Bali is a destination that locals and tourists would know well about because of the countless documentaries, travel shows and travel blogs that continue to cover it as well as the endless stream of travellers who keep going there. But how many of you know about the races that happen in Bali? Not car races or cycle parades but an age-old tradition of buffalo races that have been continuing for decades now.
Located in West Bali, Negara is sparsely populated. Some portions of the fertile land are used for paddy cultivation and the remaining covered by dense forest belonging to the West Bali National Park. The air here is clean, roads free of traffic and all around you an atmosphere of natural beauty and serenity that is a stark difference from the rest of Bali. An atmosphere which is only broken when the loud cheering and yelling occurs encouraging the buffalo racers.
Celebrating the harvest buffalo carts speed away in a race course that spans from 2 to 4 kilometres. Two water buffalos are attached to colourfully decorated carts; these bulls are not generally used for ploughing the fields but bred for racing in particular. With their painted horns, garlands and jangling bells that ring like encouraging chimes when the race away, the spectacle is a combination of old-world charm and excitement.
First bulls and riders parade for the benefit of the audience; this is also somewhat the opening ceremony of the event. Then the race begins, the winner isn’t necessarily one who crosses the post first but one with the most number of points. Points are awarded for various aspects including style, speed and skill in handling the cart as well as elegance.
Though this event is slowly being promoted as a tourist event there is still no hotel or Bali spa resort in the place that offers suitable accommodation. Most visitors in fact stay in any Bali luxury spa resort located in the surrounding vicinity. COMO Shambhala Estate Bali is among them.
The event happens between July and October and has various stages, the largest being the Governor’s cup. Though it is thrilling to watch this, some feel that this tradition past down from generation to generation is animal cruelty. The event however is surely not for the faint hearted.
Umanga Kahandawaarachchi is a passionate travel writer who writes under the pen name, Maggie Tulliver. Her field of writing covers a wide array of content and articles related to travel and hospitality industry.