Elephant polo in Nepal

firkin

firkin

Joined
Jan 26, 2002
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An old site, but here's a pix.

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...invitation-only World Elephant Polo Association games held every December (December 8-13, 1994) at the Tiger Tops Jungle Lodge in southern Nepal.

Dunno if they're still active...

And khuks? I think the upheld prize is one.

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The winners of the best-dressed team each receive an engraved silver khukri, the
traditional gurkha knife worn by all well-dressed gurkha soldiers in Nepal. The uncontested
winners one year were the J&B Rare Whiskey team, who throughout the tournament
sported jackets garishly striped in J&B’s colors – yellow, red and green. As Edwards
awarded them their prizes, he declared than “anyone who could wear those jackets in
public and be proud deserves an award.”
 
They used to have these games several times a year when I was in Nepal but I think due to recent floods and Maoist activities the games may have been curtailed.
 
I'd imagine that any activity that has as strong a relation to customs brought by British colonists and the aura of wealth would really chafe the Maoists' backsides--probably safer for all to discontinue. Indications are that the Maoists are probably wacko enough to try and kill participants, including "guilty" elephants. Seems that properly run, the games could generate money for needy Nepali humans and pachyderms though.
 
I wonder what the elephants think, and how fast they are willing to run after a ball.
 
Interesting stuff.

Looks like Nepal is still trying to drum up some tourist trade but the folks on the street say it's the worst year in last 20.
 
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