Pacu Jawi, West Sumatera

Cow before Pacu Jawi (cow race)

In the blazing sun conditions I arrived at location for Pacu Jawi. Strains of typical Minang rhythm sounds of traditional musical instruments. Dozens .. perhaps hundreds of cows lined up on the former rice area harvested was over. This location is not a cattle market. The cow are collected not for sold, not at all! But to follow "Pacu Jawi Festival" or called cow race. Because of pacu jawi often discussed, I became curious and immediately intend to see it when I saw information that pacu jawi event is being held at the regency Sungai Tarab, West Sumatera - Indonesia.

Pacu Jawi. Similar with "karapan Sapi" in Madura, East Java.  The difference is between the runway arena muddy rice fields, while the karapan sapi conducted on a dry track. Hundreds of years ago pacu jawi just the usual activities of the farmer to fill the spare time after harvest. Now that habit has become a national tourism calendar which is held every year in Tanah Datar regency, West Sumatra. Each year during the month, held in rotation in four districts in the Tanah Datar, the District Pariangan, District of Rambatan, District of Lima Kaum, and the District Sungai Tarab.
 

Pacu Jawi (cow race)

Ahead of the race I was curious, walked over to the arena. Cow  that had a turn to race led by owner / jockey to runway while carrying a plow made ​​of bamboo, to stand. Although called a race, a pair of his own beef just ran unopposed, not a race for the finish line with an opponent as befits a race. Average cow looks nervous and wanted to get away so forced into the muddy arena. Some people were forced to hold the cows. Each of the two (2) cow for each race start was fitted with a plow and attempted to stand next to each other.

The match begins  fater being in the right position. A jockey prepares to drive a pair of these cows and a separate step on the plow. Nevertheless jockey must try to control the cow to keep running side by side and to maintain balance by holding two cows' tails. Here, uniquely, how to make cows run! Not prodded like a horse reigns to run but must be restrained cows's . The stronger cows held by the jockey, the sooner the cow ran.

Several times when the race looks cattle ran wild without any direction, regardless of the hand jockey. Turning away from the cow or her partner, plunging into the fields next lower. ... Jockeys tumbled. most of the audience laugh when it happens. After all, the incident does not necessarily make jockey shy, but instead laufhed, he woke up from the fall. In fact, the assessment of the pacu jawi not only the speed of cow. The winner is the pair of cow can run the straight without the slightest turn to the finish line.

See also exciting cow race, although not a few spectators were exposed to splashes of mud. I moved so as not to lose the moment take is a great picture. Joined by some group of professional photographers which stands in a strategic position. After quite happy I decided to go home before the show ends. To the parking lot, I met with the committee. I asked him" what is the Prize for winner"
The participant of cow race were not rewarded'. the participants merely do it just for hobby?' 

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