Historical perspective of Sagol-Kangjei
- Part 2 -

Hijam Rajendra *

Stick (Hockey stick)

The polo stick (Kangjei) consist of a long shaft of bamboo with a head of hard-wood sat on obtuse angle which is much greater than is usual among the European players. The Meiteis boys play nd practice in their local field (Lampak) with such Kangjei & ball (kangdrim) even today in our rural areas, who are not afford to purchase the modern hockey stick.

I still recall in my mind where we played the game with such Kangjei and ball at our village lampak/field with our friends, however it was not 'Sagol Kangjei" but Kangjei sanaba ( a typical hockey game) Ball (Kangdrum) is made of bamboo root. Such endegeneous article were used in the olden days. Such raw-materials are easily found because every Meiteis houses were surrounded by bamboo trees as such materials for making hockey stick and ball/kangdrum were easily available.

The Meiteis regarded Waa as a big brother because it protect us from bright sunshine, thieves, wild wind and wild beast etc. But with the passage oftime such traditional articles were not used, instead we used the latest tools/ hockey stick and ball etc. The Meiteis pony has a special quality in the area of games and sport as well as in war front. They (pony) are very intelligent, copact and strong and very suitable for polo game as well as very efficient in movement, so they are using for claimbing the steep high hill section.

It is noted that the Meiteis pony became the main cause of liquidation of the Kacharies of Assam. Regarding the body structures of the pony, it is describe as, "the animal is within the range of 11 to 13 hands and the average body weight is 280 kgs. Measurement of guard and body length are between 52''62'' and 47''-57'' respectively. The colour are variable, in different shades. Black colour is not found. The ear of the animals is small pointed and priced. Eye are alert and slightly slant. The areas of the upper Muzzele between the nostrils is rather flats and free deep crip. Withers are not too prominants. Skin is thick with tough hairs."

Inherent quality of Meiteis in horsemanship: The arts of horsemanship is inherent to the Meiteis; because every Meiteis even during their childhood days study the arts of "horse-riding". They earn/gather more knowledge when they are grown up. So every Meiteis are skillful in horsemanship. By virtue of their skillfulness the Meiteis can easily defeated the "Awa" (Burmese) in the war front. It is also recorded that the "Awas" the Burmese were taught by the Meiteis armies. During the reign of king, "Urinhongba" Khagemba- they were able to defeat their enemies at "Khampat" war during 1470; by virtue of their talented services in horsemanship.

Formation of team: Formation of group (team) was related with Meiteis religion. Yek, Salais, day etc. It required seven items because every indigenous religion service require seven fruits, seven flowers, commonly known as "Heiram-taret," Leinam-taret" (Leiram- different verity of flowers) target-seven (Heiram Taret=seven different kind of fruits items) It is a most, because eiteis do have seven clans, salais, thanking this noble concept/logic of seven salais, the Meiteis represent seven members as a team, representing seven days etc.

Rules of the Game: Polo game is played between two teams consisting of two group and each team will consist of seven players each. During the reign of Maharaja Chandrakiti, he introduced regular polo game was introduced at "Mapal Kangjeibung" on the ground of "Sana Lamjei" (160 long and 80 ft wide) being one lamjei equal to 6 ft.

The game can be play in smaller ground also if occasion demand under existing rules except restriction adopted by Maharaja Churachand Singh KCSI CBE "Tupnaba Yadaba" crossing line of approach of the players while the ball under his control in 1928. Earlier, there was no definite rules for foul in traditional Sagol-Kangjei. In the earlier days Manipur produce distinguished players of outstanding like "Yubaraja Tikendrajit" commander of Meiteis armies. He had been describe by Mrs Grimwood, as legendary player during (1887-90).

