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IMA KEITHEL
Manipur, known for its invaluable cultural heritage and breath-taking natural beauty, is home to Asia’s largest all-women market, Ima Keithel. Located in the capital city of Imphal, Ima Keithel traces its origin back to the 16th century and has its own tale of struggle, valour, and empowerment. The Meitei (Manipuri) word Ima stands for Mother and Keithel for Market. Also known as Nupi Keithel (Women’s Market), this market has a tradition of allowing only married women to trade and do business. This 500-years old market restricts male shopkeepers and vendors from any commercial activity to preserve its age-old tradition.
Ima Keithel Complex
The interiors of Ima Keithel
The origin of Ima Keithel is associated with the Lallup-Kaba labour system. The Lallup-Kaba was a forced labour system imposed in Manipur in 1533 CE, during Pakhangba’s reign. This system required the male members of the Meitei community, between 17-60 years of age, to work in distant lands or to serve in the army. In the absence of their husbands, the female members of the family had to take over the household responsibilities. They started weaving textiles and cultivating in paddy fields to sustain their livelihoods, which ultimately led to the beginning of Ima Keithel. It became a primary centre for the Meitei women to sell different products like household and handloom tools, food items, clothes, etc.
Presently the Ima Keithel complex consists of three large buildings. The ground floors in each building are allocated to the Imas. Each floor is divided into sections based on the items sold in the market. Leimarel Shidabi Ima, or Purana Bazar, is the oldest and largest structure in the complex. The stalls here sell products ranging from bamboo crafts, pure cotton threads, and jewellery to different kinds of fruits, flowers, fish, and spices. The Purana Bazaar also has a small Meitei shrine of Keithel Leirembi and her male consort, Leiramba. Keithel Lairembi is one of the significant goddesses in ancient Meitei mythology, who is believed to be the guardian of the market and the womenfolk.
Imas busy at their stalls
A decorated stall in Ima Keithel
Emoinu Ima Keithel, or Laxmi Bazar is the smallest structure in the complex. The stalls here sell household items like bed covers, mosquito nets, and textile items, such as shawls and traditional clothes. These stalls are beautifully decorated with colourful shawls belonging to the different indigenous communities of Manipur. Phouibee Ima Keithel, or the New Market, mainly sells handloom items, especially Meitei traditional clothes, that includes various phaneks, sarees, and inaphi. The Ima Keithel, administered by a union of women, has a credit system whereby traders can borrow money to purchase goods and repay later.
Besides being a hub of flourishing trade and business, Ima Keithel is instrumental in empowering women to participate in the socio-economic and political spheres of Manipur. It has served as a centre for historic meetings and socio-political discussions, and is also a platform for the voices of dissent. In 1904 and 1939, the women of Ima Keithel revolted against the British authorities because of their unjust policies like the forced labour system, large-scale export of food crops, high taxation on water, etc. This uprising led by Manipuri women was called Nupi Lan, or Women’s War. It is said that more than 5000 women participated in this extraordinary movement. Every year, December 12 is commemorated as the Nupi Lan Day in Manipur as it marks the day when the women of Manipur valiantly waged war against the injustices of the British in 1939.
Over the last 500 years, the Ima Keithel, or Mother’s Market, has witnessed several revolutionary incidents. This unique market continues to promote the rich cultural heritage of Manipur and attracts tourists from across the globe.
The Nupi Lan Memorial in Imphal
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