Sagol Kangjei : Modern Polo in traditional style

Khuman *

Sagol Kangjei exhibition match at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal on 2nd March 2017 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

Manipur – a north-eastern state offers many interesting things to see and to do for the travellers. Many people explored the beauty of fresh water lake "Loktak Lake", discovered the habitat of Brow antlered deer "Sangai – Keibul Lamjao National Park" and took heritage walk at "Kangla Fort".

In addition to these manmade and natural destinations here writing about ice-breaking information of indigenous game called SAGOL KANGJEI and popularly known as modern POLO throughout the world. Nowadays, seems that most of the people forgot that MODERN POLO took birth from the state of MANIPUR.

The modern POLO is known as SAGOL KANGJEI in local language. The literal meaning is "Hockey on Horseback". SAGOL means PONY/HORSE and KANGJEI means MALLET. The myth says that around 4th Millennium B.C. this game was introduced by King Kangba.

KANGDRUM – the polo ball made of bamboo root. KANGJEIROL – an ancient manuscript on Sagol Kanjei mentioned the Seven Players and their positional names in the game of Sagol Kangjei. It can be said that Manipur's equine culture is centered round the Manipuri pony, a hardy animal of height 11 to 13 hands.

In the mid-19th Century the British derived from Manipuri Sagol Kangjei to the modern game of Polo. Sagol Kangjei had been played at Mapal Kangjeibung since time immemorial. Some traditional rules of the indigenous game are listed below:-

About Ponies/Horses:-

o The average height of Manipuri Ponies is 11-13 hands.

Size of the Ground/Field:-

o Generally, Sagol Kangjei always plays in a rectangular field of the dimensions 210 yards in length and 100 yards in height. But under some circumstances it can be also played on smaller area.

Necessary Equipment for Ponies:-

o Saddle, Nakthing and round balls made of soft cotton. Nakthing are suspended on both sides of the pony from the saddle. Nakthang helps in the protection of the legs of the player. Round balls made of soft cotton are suspended from the head and back of the pony to protect from blows and also to serve as ornaments.

Necessary Equipment for Players:-

o Costume/Dress of a player is very simple. All players wear a borderless white dhoti, but it doesn't wear below the knee. A white turban on the head and fixed by a Khadangchet (Chin Strap). Upper part of the body is covered by a short sleeves cotton jacket. Ankles of a player are cover with Khunningkhang.

Khunningkhang is made of a piece of leather or cloth held by straps. Khudinngkhang protects the calves of a player. Players also wear Khongyom with straps. A cotton Jacket and Khadangchet are of different colours of the particular team in a match.

A player holds the Kanghui (mallet) on his right hand. The size of the mallet is about 4 ½ (four and half feet) long. The mallet is made of seasoned cane. The technique of holding the mallet is a player holds it leaving about 1 (one) foot to the upper end of the stick and upper end of the stick is covered with cloth for around 1 (one) and 1/2 (half) feet.

The head of the mallet is fixed to the polo head of about 8 – 10 inches long at an angle of 45 degrees. A player holds a lash made of thick leather pleated collectively along with a pair of reins which are attached to the bit.

Sagol Kangjei exhibition match at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal on 2nd March 2017 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

Players Positions and Names:-

o In a team there are 7 (Seven) players. In order to represent their respective positions during the game the players have definite names namely PUN-NGAKPA, PUN-NGAK-CHUNG, PALLAK, PANJENBA and PANJENCHUNG.

o The line along the width of the field (starting from the goal line) there is the PUN-NGAKPA. And, a little up towards the center of the field is the position of the PUN-NGAK-CHUNG and further up from the PUN-NGAK-CHUNG is for the PALLAK position. At the Center of the field is the LANGJEI.

The PANJENBA and PANJENCHUNG are the two forward players play against the opponent's PUN-NGAKPA and the PUN-NGAK-CHUNG respectively when the game begins. In a team, there is also one more PALLAK ahead of the LANGJEI.

o Also, said that Sagol Kangjei played among the Panas. In order to take part in a game, the players must belong to one of the Six Panas. And, Panas had their own traditional distinctive colour like for Ahallup – White Colour, for Naharup – Yellow Colour, for Khabam – Green Colour and for Laipham – Red Colour.

It was considered that Ahallup, Naharup, Khabam and Laipham were the higher class in the early times. The Hidakphanba and the Potsangba were the lower classes.

Style of Playing:-

o In the middle of the field behind the center line – the two teams will be lined themselves on their respective side of the field. Then, HUNTRE-HUNBA tosses the ball high up in the air vertically shouting HUNTRE to indicate the start of the play officially. The voice tone of the shouting HUNTRE is quite mesmerizing.

The HUNTRE-HUNBA move-back quickly. The responsibility of the HUNTRE-HUNBA is very important because he is the one to repeats the procedure officially to start the play again after a goal has been scored and when the play begins after an interval.

o KANGBUREL – A decision maker of the game. He watches the game attentively and remains outside the field. Decisions of the KANGBUREL are final regarding the conduct of the game.

o Goal Judges are also there. The 2 (two) goal judges will raise a White Flag on the respective goal line when a goal has been scored.

o The ball of the Sagol Kangjei is called KANGDRUM and it is made from the seasoned bamboo root and white in colour. The size of the KANGDRUM is about 100 mm in diameter and weight is about 150 gms.

o Once the HUNTRE-HUNBA has tossed the ball high up in the air vertically then the players are at liberty to strike the ball by the mallet before it reaches the earth.

o The traditional rules of the game were very simple. The traditional rules about the game were indifferent to any kind of foul. It was governed by THAKSI-KHASI (Social Etiquette) which compelled a player to play fair.

o About the foul – it is up to the decision of the Kangburel whether the player should be easily warned or stopped from playing further in the match.

Sagol Kangjei exhibition match at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal on 2nd March 2017 :: Pix - Lamdamba Oinam

Rule for a Goal Scored:-

o In early times, there were no goal posts. A goal is scored by a team when the KANGDRUM (ball) crosses the terminal line of the field on the other side i.e. the line on the width of the play field.

o Goal scored formally during the play is announced by the blow of a conch or the sounding of a bugle.

Duration of the Game:- o For all these unique rules of the game, it is popular throughout the world. Since the beginning, there was no definite time duration of a match. In the early times, the total number of goals to be scored was fixed by the two teams of the play at the start of a match.

When the total scored reached half the number fixed agreed upon there will be a PUL-ONBA means change of ends. Players and Ponies could be substituted when necessary during the match.

Way to identify the Winner of a game:-

o The winner of a game is the team who makes maximum goals.

It is indeed a pride for all of us to know that today the world knows that the game of Polo originated from Manipur. In present, many people are witnessing GAME OF POLO, but with a difference.

Every year, during the SANGAI FESTIVAL in the month of November from 21st to 30th organize International Polo Tournament at Mapal Kangjeibung, Imphal. SANGAI FESTIVAL is the tourism festival of Manipur in the month of November and perfect time to witness and explore the uniqueness of the state fully.