Cow racing is one of the most interesting festival in An Giang. This festival is held annual year from the 9th to the 10th day in Lunar Calender and it is a traditional festival of Khmer people.
Cow Racing Festival has existed for a long time in the Seven Mountains Region of An Giang Province. Taking place on Sene Dolta day of Khmer people in Mekong Delta (from the 9th to the 10th day in Lunar Calendar), Cow Racing Festival is for expressing gratitude toward ancestors.
To prepare for Cow Racing Festival, Khmer people choose a flat and wet rice-field with 200 meter long and 100 meter wide. To become a perfect area for cow racing, his rice-field must be muddy, surrounded by fence and safe stop. Racing course is about 120 meters long along the fence with the starting point also the ending point marked by a blue flag and a red flag.
Before the race, people choose pairs of cows to compete with each other by drawing. According to the rule, pair of cows running out of the racing course must get out of the competition. During the race, pair of cows trampling on the rake of the front pair will be the winner. Interestingly, the driver must stand steadily on the rake because falling out of the rake will be considered loser.
The unique and interesting point of cow racing is two cows are tied by a special rake. After the signal whistle of referee, the driver will hit into the cows’ asses with a tow. However, this driver must be very skillful in hitting two cows with the same energy to make them run with the same speed.
On the festive day, locals gather around the arena since the early. From the start to the end of the race, pairs of cows are always encouraged and urged by the inspiring and exciting atmosphere of simmering cheers and applause.
Coming to Cow Racing Festival, tourists will experience unique cultural festival of a characterized village inMekong Delta. You will live in frenetic atmosphere, witness a oner race that you have never known before and get unforgettable memories about a new culture.
Source: vietnamtourism.org.vn
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