Mukna Kangjei, a traditional game of Manipur


  Mukna Kangjei is a game which combines the arts of mukna( a form of Manipuri traditional wrestling) and Kangjei (cane stick). It is akin to modern day hockey and Manipuris have been playing it from time immemorial. This game is also known as khong kangjei or sometimes kangjei. The name is derived from the Meitei terms khōng (foot), kāng (ball or round object), and jei, which is derived from the term chei (stick).

  The origin of the game goes back well to Aniconic worship. People celebrate 'Lai Haraoba' (festival to please traditional deities) and include this item to mark the end of the festival. And Khagemba Ningthou (King) (1597-1652) patronised this game. Nowadays the game is organised in the villages. Presently, associations are formed in Panas (club or team) with rules and regulations of Mukna Kangjei. . The rules for the game is known as Kangjei lon.

  The game is played in an open ground by two teams each consisting of seven players. All players hold a natural cane stick with root, gradually increasing the size of the root, to the lenght of about seven inches to play the ball made out of seasoned bamboo roots of approximately a diameter of four inches. And players put on Mukna Kisi Phijet ( dress of cloth knot) to secure protection and holding each other.

  The match is refereed by  wayenba (umpire), who also signals change of sides (pun onba) and the end of the match. Each team has a leader, referred to as a panjenba. The game starts by throwing the ball in front of the panjenbas of the two teams standing face to face to each other on the line. If possible they can pick up the ball and run. A player may obstruct an opponent; tripping opponents is permitted, and is known as a collar. A player carrying a ball may be physically challenged by an opponent, which requires the two players to wrestle (mukna), after which play resumes.

    Each player is associated with an opposing player, and the two never leave each other during a match.  Players may pick up the ball and may also kick the ball, but must strike the ball with the stick to score a goal.
 
   Pun onba and end of the game is given by the command of the umpire. A play often terminated by the player tossing the ball in the air and striking it.
 


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