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Chonburi
Buffalo Races
Around
the time of the full moon in the 11th lunar month, usually
the first weekend in October, farmers from all over the province
bring their buffalo to Chonburi City for a festival that dates
back centuries. Costumed dancers move to the music of traditional
Thai songs amid flags and banners. General merriment prevails
as local beauties vie for the title of "Miss Farm Maiden".
Judges also award prizes to the best decorated buffalo.
The races
themselves are preceded by a parade of colorful buffalo-drawn
carts through
the central part of the provincial capital. Then the contestants
are led to the stadium while farmhands run along side and
throw buckets of water on them to keep them cool. The buffalo
are fed a mixture of beer and eggs to enhance their performance,
and the riders probably consume one of the ingredients to
gather their courage for the bareback ride of the rampaging
beasts. Crowds whoop and roar and dive for cover as the numerous
rounds narrow down the field to four finalists. Finally in
the late afternoon the winning buffalo is festooned with garlands
and prizes are awarded to the rider.
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