FAST OXEN: The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang’s annual Bảy Núi (Seven Mountains) Ox Racing will take place in Tịnh Biên District on September 29 to celebrate Sene Dolta, the Khmer people’s festival honouring the moon for a good harvest. VNA/VNS by Công Mạo

AN GIANG — The annual Bảy Núi (Seven Mountains) Ox Racing, one of the major cultural and sports events of the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang, will be held on September 29.

The race will attract 65 pairs of oxen from the province and Kiên Giang Province.

A performance of ngũ âm (five tones) or Pinpeat, the Khmer traditional musical ensemble, will be offered at the event.

According to Đào Sĩ Tuấn, deputy director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Bảy Núi Ox Racing is the province’s event to celebrate the Sene Dolta, one of the most important annual festivals of the Khmer community in the southwest region, and the 192nd anniversary of the province’s establishment.

Sene Dolta, a festival honouring the moon for a good harvest, is held from August 29 to September 1 of the lunar calendar each year, falling on October 1-3 this year.

During the event, the Khmer people pay tribute to their ancestors, and take part in religious rituals at Khmer pagodas and several cultural activities with traditional songs and dances after a year of hard work.

Among the activities, oxen racing aims to commemorate the merits of Khmer ancestors and wishes for happiness and peace for their souls.

The Bảy Núi Ox Racing was recognised as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2016.

The 2024 race is expected to attract thousands of visitors. It will begin at 7am at the ox racing venue in Vĩnh Trung Commune of Tịnh Biên Town. — VNS