People enjoyed in Do Son buffalo fight festival 2007
24/09/07 (GMT+7)
More than 30,000 people flocked into a stadium in Do Son town, in the northern city of Hai Phong, to attend the Do Son buffalo fight festival 2007 which was held on September 19th (the 9th day of the eighth lunar month).
16 buffaloes which were carefully selected, participated in the final round. After nearly nine hour long fierce fights, buffalo No 26 from Dong Dinh Hieu in Van Son precinct won the championship.
When the first signal is given, the two buffaloes are moved to within 20m of each other. At the next signal, the two leaders release the ropes that are attached to the noses of the buffaloes. The two buffaloes then rush into each other with well practiced movements. The spectators then shout and urge the fighting along.
At the completion of the fight, the spectacle of "receiving the buffaloes" is very interesting as the leaders must then catch the winning buffalo to grant it its reward.
Whether they win of lose, after the festival, all the buffaloes are killed as an offering to heaven and earth, and for a fruitful crop. People think that eating fighting buffaloes will bring them fortune.
On September 16th, Do Son town inaugurated the historical and cultural relic of Nghe temple to worship the 6 families that have contributed to reclaiming the land in the town. A procession which is a must during a buffalo fighting festival, is also held at the temple.
Following are photos of the festival:
(Source: SGT)
|