Judged from the historical facts, it is prove beyond dispute that "Manipur is the birth place of Polo game Sagol Kangjei". There was no exact size of the polo-field, however when the Vicroy of India Lord Curzon visited India/Manipur in the year 1901, he made measurement of the present Imphal Kangjeibung and found it to be 225 yards in length and 110 yards in breath. During the olden days there was no goal posts. We generally assumed goal only when the ball crossed the endline of the width of the field.

Regarding, the number of players king Khagemba (1597-1652) fixed it to be seven on one side and these seven players have different positions viz (1) Panjenba =forward, (2) Panjenchang= forward no two (3) Pallak=mid fielder (4) Pan-ngakpa=full back (5) pan ngakchang=half back. During the reign of Meidengu Khagemba such "pana kangjei" was introduced. The above division of labour (a) Ahallup pana (b) Naharup pana, Khabam pana, Laipham pana, Hidakphaba Potsangbam. Among these first four panas were superior and generally matches were played amongst them. However, the last two panas could also played amongst themselves. In case when they played the game by combination of the above players from different teams (Panas) then it is called as "Chers Kare".

Sagol Kangjei being played at Mapal Kangjeibung sometime in early March 2009.

Methods of playing the game: The players of different panas will assemble before the play started. We know that the play is started only when the team mounted on their respective ponies, lining up in the middle of the field faching each other and other and the throwing up the ball in the air with a loud cry "Hantre" by an official commonly known as "Huntre Hunba" who retreated speedily outside the field after the throwing. Such rules or common procedure will be reapted for every score is made.

I have mention that the ball/kangdrum is made of seasoned bamboo root, even today young lads of the villages used such ball. The size of the "Kangdrum" is four inches in circumference and painted white or long mallet, used to hit the ball in four feet six inches long. Only, when "Hantre" is conducted, the players can either hit the ball with the stick in the air or on the ground or permit to catch the ball with his own hands. In the latter period or case he can carry the ball with him towards the opposite goal line and near the goal line, he either drops the ball on the ground and hit it or toses the ball up in the air hit it in the mid-air towards the goal line.

Dress of players: Dr TC Hodson, mentioned about the dress, I like to add a few words in simple language. That all the players used to wear a white dhoti well tucked up above the knees. Every players has to put head-gear commonly known as "Khokyat" held as the "Khadangchet" is worn (chin-strap) to protect the shine and calvas. Khuning Khang to protect the heel and ankles of the players.

The traditional strip has a flat base and the foot hold quite narrow. A player placed his naked toe not the arch of his sole, in the stir-up. A simple 'Inafee" known as "Chanam-maru" is used as reins. The stick is made of seasoned cane which are adequately found at Chingmei hills and northern hills.

Concluding remark : That there is no dispute to say that polo game is originated from Manipur. Today, for the development and also to preserve our traditional game in the world class, A polo club isestablished in Manipur with number of distinguish persons as its members and they are also the lover of polo game.

Every district in Manipur have their own Polo Assan. The main head office of the polo is at Lamphel, Imphal west dist. To my humble view, the Govt of Manipur should keep its special eye for development of Polo game; because it is unique game of Manipur and it is famous all over the world. The British Polo club visited Manipur and witness the Polo game played at Mapan Kangjeipung.

It is the moral duty of the Manipur government to allocate more resources for its development and also to encourage the polo players by providing various incentives; otherwise they may not able to devote more attention to this game. The popularity of this game depend upon the excellent performance of our players; so as to develop their skill and talent the concern authority should provide monetary incentives; but it is regret to observe that many ponies are scattering here and there in our roads and even some of it spent at the road side in the mid-night.

The authority concern has to look into this matter and it is also unfortunate that our ponies are sometime use for transporting of country mad "Yu" from Yu producing places like Phayeng, Sekmai, Khurkhul, Tirenpokpi villages and so on. Such unwanted thing should be given up, instead of it we have to train them and the owner of the ponies should take care of the animals rather to keep the ponies here and there.

(Concluded)

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* Hijam Rajendra wrote the article for Huieyen Lanpao (English Edition)
This article was webcasted on August 24 2010.

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