Traditional Games of Northeast India 

July10,2025

A traditional Naga wrestling sport, particularly practiced by the Angami tribe. Wrestlers lock arms and attempt to throw each other to the ground using skill and strength. It’s a highlight of tribal festivals.

Kene (Nagaland)

A unique form of traditional wrestling with strict rules, where players must not move their feet during the match. It is both ceremonial and athletic in nature.

Inbuan (Mizoram)

Played during the Sekrenyi Festival, villagers engage in traditional water-based competitions like bamboo rafting and water wrestling, showcasing strength and harmony.

Sekrenyi Water Sports (Nagaland)

Children and adults enjoy walking and racing on bamboo stilts, which is not only a fun game but also a skill rooted in cultural traditions and physical balance.

Bamboo Stilt Walking 

Traditionally a village sport, cockfights—though now regulated—were once conducted during festivals and served as an entertainment event involving betting and cheering crowds.

Cockfighting (Tripura & Nagaland)

A traditional boat race held during the Lai Haraoba festival, where ornately decorated boats are rowed in competitive spirit amidst chants and music.

Hiyang Tannaba (Manipur)

A popular game played using locally made bamboo bows and arrows, often combined with betting in Meghalaya. This game has become a major attraction for locals and tourists alike.

Traditional Archery (Meghalaya & Arunachal Pradesh)