The Buffalo Race at Chonburi (Thailand Local Custom)
Beautifully Dressed Buffalo
Several years ago, life in rural Thailand was not easy. There were no convenient roads for cars, and the common mode of transport were carts used by traders. When they arrived in towns, the popular rest area was a community close to the market, where selling and buying took place.
On the day before the full moon of the 1 1 th Lunar month, people would stop working and begin preparing for the celebrations. Cows and buffaloes were also given the day-off in appreciation of their hard work over the months. It was a time to rest! Villagers would dress up their buffaloes in colorful clothes and eye-catching accessories.
Men would exchange their normal dark farmer's clothes for the colorful "Yee Kae" costumes; put diamond bands on their foreheads and powder their faces. Gradually the ritual became the buffalo fancy dress competition. There were 2 categories: beautiful buffaloes and funny buffaloes.
With the coming of the end of Lent, a buffalo racing event was held in Chonburi Province. Whether or not they have any business there, people flocked to Ta Kwian market. The temple was the racing track venue and quickly became crowded with buffaloes and spectators.
Buffaloes from far and wide
On the day of the buffalo race, people from all over the country arrived. Strangers engaged in animated talk, (exchanged ideas and became friends over wine and spirits. No one knew whether it was the unfamiliar smells or the wine They were given, but the buffalo run was born.
Alcohol had never passed the buffaloes' lips before, as it was dangerous to have drunken buffaloes on the job. But on the special end of Lent, the farmers who had given up alcohol for the three-month Lent, joyfully celebrated their holiday. Their joy was then shared with their buffaloes, which enjoyed little sips.
The postures of the buffalo riders were most unusual and never seen before. The riders urged on the buffaloes to run faster. Some riders sat on the rumps of their buffaloes, brandishing a rope in one hand and a stick on the other: this was the standard posture. Some stood up on the buffaloes backs; some swung in the air when the buffaloes ran. These risky postures could twist their necks or at least break their arms and legs. However, the audience were delighted and would gave them a big hand in appreciation. The racing was organised free of charge.
Beautifully Dressed Buffalo
Several years ago, life in rural Thailand was not easy. There were no convenient roads for cars, and the common mode of transport were carts used by traders. When they arrived in towns, the popular rest area was a community close to the market, where selling and buying took place.
On the day before the full moon of the 1 1 th Lunar month, people would stop working and begin preparing for the celebrations. Cows and buffaloes were also given the day-off in appreciation of their hard work over the months. It was a time to rest! Villagers would dress up their buffaloes in colorful clothes and eye-catching accessories.
Men would exchange their normal dark farmer's clothes for the colorful "Yee Kae" costumes; put diamond bands on their foreheads and powder their faces. Gradually the ritual became the buffalo fancy dress competition. There were 2 categories: beautiful buffaloes and funny buffaloes.
With the coming of the end of Lent, a buffalo racing event was held in Chonburi Province. Whether or not they have any business there, people flocked to Ta Kwian market. The temple was the racing track venue and quickly became crowded with buffaloes and spectators.
Buffaloes from far and wide
On the day of the buffalo race, people from all over the country arrived. Strangers engaged in animated talk, (exchanged ideas and became friends over wine and spirits. No one knew whether it was the unfamiliar smells or the wine They were given, but the buffalo run was born.
Alcohol had never passed the buffaloes' lips before, as it was dangerous to have drunken buffaloes on the job. But on the special end of Lent, the farmers who had given up alcohol for the three-month Lent, joyfully celebrated their holiday. Their joy was then shared with their buffaloes, which enjoyed little sips.
The postures of the buffalo riders were most unusual and never seen before. The riders urged on the buffaloes to run faster. Some riders sat on the rumps of their buffaloes, brandishing a rope in one hand and a stick on the other: this was the standard posture. Some stood up on the buffaloes backs; some swung in the air when the buffaloes ran. These risky postures could twist their necks or at least break their arms and legs. However, the audience were delighted and would gave them a big hand in appreciation. The racing was organised free of charge.
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