Khong kangjei

Khong kangjei, also known as foot hockey, Manipuri hockey or hockey on foot, is a sport similar to field hockey[1] primarily of the state of Manipur in India. It is a game which requires stamina, speed, and agility,[2] and is one of the most popular games in Manipur.[3] It is one of the indigenous sports of Manipur, others being sagol kanjei and kang, each of which reflects the martial tradition of Manipur,[1] and with mukna captures an ethical code important to the culture of Manipur.[4]

The name is derived from the Meitei terms khōng (foot), kāng (ball or round object), and jei, which is derived from the term chei (to hit).[5]

After the Hiyang Tannaba, a type of traditional boat race[6] held annually in Manipur, spectators adjourn to the hockey grounds, on which is played a match of foot hockey. Scoring for these matches "is carried on from year to year".[7]

Gameplay

A match is contested between two teams of seven players.[2] The match is refereed by an 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, and play commences when the umpire throws a ball between them at the centre line.

A team attempts to score goals against the opponent, and the team first to attain a predetermined number of goals is declared the winner.[5] Each player has one piece of equipment, a slightly curved bamboo stick[5] about 4 feet (120 cm) in length similar to a hockey stick.[2] It is used to strike a ball made of bamboo root[2] of approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.

Each player is associated with an opposing player, and the two never leave each other during a match.[8] Players may pick up the ball and run with it,[2] a play often terminated by the player tossing the ball in the air and striking it.[5] A player may also kick the ball, but must strike the ball with the stick to score a goal.[2]

A player may obstruct an opponent; tripping opponents is permitted, and is known as a collar.[5] A player carrying a ball may be physically challenged by an opponent, which requires the two players to wrestle (mukna),[2] after which play resumes.

Notes

1. Green & Svinth 2010, p. 297.
2. Prakash 2007, p. 1559.
3. Folklore 1961, p. 226.
4. Doshi 1989, p. 2.
5. Hodson 1908, p. 49.
6. Fazili & Ashraf 2006, p. 75.
7. Hodson 1908, p. 54.
8. Singh 1980, p. 100.

References

• Doshi, Saryu (1989). Dances of Manipur: The Classical Tradition. Marg Publications. ISBN 9788185026091.
• Fazili, Asif Iqbal; Ashraf, S Husain (2006). Tourism In India Planning & Development. Encyclopaedia of World Geography. Vol. 17 (1 ed.). Sarup & Sons. ISBN 9788176256650.
• Folklore. Vol. 2. Indian Publications. 1961.
• Green, Thomas A.; Svinth, Joseph R. (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. Martial Arts of the World: Regions and individual arts. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598842432.
• Hodson, Thomas Callan (1908). The Meitheis. London: David Nutt. OCLC 63942822. OL 23534254M.
• Prakash, Col Ved (2007). Encyclopaedia of North-East India. Vol. 4. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 9788126907069.
• Singh, Moirangthem Kirti (1980). Religious developments in Manipur in the 18th and 19th centuries. Manipur State Kala Akademi.