A visit to Ima Keithel : Asia’s largest all women’s market

North-East India is not only a place of hills, mountains, rivers, rainforests and clouds but also a place full of bustling markets, business and trade and some of the unique essence in the world.

In a recent visit to the beautiful state of Manipur I came across a 500 year old tradition which is still continuing with utmost enthusiasm, hard work and pride.

Ima Keithel  (Ima means Women and Keithel means Market), in the heart of the bustling city of Imphal is a site to beckon.

Ima Keithel is a more than 500-year-old market that is run and managed entirely by as many as 5000 women, making it the largest and one-of-a-kind all women’s market in Asia.

The market is managed by a union of women, and there is one custom that surrounds this Market of Matriachs – only married women are allowed to trade and run the stalls here, the tradition which is passed on from one generation to another. 

At present, the market is able to gain much attention from the International crowd with its uniqueness and also by presenting itself as an independent business spot to the women entrepreneur from the state.

The market was started in the 16th century with a just a few stalls run by women, and over the years, it grew exponentially into a bustling market of thousands of female traders selling everything from household items to handicrafts, vegetables, fruits, jewelleries, clothes and textiles. Almost everything of local produce that you urge to shop for in the state of Manipur could be found here. Apart from generating a source of income to the local women entrepreneurs of the state, it also boosts the local economy upto a great extent.

According to the locals, the birth of Ima Keithel was in the year 1533 AD. At that time, a forced labour system called Lallup-Kaba was imposed in Manipur. Due to this, the male members of the Meitie community, who inhabited the area were forcefully sent to work in faraway places or fight wars, leaving the women behind in the villages. To support their household in such crucial times, the women in the villages took the responsibility in their own hands – cultivated their paddy fields, weaved textiles and created several items that were sold in the daily markets which eventually led to the birth of the present Women’s Market.

The market since then had faced lot of hardships, like in the year 1891 due to the strict economic and political reforms enforced by the then British Government who had complete control over the state had exported all locally-grown rice to other far-off countries and had also implied high taxes on water etc. which had adversely affected the market and socio-economic scenario of the state at large. Due to this, in the year 1939, there was a revolt by the Women’s against the unjust economic policies imposed by the British. This revolt didn’t go well and in an attempt to stop the agitation the British tried disposing off the market complex to external buyers. But the continued hard work, revolt and dedication of the women traders had ultimately thwarted these attempts successfully.

After 5:00 pm, as evening approaches, and the sun goes down, the women traders pack up their stuff and head back home. Ima Keithel often called as the ‘Queen of Markets’ plays a vital role in the lives of Manipuri women since generations. 

A pride possession of the state of Manipur, a visit to Ima Keithel will surely make you salute and respect those mothers, whose untiring effort and a self made business ecosystem have impacted the lives of million families since generations.