Gear up, people! It’s time to explore some of the traditional sports of Arunachal Pradesh that are so unique and amusing that they’ll get you wondering if they’re even real. From Hole Taso Dukan- aram to Porok – Pamin Sinam we bring you a lighthearted and humorous take on Arunachal Pradesh’s unconventional sports.

1. Hole Taso Dukanaram –

A game which involves the imitation of an animal called Hole Taso. The animal quite like a cat, runs around beating its chest alternately with both its front paws. The most striking feature of this animal is its ability to hold a third leg in the air, while scampering around. Yes , you need a little bit of your imagination here as we ate all those animals while hunting and it’s out of sight. Back to the topic, therefore the game demands overall balance, strength and coordination.

        The game requires two teams, each with ten members, and the objective is to tag the opposing team as many times as possible. Accuracy and speed are key elements of the game, and it’s not called the “ultimate game of tag” for nothing. Imagine being chased around a field all day long like a wild boar! Oh, yes, I am serious.

2. Hinam Turnam –

The local people call the game a struggle of life and death. The participants here in the game assume the role of the hunter and the hunted in the forest. Part of the game involves the hunter, having missed the prey due to poor marksmanship, following and catching up with it and seizing it by the third leg.

3. Archery –

Archery is a traditional sport that’s celebrated throughout the state. But in Arunachal Pradesh, Archery is more than just shooting arrows – it’s a social gathering, an art form, and a way of life. The locals take their archery seriously, and competitions are held regularly. Just don’t get in the way of someone’s arrow – those things are deadly!

4. Dapo Nyarka Sunam (Bamboo Wrestling)-

Bamboo wrestling is played by the male members of the tribe with a round bamboo stick, roughly about three inches in diameter and about one and a half yards long. Each player is required to grasp the bamboo under their right armpit and push their opponents as hard as they can. The ones who first drop their opponents win the match.Sounds easy, right? But you haven’t even tried it yet, have you?

5. Dak-Dal Dakasunam (Stick Walk) –

Dak-Dal is a game of balance and is very popular all over the state. This game can be played by both males and females. The only thing required to play the game is a 3-metre long bamboo or wood stick (preferably a burnished and handy one.) Each player has to lift both their legs on a small log made on the bottom of the bamboo to support their legs. Those who first reach the finish line without falling are declared the winners.

6.Seenene Chaksunam (Bamboo Climbing)-

Seene Chaksunam is similar to pole climbing competitions, which are played by the male members of the community. In this game, several polished bamboo poles or wood poles of 3 ft or more are firmly laid vertically on the ground. Players have to ascend as high as possible, and those who manage to climb the highest are the winners.

7. Porok – Pamin Sinam or Cock – fighting –

In this game the contestant has to hold one leg in his hand and the other hand on his shoulder and 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.

Apart from the above mentioned ones, there are many more traditional sports in Arunachal Pradesh that our forefathers used to play back in their time. However, as time progressed, people started adapting to the more popular games & sporting events practiced around the globe and got lesser drawn to playing the traditional sports. As a result, these traditional sporting events are being slowly forgotten by the present generation.

In conclusion, the traditional sports of Arunachal Pradesh are a unique and amusing way of celebrating local heritage. If you ever find yourself in Arunachal Pradesh, give these games a try, or at least watch the locals play. You might even pick up a few tricks and turn into the next Hinam Turnam champion!