Ro Pagoda Bull Racing Festival

The 10th Chua Ro Bull Racing Festival in 2024 was held on September 8th. This is a unique cultural feature of the Khmer ethnic people in the Bay Nui region of An Giang province, celebrated annually during the Sene Dolta festival.

The 10th Chua Ro Ox Racing Festival in 2024 features 24 outstanding pairs of oxen belonging to Khmer people in Tri Ton district and Tinh Bien town, An Giang province. Photo: Cong Mao - TTXVN.

The 10th Chua Ro Ox Racing Festival in 2024 featured 24 outstanding pairs of oxen from Khmer people in Tri Ton district and Tinh Bien town, An Giang province. The festival attracted a large number of locals and tourists from all over the provinces and cities to watch and cheer, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere that fostered ethnic unity.

From early morning, tens of thousands of tourists and locals of all ages flocked to watch the event. Everyone tried to arrive early to choose a good viewing spot. This was also an opportunity for visitors from near and far to enjoy the specialties of the Bay Nui region of An Giang. In particular, the Chua Ro bull racing festival attracted hundreds of photographers and reporters from domestic and international media outlets to participate, immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere, and discover the beauty of the Bay Nui region of An Giang.

The organizing committee presents commemorative flags to the bull owners participating in the 10th Chu Ro Bull Racing Festival in 2024. Photo: Cong Mao - VNA

The competing oxen are meticulously cared for by their owners using their own secret techniques, and the ox handlers have been training for months to win the top prize. Before the race, the owners draw lots to choose which oxen go first and which go second; usually, the second pair has an advantage. If, during the shouting round, either oxen veer off the track or step on the harrow (a wooden plank 30cm wide and 90cm long with harrow teeth underneath) of the oxen in front, they are disqualified. However, in the releasing round, the oxen only need to step on the harrow of the oxen in front to win, while the handler must remain standing; if they fall or are thrown off the harrow during the race, they are considered to have lost.

Entering the competition, the two pairs of oxen will compete in a format of one shouting round and one releasing round ("the shouting round" - is a round for the oxen to familiarize themselves with the racetrack and demonstrate the skill of the ox handlers; the "releasing round" - when the referee gives the signal, the ox handlers use a "xà-lul" (a round piece of wood about 3 cm in diameter with a sharp nail at the end) to prod the hindquarters of their two oxen, forcing them to exert all their strength to sprint to the finish line. The winning pair of oxen will advance to the next round. The champion pair must participate in all rounds and eliminate each direct competitor.

From start to finish, the festive atmosphere was filled with applause, cheers, and encouragement for the pairs of oxen fiercely competing for the finish line. In the race area, water from the rice paddies splashed up during the thrilling chases, and the shouts of excitement made the festival even more lively, vibrant, and captivating.

The pairs of oxen speed along towards the finish line. Photo: Cong Mao - VNA.

Mr. Chau Hunl (An Cu commune, Tinh Bien town) said that when participating in the Khmer ethnic group's bull racing festival, the bull owners and "bull riders" don't care about the prize, winning or losing; the main thing is to have fun and strengthen the bonds of friendship between different ethnic groups.

According to the Khmer people of the Bay Nui region in An Giang province, bull racing holds a very special meaning. The pair of bulls that win the top prize each year are carefully cared for by their owners so that they can participate in the race again the following year. Winning bulls not only bring pride to their owners but also bring joy and strength to the entire village, inspiring them to achieve success in other areas. Healthy bulls are strong and resilient, excellent for plowing, making planting easier for the villagers and leading to a bountiful harvest, ensuring prosperity for the community.

The pairs of oxen competed fiercely in the release round, determined to achieve the best result. Photo: Cong Mao - VNA

It's unknown when the bull racing festival originated, but according to elders in the Bay Nui region of An Giang province, in the old days, during the rice planting season, many Khmer farmers from villages and hamlets would bring their bulls to plow the fields of Khmer temples, a practice called "praying for merit." After plowing, they would urge their bulls to "race" to see which pair of bulls was faster and stronger. The monks and priests, seeing this, would organize the event (like referees), offering a prize: the pair of bulls that plowed well and ran fast would receive a "Catha" (a bell worn around the bull's neck). The following year, they would continue plowing the temple's land, and from then on, the Bay Nui bull racing became an annual traditional festival of the Khmer people in An Giang province.

In 2016, the Bay Nui An Giang bull racing festival was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a national intangible cultural heritage. It is one of the outstanding cultural and sporting events of An Giang province for many years, alternately hosted by Tri Ton district and Tinh Bien town, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists to watch the bull races and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the mystical That Son region.

The pairs of oxen competed fiercely in the release round, determined to achieve the best result. Photo: Cong Mao - VNA

According to Mr. Huynh Thanh Hai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Cu commune (Tinh Bien town), the Chua Ro bull racing festival in particular, and the bull racing festival of the Khmer people in the Bay Nui region of An Giang in general, has transcended the boundaries of a traditional sport of the Khmer people in the mountainous areas of Southern Vietnam, becoming the "soul" that adds brilliance to the beauty of the Bay Nui region of An Giang.

“The bull racing festival is not simply about bulls racing each other; it has become a unique custom and belief of the Khmer ethnic people during the annual Sene Dolta festival. The festival is not only associated with the custom of praying for favorable weather, a bountiful harvest, and a more prosperous life, but also reflects the enthusiastic spirit of the Khmer people, making the festival a playground, a place to enjoy culture and rediscover valuable ethnic traditions, fostering beautiful and humane community feelings,” emphasized Huynh Thanh Hai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of An Cu Commune.

This is also a form of education, propaganda, and transmission to future generations of the ideology of solidarity, selfless sharing in work, and strengthening human connections.

Cong Mao (VNA)

Source: https://baophutho.vn/hoi-dua-bo-chua-ro-net-van-hoa-doc-dao-cua-dong-bao-khmer-218552.htm