|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ima Market in Imphal reflects the spirit of independence and self-belief of Manipuri women, writes
Bijay Sankar Bora from Guwahati
Manipur is one place in India where women have a towering presence in life in different spheres ranging from art, culture, literature, agriculture and sericulture to leading mass protests — a regular feature in the troubled state — from the front. But an unparalleled example of overwhelming women dominance is Ima Market, or Khwairamband Bazaar, in Imphal city. The market is a major tourist attraction. Over 2,500 shops in the area — selling virtually everything under the sun — are manned by only women. The range of commodities available in the unique market — where only women traders call the shots — gives the visitor a fair idea about the culture and traditions of the state. Thousands of shops in the market — which is now housed in a temporary accommodation in Imphal as the Manipur Government is constructing three state of the art market blocks in its permanent location — are manned by women from all age groups. They are trading in almost all the commodities ranging from gold-plated local traditional jewellery to betel nut. The metal and carved wooden jewellery items on display in this market are handcrafted by the tribal men of the region. It is nothing less than a paradise for shoppers and obviously the best place to pick up a souvenir or a trinket to remind you of your stay in Imphal. It is an amazing sight to see women selling exotic ethnic wears of Manipur, ornaments, woollen garments, handicraft products, grocery, fruits, vegetables, fish, pottery, and even brand new currency notes of various denominations at different corners of the market where an ambience of carnival is omnipresent. "I have been selling all varieties traditional dresses of Manipuri women in this market for the last four years. I have been earning about Rs 20,000 per month, which increases to about Rs 40,000 during the festive season," said Thangjam Bino Devi (52) of Khurai Konsam Leikai in Imphal. She procures the dress materials from weavers in Thoubal district of the state. She exudes confidence that business would look up once the market is shifted to its permanent accommodation, where it would be easier for traders to display their items under proper lighting and other infrastructure. Some of the existing traders, however, apprehend that if the government charges a high fee for allotting shops in those newly constructed blocks, it will be the end of the road for many of them. Khwairamband Bazaar is also known as Ima Market or Nupi Keithel. This reflects the independent spirit and enterprise of the Manipuri women. It is called Ima Market because of the old belief that these women are protected by goddess Ima. The shops remain open from 9 in the morning till 6 in the evening. Women traders from far-off places in the state own shops in the market. "Please take a photograph of my glittering jewellery shop and publish it so that I get more customers," commented a smiling Latamohini from Khorai Tilipati in Imphal’s east district. She deals in gold-coated traditional jewellery, and claims to net Rs 25,000 a month. "We also send these jewellery items to Mumbai through a local agent. The cost of a kilogram of gold-coated jewellery ranges from Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,500, depending upon the design of the article," she said. Manipuri jewellers from Yairpok (Imphal east), Mulom (Bishnupur), Nambol (Bishnupur) and Wabgai (Thoubal) supply jewellery to Ima Market traders. A corner of the market is bound to attract the visitor because of presence of shops dealing in brand new Indian currency notes and coins in various denominations . Fifty-year-old Choubi from Tera village in Imphal’s west district owns such a shop for the last 20 years. She said: "We bring these brand new currency notes from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) branch in Guwahati through commission agents. People here buy these currency notes for distribution as dakshina during marriage and other rituals practised in Manipuri society. We earn about Rs 30 by selling fresh currency notes worth Rs 1,000," she informed. Women traders like 60-year-old fish vendor Bina Shakti in the market has been supplementing the family income, besides discharging a woman’s routine responsibilities in a traditional Manipuri family. She earns about Rs 6,000 from her fish counter in the market. Ima Market very well reflects the spirit of independence and self-belief of common Manipuri women. It is a symbol of their dominant presence in Manipuri society.
|
|||
|
|
|||
