IMPHAL, Manipur, February 15 (ANI): Ima Keithel, the iconic Mothers’ Market, continues to serve as the emotional and economic heartbeat of Manipur even as the state navigates one of its most challenging periods.
Believed to be more than 500 years old, with some accounts tracing its origins to the reign of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba nearly two millennia ago, Ima Keithel is often regarded as the world’s largest all-women-run market.
For centuries, women from across the hills and valleys of Manipur have gathered here, bringing local produce, handloom items, fish, vegetables, dairy products and traditional goods. What makes the market extraordinary is not only its history but also the spirit of coexistence that defines it.
“This market belongs to everyone,” said Nirmala, a senior vendor. “It is not only for Meitei, Naga, Kuki or Meitei Muslim. Women from every community come here, sit together and do business happily.”
For generations, Ima Keithel has been a space where differences dissolve into shared purpose. Vendors from diverse communities sell side by side, building bonds that transcend ethnic lines. Even amid the current crisis in the state, many women say they see one another not through the lens of community but as fellow Imas — mothers striving for their families.
Earlier, women from every district brought their products to the market, creating a vibrant exchange of culture and commerce. “We lived like a family here,” Nirmala recalled. “We want to see that picture again fully restored.”
Despite challenges posed by recent ethnic tensions, many communities continue to participate in the market, maintaining cordial relationships and mutual respect. Vendors say the shared space reflects Manipur’s spirit, rooted in coexistence and interdependence.
Ima Keithel has long been recognized as the backbone of Manipur’s local economy. Women here are financially independent, supporting their households and educating their children through their earnings.
Ibemcha, who sells curd, milk and honey, has been trading at the market since before the COVID-19 pandemic. The plot she occupies once belonged to her mother.
“I have been selling here since before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the violence began in the state, market activity was strong. However, customer traffic has slowed. This particular plot where I sit was earlier occupied by my mother,” she said.
“Before I started coming to the market, I stayed at home and did other work to support my family. Now, from what I earn here, I can support my family to some extent,” she added.
Her story reflects the generational continuity that defines Ima Keithel, with daughters inheriting not just space but strength.
Many elderly vendors say the market has produced officers, doctors and other notable figures in the state. “This is not just a market; it is a historical place,” one vendor said. “The hearts of the people of Manipur are with this market.”
Ima Keithel is also closely tied to Manipur’s political consciousness. The historic Nupi Lan movements, during which women rose against injustice and colonial policies, were led by the spirit embodied in this market.
“Whenever there is a critical issue in Manipur, women take an active role,” Nirmala said. “Women are always at the forefront.”
Today, educated women and even retired professionals are joining the market, blending tradition with modernity. While earlier generations had limited access to formal education, the present generation of Imas reflects a society that is changing while remaining rooted in tradition.
Vendors acknowledge, however, that the market has undergone visible changes. According to Ibemcha, earlier there were designated sections for specific products, with curd sellers in one area and vegetable vendors in another.
“Now everything is mixed together. I wish the system could be organized like before,” she said.
Economic challenges have also intensified. Disruptions, including highway blockades, have increased transportation costs, leading to higher prices. Many goods now come from outside the state, reducing the availability of purely local products. As customer flow declines, vendors find it increasingly difficult to maintain steady earnings.
“Prices are rising, customers are fewer, and selling has become harder,” Nirmala said.
Despite the hurdles, the women remain determined. For them, preserving Ima Keithel is not only about infrastructure or heritage status but also about protecting its soul — unity among communities, respect for tradition and economic self-reliance.
They urge the government to strengthen and better organize the market while safeguarding its historical character. More importantly, they call on the younger generation to carry forward the legacy.
“We want the younger generation to follow in the footsteps of the past Imas,” an elderly vendor said. “They must preserve this market and keep its unity alive.”
As Manipur seeks healing and harmony, Ima Keithel remains a reminder that when women from all communities sit together, trade together and stand together, unity becomes a living reality. (ANI)
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