Margaret SasserThe Ema Market or Mother’s Market in Imphal, India, which is run exclusively by female sellers, has a long and rich history. Even though the market itself is thousands of years old, the legacy of bravery and strength left by the women who have kept it alive remains constant. Since the days of the Indian Rebellion on 1857, this market represents more than a place to buy and sell goods. It continues to empower and enable women to come together and have open discussions on issues facing their communities and their country.
Along with being active in political discussions, the women also elect a president and secretaries for the Mother’s Market. The democratic elections are held every five years, allowing leadership with the market to evolve and grow through the years. Nevertheless, all of the women in this community are allowed to speak their mind and voice their opinions at any time.
Women travel from far and wide to sell at the Ema Market, some even arriving as early as 4 or 5 am. They begin preparing for the day by weighing fish and calculating wholesale prices and don’t return back to their homes until 12 hours later. Women are encouraged to share knowledge with one another, as well as solve problems within the market together as a team.
Mothers pass down their spots in the market to their daughters or daughter-in-laws, making this market a long-standing tradition in many families. Visitors can find anything cloth to vegetables. You can also find handcrafted jewelry and clothing!
If you’re visiting the market for the first time and have an adventurous palate, be on the lookout for “Yongchak”, a unique legume that’s found in many Southeast Asian dishes. Rich with nutrients, yongchak is often used for medicinal purposes to treat high blood pressure and stomach problems. Dried fish, as well as ghost peppers, can also be found in the marketplace.
This market is always bustling and crowded with vendors and shoppers. In the early days, no men were involved in any aspect of the market. Now, there are a few more that work as porters-helping with heavy lifting and acting as guards occasionally. However, it’s still not considered acceptable for men to hang around idly around the market for too long. In general, the market is considered to be a safe place for the women, even though many of them arrive in the early morning hours and leave when the sun goes down.
The independence and headstrong attitude that the female vendors possess is truly admirable. Especially in the current political climate that many women are facing in countries across the globe, experiencing the tradition of courage and determination set forth by the women of the Ema Market is nothing short of inspiring. You won’t regret including this destination in your next trip to India!
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