| Year: | 33 CE |
| Type: | headdress (headgear) |
| On Display At: | in many occasions and places, including the Indian Parliament |
Kokyet (Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯀꯣꯛꯌꯦꯠ), sometimes also spelled as Koyet, Koyyet, Koiyet, is a traditional Meitei men's headdress.[1] [2] It is made in twelve distinct designs. It is used in different Meitei cultural ceremonies, festivals, occasions, etc. It is used by both the common people as well as the royal people.[3] Its design is derived from the two horns of ancient Meitei deity Pakhangba, who could transfigure into many different divine forms. It is also the sacred protective symbolic representation of Sidaba of traditional Meitei religion (Sanamahism).[4] [5]
The existence of Kokyet (Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯀꯣꯛꯌꯦꯠ) dates back to the era of Meitei king Nongda Lairen Pakhangba (c. 33 CE) in Ancient Kangleipak (early Manipur). He used it as Kokyet Pheiyet (Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯀꯣꯛꯌꯦꯠ ꯐꯩꯌꯦꯠ), one of the designs of the costume.[6] [7] [8]
Since 2023, the Kokyet is used as a uniform item for the marshals of the Indian Parliament (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha[9] [10]), as chosen by the Union Government of India.The Kokyet which is used as a uniform is designed by Yumnam Bhumeshwor Singh (Yuva Awardee Sangeet Natak Akademi New Delhi,Government of India) a Nata Sankirtana artiste,Music Composer and Choreographer.[11] [12] The newly designed Kokyet drew inspiration from the "Salai Taret Kokyet" (Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯁꯂꯥꯏ ꯇꯔꯦꯠ ꯀꯣꯛꯌꯦꯠ), possessing seven colours representing seven Meitei clans, combined with another Meitei traditional handicraft "Lamthang Khullak" (Manipuri: {{Script|Mtei|ꯂꯝꯊꯥꯡ ꯈꯨꯜꯂꯛ).[13] [14]
Upon the reception of the Meitei traditional dress in the national level, Sunzu Bachaspatimaym, the then secretary of Manipur State Film Development Society (MSFDS),[15] [16] commented: