Women's Business

The Hindu

27-07-2025

The Ima Market, located in the centre of Manipur's capital Imphal, is a market entirely run by women. Known as Ima Keithel (Mother's Market) in the Meitei language or as Nupi Keithel (Women's Market), the bustling hub comprises three large buildings with pagoda-style roofs. It is a commercial centre as well as a popular tourist attraction. It was established in the 16th century and hosts 5,000–6,000 women vendors, who sell a variety of products such as vegetables, fruits, textiles, toys, fish, spices, and utensils.
Male shopkeepers and vendors are not allowed to set up or run stalls in the market, and the State government has made it a punishable offence.
Vendors at the market, dressed in traditional phaneks (long skirts tightly draped around the waist) and innaphis (shoulder drapes very similar to shawls), get ready every morning to welcome shoppers, many of them tourists. The economic backbone of many families, the market has served to empower women at the socio-economic level.
Women in Manipur enjoy a unique status in society. Their empowerment is visible through their active participation in the economic realm.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who visited the market in November 2022, in a post on X, had lauded the market for being 'a great example of Nari Shakti (women's strength) powering economic growth'.
Women from diverse faiths and tribes run their own stalls with pride and purpose.
'All of us come together and actively participate when it comes to issues concerning Manipur as a whole. We are not only contributing to the State's economy and supporting our families financially, but we also take part in important social and political matters. This involvement is not limited to just one district — women from all districts and communities, including Muslims and tribal groups, come together. They bring their local products to this market, sell them to us at wholesale rates, and we, in turn, sell those items. It's a wonderful and effective system,' a vendor told ANI last July.
'We want to bring peace. We all want to live together in harmony. Whether it's the Tangkhul, Naga, Kuki, or any other tribe in Manipur, we all wish to come together, work together, and live with love and unity,' said another vendor.
(With ANI inputs)
Cool-off point: A vendor sells ice cream at the buzzling Ima Market in the heart of Imphal. The market hosts 5,000-6,000 stalls and serves as a generational bridge
Money makes money: Women running a money exchange business at the market
Bait for buyers: Vendors sell dry fish at the Ima Market. Dry fish is a key part of Manipuri cuisine used in many of beloved dishes.
Break time: An elderly woman takes a breather. Women from diverse faiths and tribes run their own stalls with pride and purpose at the market.
Letting her hair down: Two vendors take a break from business and relax. Women at the market unwind by sharing stories and anecdotes
Tea time: As dusk falls, eateries and snack outlets come to life as they get busy to welcome customers with lip-smacking delicacies.
Who's next?: A woman clears the table at her eatery, which serves dishes made with rice.