A popular sport native to
Manipur, Mukna is a combination of wrestling and judo. It is the Manipuri style of wrestling played between two male challengers. Mukna enjoyed royal patronage in the olden days. This sport thrived greatly during the reign of King Khagemba. It is usually conducted on the last day of the
Lai-Haraoba Festival.
The game is started when the participants wearing a waist belt (called ningri) and a groin belt holds each other's belts. A player trying to hold the opponent’s neck, hair, ear, private parts or legs with the hands is declared as foul. The contestant, who touches the ground first with his head, back, shoulder, knee or the hand, is considered as the loser of the game.
The winner of the game is called as ‘yatra’. Mukna tests sheer physical strength and skill of the participants. This game is well liked by the people, who live in Imphal, Thoubal and Bishnpur.
