"Fruit that would have done credit to Covent Garden"
- Sir James Johnstone, British Political Agent, Manipur
Come summer – pineapples are everywhere in Manipur. Known as Kihom in Manipuri, Anarokh in Assamese, Ananas in Bengali; this juicy and succulent tropical fruit is one of the popular cash crops of Manipur. Grown mostly on the slopes of the foot-hills, the fruit is famous for its fleshy flavour and delicious taste. While the outer appearance looks spiky, the inner is fibrous and yellow in colour. Free from fat and cholesterol and rich in vitamin C, it’s well known for its anti-oxidant properties. A plant of the genus Ananas in the family Bromeliaceae, pineapple is eaten fresh, cooked, juiced or preserved etc.
The fruit is believed to have been originated in Brazil and
Paraguay in South America. Afterwards, some Europeans, including Christopher
Columbus, first discovered it in 1493 on the Caribbean Island of Guadeloupe. Back
in Europe, members of European royal families liked it for its taste and tried to
grow in hot houses. The rich, the elite, the noble, all had taken the fruit as
a status symbol even.
The fruit starts expanding its growing base areas in many tropical
regions. Today, the half of the total world produce is said to have
concentrated in Southeast Asian countries. Philippines top the production chart, while
countries like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia are following closely. In mainland India, the Portuguese had
reportedly introduced it in 1548 AD.
A variety known as Yelhang Kihom
Unknown to the outside world, the fruit in fact has long been
growing in Manipur since time immemorial. The local variety can be broadly
divided into two types namely: 1) Meitei Kihom, and 2) Yelhang Kihom. The
countryside at Ngariyan, Andro, Kaina, Thayong, and Waithou in Imphal East and
Thoubal districts respectively are where Meitei Kihom – Queen type – is growing
mostly. Khousabung, Bunglon, Ningthiching, Phunchongjang villages of
Churachandpur district are nursery-beds of Yelhang Kihom – Kew variety. While the
Q starts arriving in local markets from May onwards, the K follows from August
to October. About the quality of local Kihom, Sir James Johnstone, the British
political agent posted in Manipur (1877-1886), once wrote in his book, My
Experiences in Manipur and the Naga Hills; “Here I have seen boat-loads of
pineapples landed, fruit that would have done credit to Covent Garden”.
It’s customary for Manipuri Hindu followers to offer this fruit to Lainingthou Sanamahi, the Meitei family deity, and Lord Jagannath, during the nine-day Rathajatra festival held in the month of July every year. While the Q is sweeter than K, the latter is bigger in size and juicier. The weight varies from one to three kg., while the price ranges from 10 to 25 INR. The fruit is mostly grown organically – without chemical fertilizer and pesticide. The poor farmers can’t afford the luxury of costly inputs and it’s a blessing for health conscious consumers. Moreover, farm-yard manure and compost are easily available. Elevated foot-hills where rain-water can be drained naturally are suitable for the plant. The soil and climatic condition here are conducive for the growth of the fruit. Pineapple leaves are used to extract fiber yarn also.
Meitei Kihom -- sweet and succulent
In the early eighties, Manipur Agriculture department
produced and marketed pineapple juice, jam, and jelly under the brand names
Magfruit and Heirang respectively. The products were found very popular and
even exported to Russia. A fruit processing and cold storage Co-operative Society at Lamphelpat, Imphal, also once tried its best to market pineapple
products. A couple of small time private enterprises are also working here.
To encourage marginal farmers, a State level “Pineapple Fair
cum Youth Festival” popularly known as Kihom Mela, at Yairipok Thambalnu
Keithel of Poiroukhongjin village, is held every year by Development
Organisation Andro Kendra (DOAK). This non-descript Keithel is situated on the
roadside leading to the Govindajee Temple of Kaina. The Temple was established
by Manipur king Rajashri Bhagyachandra (1764 – 1789) and lies 29 km southeast of
Imphal. A pilgrimage destination of Hindu faith and birth-place of famed Ras Leela,
Kaina is known for its scenic landscape of lotus flower and surrounding hills.
The area is literally full of pineapples. With unstinting support from local
MLA, Shri Th. Shyamkumar Singh, this Mela
includes a Pineapple Beauty Contest also. The students of Andro Assembly
Constituency, who secured positions in their annual examinations of class X and
XII, are being rewarded during the festival.
Manipur is tucked
away in the northeastern part of India situated
between latitude 230 83’ N to 250 68’
N and longitude 930 03’ E to 940 78’
E covering an area of 22,327 sq km., surrounded by Myanmar on the east,
Mizoram, Assam, and Nagaland on the south, west, and north respectively. The
altitude ranges from 40 m at Jiribam to 2,994 m at Mt. Iso peak. The State has
varying climatic areas ranging from sub-alpine mountaintop of Senapati
district to hot and humid plain of Jiribam, bordering Cachar district of south
Assam. With average annual rainfall of 1,467 mm, many fruits thrive in here.
The orange of Tamenglong, the lemon of Kachai (Ukhrul), are other popular
horticultural products of the State. Manipur pineapple, however, is reported to
be suitable in humid areas, not above 1000 m from the mean sea level, with
temperature 220 – 320 Celsius and rainfall around 100 –
150 cm.
Konjengbam
Kameshore
