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| Yubi Lakpi |
Looking back into history, we can see that sports were always a part of the traditional Manipuri culture. Indigenous games have played a major role in strengthening the physical structure of the Manipuris and making them active people. One such game is Yubi Lakpi.
Yubi Lakpi is a popular outdoor game played in Indian state of Manipuri, using a coconut. It is played only by men. It requires a great deal of vigorous body play and stamina. The game demands wrestling ability, speed, great reflexes and a sharp mind. It has some notable similarities to rugby. Unlike rugby it is an individual sport, not a team one.
Emma Levine, an English writer on little known Asian sports, speculates:
"Perhaps this was the root of modern rugby? Most Manipuris are quite adamant that the modern world 'stole' the idea from them and made it into rugby... this game, which has been around for centuries, is so similar to rugby, which evolved a great deal later, that it must be more than a coincidence."
Yubi in Manipuri means coconut, and lakpi means snatching. The game is traditionally associated with the hindu mythology of 'Samundra Manthan'. It is said to have started as a ceremonial re-enactment of the celestial snatching of pot of 'Amrita', the drink of immortality from Asuras (demons). An official game is held on the occasion of the Yaoshang Festival of Shree Govindajee at palace ground and with Royal presence. Some games take place at the Bijoy Govinda Temple Ground.
Pitch is usually approximately 45 metres long, by eighteen wide, without grass. One side of the pitch forms the central portion of the goal line. It is frequently played on rough, dried mud. Alternatively it can be played on the lush green turf.
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 4.5 x 3 metres. One side of which forms the central portion of the goal line. A coconut is properly soaked with oil and is placed in front of the chief guest of the function, known as the "King", who does not take part in the game itself. 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.
Before the game, players rub their bodies with mustard oil and water to make them slippery.
Emma Levine, an English writer on little known Asian sports, speculates:
"Perhaps this was the root of modern rugby? Most Manipuris are quite adamant that the modern world 'stole' the idea from them and made it into rugby... this game, which has been around for centuries, is so similar to rugby, which evolved a great deal later, that it must be more than a coincidence."
Yubi in Manipuri means coconut, and lakpi means snatching. The game is traditionally associated with the hindu mythology of 'Samundra Manthan'. It is said to have started as a ceremonial re-enactment of the celestial snatching of pot of 'Amrita', the drink of immortality from Asuras (demons). An official game is held on the occasion of the Yaoshang Festival of Shree Govindajee at palace ground and with Royal presence. Some games take place at the Bijoy Govinda Temple Ground.
Pitch is usually approximately 45 metres long, by eighteen wide, without grass. One side of the pitch forms the central portion of the goal line. It is frequently played on rough, dried mud. Alternatively it can be played on the lush green turf.
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 4.5 x 3 metres. One side of which forms the central portion of the goal line. A coconut is properly soaked with oil and is placed in front of the chief guest of the function, known as the "King", who does not take part in the game itself. 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.
Before the game, players rub their bodies with mustard oil and water to make them slippery.
They are generally barefoot, wear shorts (a kisi/ langot) and without shirts. The oiled coconut is placed at the centre of the field, and on signal the players race towards it. Players are not allowed to hold the coconut against their chest, but have to carry it under their arm. Players are not allowed to kick or punch opponents, or to tackle players who do not have the coconut. When there are too many people pouncing on the coconut, the situation is calmed down by throwing water on the players! The player has to penetrate the box area from the front, not from the sides, and he must then cross the goal line, while carrying the coconut, to get a successful score. The team, whose player succeeds in doing this, wins. In case no player succeeds in reaching the judge with the coconut, all the players are lined up and made to run a race to decide the winner.
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