Yubi Lakpi - an indigenous game from Manipur, India

From the archive record

Manipuri lads play an interesting game called 'Yubi Lakpi', a game similar to rugby during Sangai Festival in Manipur. Yubi Lakpi has some prominent similarities to the game rugby. However the game is completely of a Manipuri origin and it literally means "coconut snatching". It is traditionally associated with indigenous forms of Hinduism. It began as a ceremonial re-enactment of the snatching of the pot of nectar after the Samundra Manthan. Yubi Lakpi is an individual sport. Before starting the game players rub their bodies with mustard oil and water to make it slippery. A coconut is placed in front of the chief guest of the function that is properly soaked with oil. Each side has 7 players. One end of the field has a rectangular box 4.5 x 3 metre. Other features of the game are: * Dress