Buffalo fighting is a unique and traditional festival of people in Do Son District, Haiphong City. This festival is not only associated with Water Goddess worshiping and sacrificing custom but also expressed bravery, chivalry, and risk-taking spirit of people in the coastal city of Haiphong.
Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival
The festival derives from the belief of Do Son’s locals that buffalo fighting is in favor of their guardian gods and hence a continuity of this activity brings them safe voyages, abundant crops as well as healthy and wealthy people—signs of prosperity and happiness. As a matter of fact, Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival has been long conducted within the region since the 18th century.
The festival is annually and officially operated on the 9th day of the 8th month in Vietnamese Lunar Calendar; however, its preparation takes participants nearly a year to process. From choosing the right buffaloes to buy, raising and training them—all of which require hard work and ongoing effort. For example, selection of fighting buffaloes only must be in great meticulosity as they must meet a wide range of requirements: at least 4 or 5 years old, wide chest, bow-shape horns, toned thighs, and long tail. Also, these buffaloes are kept separately from normal ones, and so on.
Like other festivals in Vietnam, Buffalo Fighting Festival consists of two parts: Spiritual rites and entertaining activities. Since the first day of the 8th Lunar month, at the General Commune House of all villages in Do Son District, the elders carried out a sacrificial ceremony towards Diem Tuoc God with participation of all of the villages which have buffaloes joining in the occasion. After that, there is a ceremony worshipping Water Goddess, in which the holy water is annually changed and given to each village to worship in their own Village Hall. Also, buffalo owners lead their fighting buffaloes towards Village Halls to carry out the Tutelary God Worshipping rite. After this sacred ceremony, each fighting buffalo is officially called “Sir Buffalo”, representing the locals’ spiritual life, hope, and belief.
câu hỏi
1 what is the festival related to
2 what about the local people does the festival show
3 when did the festival start
4 how long does it take local people to get ready for the festival?
5 what are the main parts of festival
=>
1. This festival is associated with Water Goddess worshipping and sacrificing custom.
2. It also expresses bravery and risk-taking spirit of people in the coastal city of Haiphong.
3. The festival is annually and officially operated on the 9th day of the 8th month in Vietnamese Lunar Calendar.
4. Nearly a year.
5. Festival consists of two parts: Spiritual rites and entertaining activities.
1. What is the festival related to ?
-The festival related to the buffalo fighting .
2. What about the local people does the festival show ?
-The buffalo fighting festival shows the courage , chivalry and adventures of the local people .
3. When did the festival start ?
– The festival is annually and officically operated on the 9th day of the 8th month in Vietnamese Lunar Calendar .
4. How long does it take local people to get ready for the festival ?
– Its preparation takes participants nearly a year .
5. What are the main parts of festival ?
-The main part of the festival is to give people a safe ride , a good harvest as well as a healthy and wealthy population – a sign of prosperity and happiness .