Attired in her traditional phanek and innaphi, she takes her earmarked place in the Ima Market. The loan that she has taken from the committee, which she, too, is part of, has enabled her to go for some extra purchases like bananas from the hills; vegetables, and products made of cane. She is confident that she will be able to sell the stuff she has purchased, from her establishment in Ima Keithel, the market now known globally for its unique characteristics. This is not the story of just one Ima but several hundreds of them. It is a representation of women, and their empowerment, and their confidence which stems from over five hundred years of rich history.
History says that the tradition of lallup-kaba began when Manipuri kings would draft all able-bodied Meitei males into the army to fight for the Kingdom or to the farms in distant places to supply produce to the army fighting with an enemy. The onus of managing the household then fell on the women folk. They started tilling the land and sewing clothes and began selling their wares. Many say that this was the genesis of what is now known as Ima Keithel.
In Meitei, Ima means Mother and Keithel means Bazaar or marketplace. Operated entirely by women, this is Asia’s biggest market. It is, at times, also called nupi keithel, which means market run by women.
When the British had established their sway over Manipur, they brought in certain legislation which never found favours with these women. They organised themselves against the colonial masters and raised a banner of revolt called Nupi Lan, or the women movement. Post-Independence, this bazar gained commercial, social, and political prominence. In the year 2010, it was shifted to Khawairamband Bazar built by the Imphal Municipal Corporation.
One of the unwritten codes of the Ima Market is that only a married woman is allowed to operate here. Even in that, it is the matriarch of the house who is given the preference. This has been handed down from one generation to the other. There are more than 5000 matriarchs operating in the bazar. They have organised themselves into a union of sorts which manage the market through a well- defined set of rules and regulations. This union also lends money to its representatives.
One such beneficiary is Konthoujam Manitombi from Sagolband Sayang, Imphal West district. She is into selling bori (local made Soyabean chunks) at Keithel. The outlet was started by her mother-in-law. “After her demise 10 years ago, I inherited this shop. It has provided us sustenance since. I have heard about keithel since my childhood.. Vending here has allowed me to divert my mind from family issues as well,” she said..
Loitonngbam Ongbi Pishak Macha from Kwakeithel has been selling local fresh fish in this market since 2002 inheriting it from her grandmother. “I love vending here, mingling with others, sharing joy, happiness, and other emotions of life,” she says. She also recounts the toughest period of her life here as a vendor during the Covid when sales had hit rock bottom.
In the earthquake of January 4, 2016, which shook Imphal, the market took a massive pounding. It had to be rebuilt after that. Such is its fame that it is not only a commercial hub for the locals, but also a tourist attraction for those coming from all over the world. Buoyed by the success of this concept, the Government of Manipur has inaugurated seven such bazaars in Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Senapati, and Chandel. On March 16, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Bazar in Churachandpur
Attempts had also been made in Assam to establish markets on similar lines, but they could never take the shape of the Ima Keithel. Here lies the reason why the bazaar is unique.
