Ima Keithel
Mothers' Market, Women's Market | |
---|---|
Neighbourhood | |
![]() One of the three buildings of the Ima Keithel (Women's Market). | |
Nickname: Queen of Markets | |
Coordinates: 24°48′29″N 93°56′06″E / 24.808°N 93.935°E | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Manipur |
District | Imphal West |
Languages | |
• Colloquial | Meitei |
Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
PIN | |
Management | Ima Keithel Union |
Ima Keithel (English: Mothers' Market), also known as Nupi Keithel (English: Women's Market), or Khwairamband Keithel (English: Khwairamband Market[1]), is a market in the middle of Imphal in the Indian state of Manipur.[2][3] It is the only market in the world run entirely by women.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Men are not allowed to sell anything.[10] The Manipur Government has announced that the male shopkeepers will be punished if their shops are found inside the market.[10]
The market has around 5000-6000 shopkeepers. Women sell many kinds of things, like vegetables, clothes and many others. These are mostly local made of the state. The market was established in the sixteenth century AD. It has three large buildings. These are named after the three goddesses of Meitei religion. The goddesses are Leimarel Sidabi, Emoinu and Phouoibi.[1][2][3][11]
Ima Keithel is a perfect example of the long-lasting tradition of business management done by women in Manipur. Traditionally, Meitei women always enjoyed high status in the economy of the society. Women lead the trade and commerce in food and vegetables, household things and clothes in Manipuri society.[12] In history, it is the symbol of the empowerment and the leadership prospects of women in Manipur.[13]
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