Hole Taso Dukanaram

Hole Taso Dukanaram is a peculiar game which involves the imitation of an animal called Hole Taso. This animal is quite like a cat, and runs around beating its chest alternately with both its front paws. Another remarkable feature of this animal is its ability to hold a third leg in the air, while scampering around. Consequently, the game tests a contestant's overall balance, strength and coordination.

Hinam Turnam

The local people call it the struggle of life and death. In this game, the participants assume the role of the hunter and the hunted in the forest. The dilemma of the hapless hunter, who having missed the prey due to poor marksmanship, follows and catches up with it and seizes it by the third leg, is also part of the game.

Porok - Pamin Sinam or Cock - fighting

With one leg held in his hand and the other hand on his shoulder, the contestant has one leg to hop on, and achieve his objective of pushing his opponent out of the circle. Any of the two players who falls to the ground, or loses his hold on his leg, or steps out of the circle, is disqualified.

The indigenous games of Nagaland

The picturesque state of Nagaland is home to numerous tribes, who possess a fascinating wealth of vibrant festivals and traditional songs, dances and games.

The most popular sport in the state by far, is an indigenous form of wrestling. The bouts start with the contestants holding each other's waist girdles. As soon as the signal is given, both the wrestlers try to throw off each other. A combination of various leg tricks and sheer brawn are employed to achieve victory, but the use of hands on an opponent's legs is considered a foul, though hands can be used to hold other parts of the body, waist upwards.

A wrestler is declared the winner if he can throw off his opponent, and in the process, get the trunk of the opponent to touch the ground, taking care not to let his own trunk do so. The wrestler who succeeds in pulling or thrusting down his opponent, or forces him into a kneeling position with both knees and one hand, or one knee and both hands touching the ground simultaneously, also wins. It takes three bouts to decide the result. Naga wrestling is quite popular amongst the Angami, Chakhesang, Zeliang, Rengma and Mao tribes. The sport has acquired an all - Nagaland sports status, and each alternate year a competition is held.

The other prominent sport in Nagaland is cock - fighting. This sport consists of kicking, solely, with the legs, and is quite similar in technique to Tae - Kwan - Do. The contestants stand apart on their marks and exchange kicks. The use of hands to hit or catch is absolutely forbidden. The barrage of kicks goes on until one party or the other surrenders. The kicks can be inflicted on any part of the body except the groin. This game, most popular amongst the Sema tribe, demands superb strength and agility, speed and awesome leg work.