BUFFALO RACING (AN
EXHILARATING SPECTACLE TO HONOUR THE SPIRITS)
Each year, millions of Cambodians visit Buddhist temples
across the country to honor their deceased loved ones during a 15 day period
commonly known as the Festival of the Dead. However, in Vihear Suor Village ,
about 22 miles ( 35 km) northeast of Phnom
Penh, villagers would wrap up the festival with a water buffalo race to
entertain visitors and honour a pledge made centuries ago.
There was a time when many village cattle which provided
rural Cambodians with muscle power to plough their fields, suddenly drop dead
from an unknown disease. The villagers’ prayed to a spirit to help save their
animals from the diseases and promised to show their gratitude by holding a
buffalo race each year on the last day
the “ Phchum Ben “ festival. Since then, the cattle have been safe and
the villagers kept to their pledge.
The race draws hundreds of spectators who come to see riders
and their animals charging down the field; the riders bouncing up and down on
the backs of their buffalo, whose horns are draped colorfully by cloth and
various auspicious ornaments. .
** HISTORY: Buffalo races have grown in popularity over the
year on t. Villagers trained for months in preparation for the event. The
buffaloes raced in pairs and the winners receive monetary award on top of the
glory.
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