Tackling tradition? Women’s inclusion in Naga wrestling sparks mixed reaction

Kohima: Nagaland made history as 29 women took centre stage at the 15th edition of the Open Naga Wrestling Championship 2025, held at Khouchiezie in Kohima. Their groundbreaking participation in the traditionally male-dominated sport sparked both celebration and controversy, with some hailing the move as a significant step towards inclusivity and others expressing concerns over the sanctity of the Indigenous sport being altered.

Indigenous Naga Wrestling stands apart from other wrestling events, as players must bring any part of their opponent’s body above the knee to the ground to claim victory. Originally indigenous to three Naga tribes—Angami, Chakhesang, and Zeliang—Naga Wrestling has gradually expanded its reach.

The Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA), the governing body of this indigenous sport, organises two key events in alternate years—the Naga Wrestling Championship, exclusive to the three wrestling communities, and the Open Naga Wrestling Championship, which welcomes participants from other tribes and beyond the state.

In addition, the annual Hornbill International Naga Wrestling Championship has expanded the sport’s reach, drawing wrestlers from across the country and beyond. With multiple championships now open to all, Naga Wrestling is experiencing unprecedented growth, broadening its legacy and attracting a diverse range of athletes eager to test their skills in this time-honoured competition.

However, including women in the recently concluded Open Naga Wrestling Championship sparked mixed reactions among locals, stirring both praise and resistance in a community where the sport has long been a male-dominated tradition.

Tradition versus inclusion

Speaking to EastMojo, an elder from one of the wrestling communities shared that historically, women were not just excluded from participating in wrestling but were also subjected to strict customs during wrestling events.

In the past, women were barred from watching the sport. Over the years, although women were allowed to witness the game, they were restricted from going near the wrestling arena. At home, fetching water, bathing, and even weaving were restricted for women while their menfolk wrestled. In cases where an unmarried girl was pregnant, she had to perform marriage rituals before a wrestling event, as any violation of these customs was believed to bring misfortune upon the wrestlers.

Another elder shared that the indigenous sport is more than just a contest of strength—it represents the heritage, identity, and values of the Tenyimia community, who traditionally dominated Naga Wrestling in Nagaland and parts of Manipur.

One youth from Kohima Village raised concerns that modernising the sport to fit international standards might erode its authenticity. “The introduction of rules aligned with global traditional wrestling standards has led to a dilution of the unique characteristics that define Naga Wrestling. Traditional wrestling styles are often deeply rooted in cultural practices and local customs, and altering these to fit international norms can strip the sport of its authenticity. This dilution raises questions about the integrity of Naga Wrestling as a traditional form of competition, potentially alienating practitioners who value its original form,” the youth shared.

Globalising Naga Wrestling: A new direction

Viketouzo Meyase, Vice President of the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA), acknowledged the tension surrounding recent changes but emphasised the need for growth. Speaking to EastMojo, he stated that for Naga Wrestling to gain international recognition, it must align with the regulations of United World Wrestling (UWW), the governing body for Olympic wrestling.

He further explained that Nagaland is set to host the Asian Alysh Belt Wrestling Championship in 2025, providing an opportunity to showcase Naga Wrestling to an international audience, with nearly 30 countries expected to participate.

During such international championships, a traditional wrestling event is permitted. He revealed plans to introduce Naga Wrestling at the upcoming meet in Kohima. However, the UWW has stipulated that Naga Wrestling must adhere to its agreed terms and regulations.

According to Meyase, one of the key conditions set by UWW for global recognition is the inclusion of women in the sport, alongside the implementation of structured point systems and category-based participation—changes that, while controversial, are essential for taking Naga Wrestling to the global stage. He expressed hope that in five years Naga Wrestling would be globally recognised, opening doors for Naga wrestlers, both men and women.

Meyase also narrated how Naga Wrestling has changed over time. He recalled that in the past, the sport was played by young men between two villages or more to settle disputes and inter-village enmity. Traditionally, women were not allowed to witness the sport, as men wore traditional loincloths while grappling, often semi-naked.

However, over time, competitions have been introduced with cash rewards, allowing men to wear modern half-pants and implementing standardised wrestling rules across wrestling communities to promote the sport. Women were also no longer restricted from witnessing the ancient sport.

Changing perceptions

Professor Rosemary shared her experience, recalling how she grew up in a family of wrestlers. Though she does not get time to attend wrestling matches now, she said that her late mother was a passionate wrestling enthusiast who took the family to every tournament where her two uncles competed. Wrestling meets, she said, felt like family picnics at the local ground, where her mother would invite passersby to join and eat with them.

Dzüvichü fondly remembered how, because of her mother and her two uncles, Lhouphi Sorhie and Lhousilalie Sorhie, their family hosted large groups of wrestlers—including Maos, Zeliangs, and Chakhesangs—for dinner every night. She was amazed by the variety of food and menus shared during those gatherings.

For the Tenyimias, wrestling was a sacred tradition with strict customs. Women were not allowed near the ring and had to stay in distant galleries.

However, she recalled how her mother defied these norms and challenged the restriction. When she and another woman attempted to approach the wrestling arena to support their son and brother, the men shouted at them to stay back. Undeterred, she remembered her mother boldly questioning them: “How can you stop women who cook and feed you in the morning and bring your food of delicacies from standing near to watch you wrestle? Women as mothers and sisters have every right to stand and support their son and brother near the wrestling arena, not from far-off galleries.”

Faced with her strong argument, the men allowed them to stand near the wrestling area. Likely, she hinted that they hesitated to challenge her authority, as she was then the President of Kohima Village Women and later became the first woman member of the Angami Public Organisation (APO) as President of the Angami Women Organisation.

Challenges beyond cultural debate

Beyond the cultural debate, practical challenges persist. Wrestlers and officials highlight the lack of proper infrastructure, which hinders the sport’s progress. Unlike other mainstream sports with dedicated courts or fields, Naga Wrestling remains a seasonal sport, limiting opportunities for year-round training and development.

“There is no proper training hall for wrestlers. If we want to compete beyond Nagaland, we need full-time wrestling infrastructure for year-round training,” said former Naga Wrestling champion Vekhriyi Chuzo.

One of only three Naga wrestlers to have won the Naga Wrestling Championship, Open Naga Wrestling Championship, and Hornbill Wrestling Championship, Chuzo emphasised the need for a shift in training and dietary practices.

He noted that while earlier generations relied heavily on meat consumption to build strength, modern wrestlers should adopt healthier and more structured training regimes. This change, he said, is particularly crucial for wrestlers from underprivileged backgrounds, for whom maintaining a high-meat diet can be financially challenging.

Striking a balance

As Naga Wrestling enters a new era, officials are ensuring that the sport maintains a balance between tradition and modernisation.

Meyase affirmed that the biennial traditional Naga Wrestling Championship, exclusive to three tribes, will continue in its traditional format—without women’s participation and the newly introduced point system.

At the same time, the Open Naga Wrestling Championship, featuring men’s and women’s categories with a structured point system, will be conducted alternately. This initiative aims to elevate the sport to a global stage while preserving its deep-rooted heritage.

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