Khong kangjei, also known as mukna kangjei or sometimes kanjei, and commonly known as foot hockey, Manipuri hockey or hockey on foot, is a sport similar to field hockeyTemplate:Sfn primarily of the state of Manipur in India. It is a game which requires stamina, speed, and agility,Template:Sfn and is one of the most popular games in Manipur.Template:Sfn It is one of the indigenous sports of Manipur, others being sagol kanjei and kang, each of which reflects the martial tradition of Manipur,Template:Sfn and with mukna captures an ethical code important to the culture of Manipur.Template:Sfn
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).Template:Sfn
After the Hiyang Tannaba, a type of traditional boat raceTemplate:Sfn 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".Template:Sfn
Gameplay
A match is contested between two teams of seven players.Template:Sfn 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.Template:Sfn Each player has one piece of equipment, a slightly curved bamboo stickTemplate:Sfn about Template:Convert in length similar to a hockey stick.Template:Sfn It is used to strike a ball made of bamboo rootTemplate:Sfn of approximately Template:Convert in diameter.
Each player is associated with an opposing player, and the two never leave each other during a match.Template:Sfn Players may pick up the ball and run with it,Template:Sfn a play often terminated by the player tossing the ball in the air and striking it.Template:Sfn A player may also kick the ball, but must strike the ball with the stick to score a goal.Template:Sfn
A player may obstruct an opponent; tripping opponents is permitted, and is known as a collar.Template:Sfn A player carrying a ball may be physically challenged by an opponent, which requires the two players to wrestle (mukna),Template:Sfn after which play resumes.
Notes
References
- Dances of Manipur: The Classical Tradition{{#if:Doshi|, Doshi}. Marg Publications(1989). ISBN 9788185026091
- Tourism In India Planning & Development{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Sarup & Sons(2006). ISBN 9788176256650
- Folklore{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Indian Publications(1961)
- Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. ABC-CLIO(2010). ISBN 9781598842432
- The Meitheis{{#if:Hodson|, Hodson}. David Nutt(1908)
- Encyclopaedia of North-East India{{#if:Prakash|, Prakash}. Atlantic Publishers & Distributors(2007). ISBN 9788126907069
- Religious developments in Manipur in the 18th and 19th centuries{{#if:Singh|, Singh}. Manipur State Kala Akademi(1980)