The North-East region of India appears to be heaven and an exceptional location for exploring the nature of beauty. The seven sisters of north-east India have always been considered a dream destination for travellers coming from various parts of the country.??
Besides being a place of breathtaking landscapes, Northeast India has witnessed many changes in society, economy, and politics throughout its history.?Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, referred to Manipur as the "jewel of India." So, while the breathtaking?capital city of Imphal, surrounded by nine hills, is known for its tradition, culture, and sports, the city also has an all-women market, possibly the largest in Asia.
There's a market in Imphal that witnesses the rich culture and history of Manipur. Not only is it iconic for the fact that it's an all-women market, but also Asia's largest, solely managed and run by women. Known as 'Mothers' Market' or Ima Keithel or Nupi Keithel, situated at Khwairamband Bazaar in Imphal. This 500-year-old market is also one of the oldest, dating back more than a century.
In the heart of?Manipur, a?500-year-old market called Ima Keithel is one-of-a-kind for different reasons. In?'Ima Keithel', around?5,000 women shopkeepers hold licenses. These licences are passed down from one generation to another in a family. It is thought to be Asia's and possibly the world's largest all-women market.? ?
It's believed that Asia's largest all-women market started way back in the 16th century with a handful of stalls run by women.
It is said that due to the imposition of a forced labour system called Lallup-Kaba in the kingdom of Manipur, all men from the Meithei community were bound to serve in the army. Because all men served in the army, women took to the field and other spaces where, traditionally, men reigned to ensure sustenance and livelihood. Slowly, more women came forward to join this women's community that turned into a local market, and women have been the face of this market.
This is how Manipuri women developed their entrepreneurial skills and became a symbol of women's empowerment. The women traders, with their distinct character, status, and self-identity, are the pride of the state.
Scholars believe that the market of matriarchs has?one unusual rule: only women who are married can trade here, and this custom has continued over the years and centuries.?These married women can take a loan from the union to start a business while repaying the amount over a period of time.
The?market is wholly managed and run by a women's union. As per a custom that has been passed down for years, only married women are allowed to engage in trade activities in the market. At Nupi Keithel, married women borrow money from the union to purchase goods to kickstart their businesses and pay it back later.
Everything was never parallel, as it was in the lives of Ima Keithel's women. In 1891, specific reforms introduced by the British in the kingdom of Manipur affected the locals and local markets. The new reform laws favour external trade with very little consideration for the locals and farmers. This mistrust fueled the women's resentment and protest against the new reforms that brought their lives to a halt. After some time, women's unity eventually won them a space they'd built and rightfully made their own.
The world's largest all-women market in the heart of Imphal, which is also a lifeline for locals, was completely damaged in the 6.7-magnitude-earthquake that hit Manipur on January 4, 2016. It took almost two years to rebuild the market building, and it finally reopened after a complete renovation. Now the market is flooded with buyers and is one of the biggest attractions for tourists in Manipur. It is the heartbeat of Imphal.
The market is divided into three buildings, namely, Ema Market, New Market, and Laxmi Market. The market is spread over an area of 3.5 km.
Earlier, these shops were housed in sheds, but the Imphal Municipal Council has built a four-storey building from which the market operates now.
Women make roughly Rs 6,000¨C10,000 per day, and men are only allowed here for shopping, not trading. Products such as vegetables, fruits, textiles, toys, fish, spices, and utensils are available in the market. It is the largest all-woman market in Asia.
Following independence, the Keithel Market grew into a bustling happening place, with thousands of women traders congregating there to sell household items, textiles, handicrafts, vegetables, and meat. With varied fares being offered, this market has become the hub of Imphal's commercial and economic activity. This market plays a vital role in Manipur's economy.
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