The bull race spectators INDONESIA ACTION-PACKED images taken on Saturday 14th, October show bulls fiercely racing across a muddy path with a jockey o
The bull race spectators INDONESIA ACTION-PACKED images taken on Saturday 14th, October show bulls fiercely racing across a muddy path with a jockey on top during the ?pacu jawi? or ?bull race? event in Indonesia. This is a traditional sports competition in Tanah Datar, Indonesia, where a pair of bulls run on a muddy rice field track about 200-820 feet long. A jockey stands behind them on a wooden plough that is connected to the bulls by a rope. Even though the event is called "a race", the bulls are only released in pairs with no opponents competing. The origins of this race can be traced back to the pre-independence era of Indonesia, and is held as a post-harvest celebration for the villagers. For centuries, this event was held twice a year, coinciding with the harvest season. However, the shortening of the harvest cycle increased the frequency of these races. The bulls used in the race are usually two to three years of age, weighing from 330 to 660 lbs. They are mostly cattle reared for the event and go through extensive medical check-ups by a veterinarian before entering the race. This event is also used by cattle owners to increase the value of their livestock, as the winning bulls can be sold at a higher price. This fascinating event was captured by photographer Yan Hidayat using his Nikon camera and a 300mm lens from a safe distance. ?The Pacu Jawi tradition has a unique philosophy, namely that leaders and ordinary people can walk together,? he said. ?This is based on Pacu Jawi activities, where two bulls are used. The winner of this competition is not the jockey who reaches the finish line first but the one who runs along the set path and does not move away from it. ?I loved capturing these images; the excitement of this event was so infectious that it dispelled any tiredness that I was
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Photo credit: © Media Drum World / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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Keywords: animal, bull, bulls, cattle, cows, harvest, indonesia, photography, race, season
