Sagol Kangjei gear finds a niche in USA museum
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 19, 2012: On behalf of the people of Manipur, Governor Gurbachan Jagat has donated a unique gift of traditional Manipur Polo (Sagol Kangjei) gear to the International Museum of the Horse at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, USA.

According to a Raj Bhavan release, the donation was arranged by Dr RK Nimai Singh, Secretary to the Governor and L Somi Roy, film and media arts curator of New York.

The gifts have been designed and constructed by Meisnam Khelen of Khurai Thongam Leikai, former Captain of the Manipur Polo team following the most authentic process and materials.

They include traditional Manipuri wooden saddle, braided bridle, and braided leather whip, a full set of traditional Polo player's attire, two traditional Polo mallets and a ball.

On top of these gifted Sagol Kangjei gear, Somi Roy also made an additional gift of traditional Manipuri darts (Arambai) with peacock feathers, also made by Khelen.

Even though Manipur is the origin of modern Polo, most of the people do not know this fact.

Governor Gurbachan Jagat has expressed hope that this small gift will at least provide a window to the glorious Polo tradition of Manipur to the outside world.

Accepting the gifts, Director of the International Museum of the Horse Bill Cooke has said, "We are extremely grateful to the Governor and the people of Manipur not only for the significant donation of ethnographic materials related to Manipuri Pony and Polo in Manipur, but also for allowing us to do our small part to raise awareness of these historically significant animals and the current threat of their extinction".

The donated gifts would be displayed in the Museum's permanent exhibition called 'The Horse in Sports'.

The Manipuri Sagol Kangjei will be featured alongside English Polo, tracing the origins and history of modern Polo.

Expected to open to the public in the Spring of 2012, the exhibition panel will display Manipuri Sagol Kangjei and English Polo in traditional attire as well as video and photographic displays.

In addition, the Museum will add the Manipuri Pony, or the Meitei Sagol, to its online exhibition 'Horse Breeds of the World' and will highlight the breed's special characteristics, its importance in the region and culture of Manipur and its present endangered condition.

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