From being local to going global, the Northeastern games have come a long way The traditional sports of the country are treasured and are played at festivals in the Northeastern state. As the games spread worldwide, the names have changed. But the format and rules of the sport remain the same. Just like one of the traditional games of India – ‘Nondi’; hopping on one leg and crossing the finish line is played as ‘Stoop’ in other countries. ‘Tekeli Bhonga’ looks more or less similar to the Mexican game of ‘Pinata’. The game is nothing but the participant is blindfolded with a stick in hand to break a clay pot. The clay pot is placed on the ground at a distance from where the participant stands at the start line. This is a traditional game that is deeply rooted in the culture and is still played in the age of PlayStation 5 (PS5).
‘Tekeli Bhonga’ or Pinata
The event is happening during a festival – ‘Rongali festival of Bihu’ conducted in the Guwahati city of Assam. The game of clay pot breaking is played during the harvest season of Magh or Bhogali Bihu. Indian traditional game has influenced the formation of the Mexican game of Pinata.
In the game, the pot is filled with candies, fruits, or sometimes small toys. It is practiced mostly during birthday celebrations. This has its origin in the Chinese sport, where the clay pot is replaced with an animal-shaped vessel. It is filled with seeds and is broken during the Chinese Lunar New Year. This is practiced to have a good harvest in the year following.
Both the Chinese and the Mexican games are a mixture of the Indian sports. The Indian and Mexican version has the similarity of breaking the pot blindfolded. Whereas in the Chinese and Indian customs it is believed to give a good harvest. The Northeastern part of the country which is not talked about much has hidden gems in the games they practice and play. Locally played games have reached the international level, showing their importance, and the culture is rooted back in the Indian subcontinent.
BMX cycling rides-
From local to the international level, sport also termed as ‘glocal’ (global + local) has taken along yet another game with Indian traditions and values. Not only ‘Tekeli Bhonga’, freestyle BMX or otherwise known as the bicycle motocross stunt riding on BMX bikes was seen performed at the festival.
It has reached the Olympics now. During the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Cycling BMX freestyle park was conducted for both men and women, and plans to schedule the sport this year as well. The play is nothing but bike (cycle) rides on roads with BMX bikes. It is popularly played by kids in the United States of America. During the 1970s, teenagers in the US used to ride their BMX cycles on dirt roads and this sports became popular.
The saddening part of the events is that it is played on a local level only. People performing the sport are not given much recognition. Be it sport or any event, recognition is very important as it boosts the morale of the player. This in a way popularizes the game and the player. The recognition of such local games within the country itself will popularize it. This will bring people forward to practice it. The benefits of the practice are two. One is the players playing it will be culturally bonded and will learn about Indian sports and gaming. Another one would be fitness.
A country with the highest youth population will want its youth to be fit as well. The Northeastern state of Assam has made us think about our traditions and the cultural roots in the sporting industry. With the games having reached the Olympics, only proper recognition and practice will make the country produce young talent to compete and win medals in order to make the country proud.
Published: Gargi Sharma
Edited by: Aaradhana Singh
