Hiyang Kumhei/Hiyang Tannaba(Boat Race)

The Hiyang Tanaba/Hiyang Kumhei of Kakching was held on Monday, the 16th September, 2013 at Sekmai River, Kakching. Since the olden days the Hiyang Kumhei of Kakching had been organising the day after the Hiyuang Kumhei helh at Bijoy Govinda, Imphal of Manipur. Hiyang kumhei/Tannaba is a boat racing competition between two rival groups. One was lead (Tengmai Leppa) Kshetrimayum Thoiba Singh son of Ksh. Nabachandra Singh of Kakching Makha Leikai, near Kakching Makha High School and another Tengmaileppa was Nongmaithem Jiban Singh son of N. Ibomcha Singh of Kakching Turel Wangma Thong Pareng. Apart from these two Tengmaileppa, there would also be a Tengmaileppa for the boat of Sekmai Nithou. He was known as ‘Laigi Heegi Tengmai Leppa’. That was done by Shri Nongmaithem Shyamson Singh son of N. Syamkesho Singh of Kakching Ningthou Leikai.

Norms: The competition is participated by group of people (Heeroi) consisting of 15 to 20 heerois in a boat. The organising committee would select a spot in the river or lake. There would be a starting and finishing point. The race would be done four times. The heerois would rowed their boat as fast as possible to win and also controlled not to sinking down the water too. The Tengmaileppa would stand on the platform of the boat in the front and encouraged his heerois. 


Befor holding the competion, the boat of Sekmai Ningthou would first rowed and inspect the spot of the competion and witnessed the race by parking the boat near the site of the competition. The race was won by Shri Ksh. Thoiba Singh. The traditional race was witnessed by uncountable number of spectators sitting and standing on the riverside of the spot. When we observed how many peoples gathered there it would tell as many as Hiyang Kumhei/Tannaba.