Western Khmer people compete in bull racing festival

The annual bull racing festival of the Khmer people in the Bay Nui region took place excitingly, attracting 25,000 spectators, the first prize winner received a motorbike and 30 million VND.

People flocked to the bull racing ground at Ta Pa - Soai Chek Sports and Tourism Area, Tri Ton District, on the morning of October 14 to watch the performance of 56 pairs of bulls, who passed the selection round and competed at the district level.

The 28th bull racing competition is held on the occasion of the Khmer Sene Dolta (ancestor worship ceremony), from August 29 to September 1 of the lunar calendar every year. This is the time when people in the mountainous areas prepare for the new rice crop. Initially, farmers from the phum and soc (similar to hamlets and villages) bring their bulls to plow and harrow the fields for free, doing meritorious work for the pagodas. After plowing, they race to see which pair of bulls is faster and stronger.

The best and fastest plowing oxen were awarded a pair of ca tha (bells worn around the ox's neck) by the monks. Over time, Bay Nui ox racing became an annual traditional festival of the Khmer people in An Giang .

Spectators gather around the arena, and when excited, they spill out onto the track. When the bulls approach, they quickly dodge while the jockeys (trainers) pull hard on the rope to "resist" the bulls.

Before going into battle, the cow's head is patted by its owner and it is given an "energy drink".

In terms of competition format, the cow owners draw lots to choose the pair of cows that will go first and the pair that will go after. In the calling round (2/3 of the race), any pair of cows that runs off the track or the pair of cows that steps on the harrowing rack of the pair in front will be disqualified.

In the release round, the pair of oxen behind only needs to step on the harrow of the pair in front to win. The jockey (driver) must stand firmly. If he falls or falls off the harrow during the race, he is considered to have lost.

Oxen pair number 01 sprinted in the competition. The winning oxen in the competition were given a rest by their owners before returning to plowing.

The jockey continuously shouted orders for the pair of oxen to run to the finish line.

Chau Kim Chenh, a rider who has won two gold cups, said this profession requires good health, an understanding of the temperament of the bulls, and a strategy when entering the field. "Bull racing is also very dangerous, the rider can easily fall off the plow if he cannot control his speed or collides with his opponent," he said.

The pair of oxen running in front were caught by the pair behind, trampling them, forcing them to jump high to avoid them.

A cow fell to the ground after stepping on its opponent's plow. Many people came to help it stand up.

With the main spirit of fun, the ox drivers often help each other. In case the driver falls, he must lean on the harrow and wait for the ox to stop completely. If he does not stand up immediately, he will be run over by the harrow.

If the bull tramples the opponent's plow first, the person standing on the plow must steer, both avoiding himself and stopping the bull so it doesn't hit the opponent.

The two pairs of oxen sprinted to the finish line while their owners cheered them on.

There were many cases where the cows ran off the track and climbed up onto the stands, causing spectators to run away in fear. These "greetings" received much laughter from the audience.

A jockey's dirty face after completing the race.

The owner of the pair of oxen number 42 - Chau Mane, Tri Ton district, won first prize with a motorbike and 30 million VND in prize money. Immediately after receiving the trophy, the owner's family was congratulated by monks.

In 2016, the bull racing festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism .

Ngoc Tai

Vnexpress.net