INSUKNAWR INDIGENOUS SPORT

INSUKNAWR is an indigenous sport invented by our forefathers. It is a duel sport requiring a wooden or bamboo rod and a 4 metre circle line. The competitors in the sport must grab and securely tuck the rod beneath their arms and push against each other until one of them is driven out of the circular line.

There is no such sport anywhere else in the world. There is no English or other language name for it; nonetheless, some writers suggested “Rod Pushing Sport” for better comprehension among English speakers. This proposed moniker caused perturbation among mizo cultural preservationists because there is no such sport outside of the Mizo culture.

Traditionally, a wooden pestle 5 metres long and 6 inches thick is used for the sport. It is the most popular sport among Mizos. The major location for this one-of-a-kind game was Zawlbuk, a centre where young lads nearing maturity got informal education. However, the establishment of a formal schooling system, as well as the consequent abandoning of the Zawlbuk, has reduced its significance, as has the popularity of other traditional sports.

Thanks to the FIT India initiative, which recently mandated combining indigenous sports and other modern activities into formal schools to encourage fitness among young students. This will undoubtedly resurrect the long-forgotten indigenous and traditional sports.