Ox racing festival in An Giang attracts huge crowd

October 08, 2018 - 19:00

Thousands of people attended the annual Bảy Núi (Seven Mountains) Ox Racing Festival held on October 8 at Tịnh Biên District in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang.

Sixty-four pairs of oxen from An Giang Province and neighbouring provinces compete at the annual Bảy Núi (Seven Mountains) Ox Racing Festival, held at Tịnh Biên District in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang on October 8. — Photo by Tằng A Pẩu
Viet Nam News

AN GIANG — Thousands of people attended the annual Bảy Núi (Seven Mountains) Ox Racing Festival held on October 8 at Tịnh Biên District in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang.

This year, 64 pairs of oxen from An Giang and neighbouring provinces competed in the event.

The pair of oxen owned by farmer Nguyễn Thành Tài from Châu Lăng Commune of Tri Tôn District won first prize, while the runner-up was the pair of oxen owned by farmer Nguyễn Văn Cước from Núi Voi Commune in Tịnh Biên District.

The festival is part of the Sene Dolta, one of the most important annual festivals of the Khmer community in the southwest region, along with Chol Chnam Thmay (New Year) and Ooc Oom Bok, a festival honouring the moon for a good harvest.

The oxen racing festival commemorates the merits of the Khmer’s ancestors and wishes for happiness and peace for their souls.

The event is held from the 30th day of the eighth lunar month until the second day of the ninth lunar month each year, falling on October 8-10 this year.

During the event, the Khmer people pay tribute to their ancestors and take part in activities with traditional songs and dances after a year of hard work. — VNS

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