Indigenous Games of Manipur

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Yubi Lakpi, during an exhibition match in November 2018 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

MANIPUR is a tiny state which is located in the north-eastern corner of India. It comes as an independent and sovereign kingdom, and it has a long history of about 2000 years. The state has its own history, language, culture, tradition, art & dance forms and many indigenous games.

Once upon a time the indigenous games of Manipur are playing frequently in connection with festival & fairs; but in present days these games are hard to witness due to the modernization. Here writing about some popular indigenous games of Manipur. The indigenous games of Manipur include both indoor and outdoor games. People of Manipur are always been good players in National Level as well as International Level.

YUBI LAKPI (Manipuri Style Rugby):- Yubi Lakpi is one of the most famous indigenous games of the state. Yubi means Coconut and Lakpi means Snatching. It is an outdoor game. Generally it played in a field with an area of about 45 x 18 meters.

On either side there are 7 (seven) players. The coconut is oiled properly and it serves the purpose of ball. No hard rules and regulations of the game. To score a goal a player has to pass the goal line from the front with oiled coconut. The King or the Judge sit beyond the goal line and the oiled coconut is offered to the King or the Judge.

Mukna at Sangai Festival at Khuman Lampak on November 22 2018 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

MUKNA (Manipuri Wrestling):- Mukna is a very prestigious and popular indigenous game of Manipur. It is the Manipuri style of modern game Wrestling. The game is clearly mentioned in the Khamba-Thoibi Story. Khamba-Thoibi is a very popular novel of Moirang principality in the first half of the 15th Century.

In the story Khamba and Nongban, Mukna competitions held under the royal patronage. The game is played between the two male rivals. Mukna can be played indoor or outdoor. The game was played once upon a time between two male competitors for trial of strength by sheer physical strength and skill.

Mukna is an individual sport and manly art. It is a game of endurance, rapid thinking and wits. Mukna game is also an important part of the Lai Haraoba festival. Today, Mukna competition is organized by some organizations from time-to-time so that today’s generation can witness it.

5th Sajou Memorial Kang Tournament at Kongba, Imphal in August 2018 :: Pix - Shankar Khangembam

KANG:- Kang the name itself is very interesting. It is a game played by both female and male. The game is played on the mud floor. Kang is a flat and oblong instrument and made of either lac or ivory.

Generally, it is played between the month of Cheiraoba Festival and the Rath Yatra Festival. Ratha Yatra in Manipuri language is called Kang. Cheiraoba is the Manipuri New Year’s Day. One fine spot there is a stadium for playing Kang in the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, Imphal East district. Normally each team has 7 (Seven) players.

SAGOL KANGJEI (Modern Polo):- Manipur gave the world the game of Modern Polo. Sagol Kangjei is a modern Polo game. It is our indigenous game and started since time immemorial. Sagol means Horse and Kangjei means Mallet. Kangjei is made of Cane and Kangdrum (ball) is made of Bamboo root.

The game is played with 7 (seven) players on each side mounted on ponies which are often not more than 4 to5 feet in height. Every year in the month of November during the Sangai Festival (Tourism Festival of the State) International Polo Tournament is organized by the Manipur Horse Riding & Polo Association, Imphal, Manipur at Mapal Kangjeibung (Imphal Polo Ground), Imphal.

This is one of the means to preserve our traditional Polo. Mapal Kangjeibung is the oldest living Polo Ground in the world.

Therefore, it is high time to aware, protect, preserve and practice the indigenous games of Manipur for the sake of both the present and future generations, many steps should be taken up to protect and preserve the unique indigenous games of Manipur. We are responsible to tell our history to the world.

See a full gallery on Indigenous Games of Manipur