to show his strength. These sports will be introduced by the Nampou, village chief with a sort of religious hymns for wellbeing and prosperity of the village. The winners of the games are not given prizes, but they are required to pay Shon (fees) for declaring and acknowledging his power and ability.

3.1.4 Mishum Phenmei

Mishum Phenmei, pestle throw is a popular game among the Zeliangrong, which is performed in the festival and other occasions as recreation activity. It is performed among the boys of the dormitory and the boy who could throw the pestle a long distance is declared winner. Every competitor will get three chances to throw in the competition. In fact, it is to show the muscle of the youths of the village.

At the same time, it is also an expose to the outside world that the village has strong men who could protect the village from the enemy. In addition, they also perform javelin throw competition to make themselves efficient with the spear. This competition is held in the Rih Ngai festival.

The competitor will throw his spear to the human effigy made of the plantain tree hung at the Rang, village gate. It is believed that one who hits the head of the effigy will be successful in war and hitting on the chest of the effigy is a good luck in hunting. He who strikes at the belly of the effigy will be blessed with bountiful harvest in the year. One who fails to strike at the effigy is loser.

3.1.5 Laorong Pakmei

Laorong Pakmei, running or race is much like modern running race. There is no limit as regard the number of participants in this competition. A plain lane of the village is chosen for the race. All the participants stand on the starting line and at the shout of ‘start’ from the referee; they begin running as fast as they can. One who reaches the destination first is declared the winner. The race takes place at the time of festival or feast of charity like Maku Banru, Taraang Kaishumei etc.

3.1.6 Nao Khemmei

The most popular game is an indigenous form of wrestling (Nao Khemmei). The bout begins with the competitors holding each others waist girdles. As soon as the signal is given by a referee, both the contestants try to throw off each other. A combination of various leg tricks and sheer brawn are used to get victory, but the use of hands on an opponent’s legs is considered a foul, though hands can be used to hold other parts of the body waist upwards. A wrestler is declared winner if he can throw off his opponent.

The wrestler who succeeds in pulling or forces his opponent into a kneeling position also wins. In the wrestling competition, the player will try to knock his rival down, but the rules do not permit inflicting injury on the player by his opponent. A referee from the present elders is selected to oversee the activity and declare the result. Nao Khemmei is held in the festival, but it can also be performed at ordinary occasions.

3.1.7 Goichang khatni Guak Nimmei

Goi khatni Guak Nimmei, Mithun chase and pig chase are the similar types of sports held during the festivals. Mithun chase is held as competition among the boys of the Khangchiu. In this sport, usually a big mithun or buffalo with large horns is chosen for the chase. The horns are wrapped and coiled with creepers to prevent fatal injury to the chaser. The chase is by tradition, a stern test of nerve and stamina.

The chasers wear nothing except a kilt. On the day of the chase, all women and children are put inside the doors. The animal is then taken out to the Khangchiu’s porch where it is tied to a post. An elder of the village cuts the mithun’s leather with one weep of his dao and with it Khangchiupou, owner of Khangchiu gives a hard blow on the mithun’s horn with a stick.

The exasperated animal with his weighted head in pain, and finding itself now free, does rush down the street. The boys begin the chase on its heels. The real game is played in the forest. The chasers make loud shouts when one of them holds tight of the animal’s tail, and his friends rush towards him. They will not be considered victorious unless they fell the animal once to the ground, though any one may get hold of its horn. The animal, sometimes instead of running away, tries to attack the chasers.

The chasers, if they feel not secure, seek safety on the branches of tree. When the animal misses its enemies, it rushes towards the thick jungle. The chasers then rush towards the animal and over power it. The chaser who first holds of animal’s horn is considered as winner. He twists the head of the animal and forces it to fall down on the ground.

The captured animal is then brought to Khangchiu where it is killed and feasted. The part of the buttock of the animal is given as a price to the winner who first catches hold of the animal’s horn. In the same way, the pig chase is also held in the Gaan Ngai festival. But, the proceedings of the day are on a smaller and informal scale.

Concluded..