Kang Shanaba
- An Indigenous Game of Manipur -
- Part 1 -

E. Binoykumar *

Like Sagol Kangjei (Polo), Khong Kangjei, Yubi Lakpi etc. Kang Shanaba is an indigenous game of Manipur which has been most popular among the old as well as young people equally through the ages. The origin of Kang is lost in anliquily.

However, the Meiteis believe that Kang was originally played by the Seven Lainingthous (deities) and seven Leimarons (female deities) to celebrate the creation of earth and beauty of the rising Sun and Moon. It is derived from the Manipuri word "Kangba" (means to start).

The play, therefore, signified the start of a new life after the creation of the earth. Lainingthous and Leimarons played the game seven times, and for seven times the Laimarons won the game.

A round object known is Kangkhil, the seed of a giant creeper, was used in the play. This was more advantageous to the Leimarons. The Lainingthous got disappointed, and to win the game, an oval-shaped Kang was introduced by Pakhangba for the Lainingthous.

According to Cheitharon Kumbaba the Manipuri chroniclc. 'Kang Tharo Shanaba" was started during the reign of Raja Loitongba in AD 1122. One day, in the afternoon of Chahi - Houba or Cheiraoba, the Manipuri New Year, Raja Loitongba was taking a walk in his royal courtyard.

He saw two Kangkhils lying in a corner. He threw the first seed to a certain distance, and then, the other seed was picked up and thrown to hit the other Kangkhil. He tried again and again to hit the target. This was played as a game by Raja Loitongba and he introduced it to his royal family members and others.

In due course of time, the game was improved and developed. The term "Kang' is therefore an aberration of Kangkhil, seed of a plant called Kangli. In later year the Uri-kang i.e. Kangkhil was replaced by circular objects made of either wood in case of commoners or ivory in case of princes or princesses.

Then the circular Kang was given up in favour of an oval-shaped object (Kang) made of horns of buffaloes, shells of tortoise etc. During the reign of Raja Chandraklrti about AD 1851, the play was further inproved with systematic play court and game rules with formation of Kangkhut or team consisting of seven players.

The latest development is, however, an egg-shaped object made of lac, lad and the like. Kang made of plastic is now becoming very popular.

There are various rules of Kang in Manipur. This led to confusion and even disputes. To avoid this, an experimental match was arranged in 1948 under an accepted Kanglon.

The Manipur Kang Association was established thereafter on 7-5-1952 and regular tournament under the approved rules was started from 14-5-1952, with a trophy donated by Shri Mangoljao Thoidingjam. In the same year, Maharaja Bodha Chandra donated a trophy in memory of his father His Highness, Sir Churachand Singhaji K.C.S.I..CBE in June 1952 .

Kang is played by two teams of seven players each on either side of the play field. A score consists of two Chekpheis and one "Lamtha". As long as one team continues to make scores, the innings will continue.

Otherwise, the other team will start their innings and so on. Chekphei is played in standing posture by throwing the Kang to hit the target on the opposite side. Lamtha is shooting of the Kang on the surface with a finger to hit the target on the opposite side.

There are separate tracts for each player. A wrong Lamtha, from a player in the concerned track creates complications, resulting in the track becoming "dead" (Shiba).

In the case of two tracks next to the 'Matais', after hitting the Kang deflects on the left, this is known as 'Hanba' and if it corosses the last boundary in the case of three tracks in the middle, it is known as Hanba and if not it is known as Handaba.

To be continued ....