TEAM 1
Buffalo fighting festival
Do Son buffalo fighting festival, also known as bullfighting, is an ancient custom, dating back to ancient times, a traditional festival of fishermen in the waters of Do Son, Hai Phong.
It takes place on the 9th of the 8th lunar month every year, and it is Vietnam`s 2013 intangible cultural heritage.
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.
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. 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, ....
Like other festivals in Vietnam, Buffalo Fighting Festival consists of two parts: Spiritual rites and entertaining activities. 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