MOMO the Brahminy Kite : MASCOT of ASIAN PARA GAMES 2018

Following the highly popular Asian Games 2018 cuddly Mascots of  Bhin-Bhin –  the Bird of Paradise of Papua;  Atung – the rare Bawean Deer – and Kaka – the near extinct one-horned Javan Rhino at Ujung Kulon National Park in West Java, the Asian Para Games 2018 committee has selected Momo – the Brahminy Kite as  mascot of The Asian Para Games which will be staged at Jakarta’s renowned Gelora Bung Karno Sports Stadium from 6-13 October 2018  

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Momo is the nickname given to the “Elang Bondol” or Brahminy Kite (Haliasturindus) mascot, which stands for MOtivation and MObility, the motto for athletes competing in the Games.

Image source:  https://asianparagames2018.id/

The Brahminy Kite also happens to be the mascot of the city of Jakarta.  For, to Jakarta’s indigenous Betawi population  the sea eagle is the symbol of strength and courage that are virtues indispensable to  all athletes, and indeed the world, to press on to reach one’s goals and  to be able to adapt to this rapidly changing world.  Momo  as mascot is for this reason dressed in the traditional Betawi costume representing a warrior and a cultural hero. Along with the Snake Fruit (Salak Condet), the Brahminy Kite or here better known as ‘Elang Bondol’ were established as Jakarta’s mascots in 1989.

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The Brahminy Kite is quite distinctive and has contrasting colors.  It has predominant chestnut plumage except for its white head and breast, and black wing tips. Its young are browner, but can be distinguished from both the resident and migratory black kites in Asia by their paler appearance, shorter wings, and rounded tail. The pale patch on the underwing carpal region is of a squarish shape and is different from the Buteo buzzard’s (a genus of medium to fairly large, wide-ranging raptors with a robust body and broad wings). The Brahminy Kite has also almost the same size as the black kite (Milvusmigrans) and has a typical kite flight, with wings angled, but its tail is rounded, differing from the Milvus species that include the red kites and the black kites, which have forked tails.

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This kite is a familiar sight in the skies of Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia and as far south as New South Wales, Australia, throughout which region it is widespread and resident. They perform seasonal movements associated with rainfall in some parts and fly within their range.

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In Hinduism, the bird is considered the contemporary representation of Garuda, the sacred bird of the God Vishnu. While for the Iban Dayak in the Upper Rajang,  in Sarawak, Borneo, the Brahminy Kite is believed to be the manifestation of the Singalang Bird when he comes down to earth. 

The Singalang Bird is the ultimate deity of incomparable qualities and superior abilities in every dimension, who is venerated as the god of war.

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