People in the highlands of Nghe An brave the fog and cold to watch bullfighting.

Photo: Nguyen Dao - Duy Son; Content: Cong Khang January 11, 2021 16:33

(Baonghean.vn) - On cold days, fog covers the mountains, forests and villages, but the Mong people in Muong Long (Ky Son) still organize bull fighting festivals. This is considered a unique cultural feature of the residents living on the high mountain peaks covered in fog all year round.

Ảnh: Duy Sơn
According to tradition, at the beginning of the year every year, the Mong people in Muong Long commune organize a bullfighting festival. This is a unique cultural feature, demonstrating martial spirit and attachment to family pets. This year, the temperature dropped and was cold, with thick fog, but the bullfighting festival still attracted more than 40 "fighters" to participate. Photo: Duy Son

Ảnh: Duy Sơn
More than 40 cows came from all the villages in Muong Long commune, some even from other communes, dozens of kilometers away such as Nam Can, Na Ngoi, Huoi Tu, and were transported by their owners in small trucks. Photo: Duy Son

...
From early morning, Mr. Va Chong Ly in Trung Tam village, Muong Long commune led his cows out to the yard in the thick fog to get used to the field conditions and weather, preparing mentally for the upcoming intense matches. Photo: Ho Chien

Ảnh: Nguyễn Đạo
Va Chong Ly's cow was arranged to fight with Xong Nhia Bi's cow. Both were eager to put their cows into the fight, hoping to win, bringing joy to their families and clans. Outside, hundreds of spectators were watching anxiously. Photo: Nguyen Dao
Ảnh: Nguyễn Đạo
The two bulls fought fiercely from the start, giving each other a piece of their minds, using all their determination to defeat their opponent. Photo: Nguyen Dao
Ảnh: Nguyễn Đạo
Va Chong Ly's cow won against Xong Nhia Bi's cow. But when competing with Mua Ba Denh's cow, Va Chong Ly's cow had to accept defeat and run away. Photo: Nguyen Dao
Ảnh: Nguyễn Đạo
The weather was cold, foggy, the roads were slippery and muddy, but the bull fighting festival in Muong Long still attracted a large number of spectators, including many children. Photo: Nguyen Dao
Ảnh: Nguyễn Đạo
At the bullfighting festival, the Organizing Committee always arranges young, strong and agile men to hold poles and nooses to limit the speed and control the direction of movement when the bulls chase each other, ensuring the safety of the spectators outside. Photo: Nguyen Dao
Ảnh: Nguyễn Đạo
For the Mong people, bullfighting is a happy day for the village. Whoever has the winning bull is not only the honor and pride of the family but also of the whole clan and the whole village. Therefore, when the fight ends, there are often many people coming to congratulate the owner of the winning bull. The losing bull will be taken home by the owner to continue to care for and train, with an appointment to rematch on the next occasion. Photo: Nguyen Dao

Photo: Nguyen Dao - Duy Son; Content: Cong Khang