Yubi Lakpi, traditional rugby of Manipur




Yubi lakpi is a traditional game of Manipur and literal meaning of the game is "coconut snatching". It has some prominent similarities to the game rugby.

  The game is traditionally associated with autochthonous forms of Hinduism. It began as a ceremonial re-enactment of the snatching of the pot of nectar after the Samundra Manthan.
An official game is held on the occasion of the Yaoshang Festival of Shri Shri Govindajee at palace ground and with Royal presence.
   
  The ultimate goal of yubi lakpi is to present the coconut to the King. In modern times, a 'King' is selected to receive the offering. Nowadays the "King" is often a teacher, or official. Before the starting the game, players rub their bodies with mustard oil and water to make slippery to catch each other. A coconut properly soaked with oil is place in front of the chief guest of the function, known as the "King", who does not take part in the game itself. Players are generally barefoot, and wear shorts (a kisi/langot), but not shirts.

  Each side has 7 players in a field that is about 45 x 18 metres in area. One end of the field has a rectangular box of 4.5 x 3 metres. One side of which forms the central portion of the goal line. To score a goal a player has to approach the goal from the front with his oiled coconut and pass the goal line. The coconut serves the purpose of a ball and is offered to the king or the judges who sit just beyond the goal line. However, in ancient times the teams were not equally matched but the players, with the coconut had to tackle all the rest of the players. The umpire is a senior jatra, who starts the game, and stops fouls.
 
 To a score a goal the player has to approach the goal from the front with the oiled coconut and pass the goal line. The coconut is offered to the chief guest later.  A player should not hold the coconut against their chest but need to carry it under their arm. And they are not allowed to kick or punch their opponents and cannot tackle players who do not have the coconut.






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