KAMBALA FESTIVAL
1. Context
Kambala, a popular buffalo racing contest of the coastal Karnataka region, is set to make a splash in Bengaluru this weekend. The folk sport will be held in the heart of the city at Palace Grounds on November 25 and 26 2023
2. Kambala festival
The Kambala festival is an annual traditional buffalo race that takes place in the state of Karnataka, India. It's a centuries-old rural sport primarily conducted in the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
Key aspects of the Kambala festival:
- Kambala involves racing pairs of water buffaloes, usually guided by a handler or farmer who runs alongside the animals. The race takes place in slushy, paddy fields, and the buffaloes are driven by a whip-wielding participant
- Historically, Kambala was a sport conducted to appease the gods for a good harvest and to entertain rural communities during the farming off-season. It's deeply rooted in local tradition and cultural practices
- The festival is accompanied by a vibrant atmosphere filled with music, local food stalls, and a sense of community celebration. Villagers gather to witness and cheer on the participating buffaloes and their handlers
3. Setup and Race of Kambala
- The Kambala race takes place on dual muddy tracks filled with water, where pairs of buffaloes, meticulously cared for by their owners and farmers, race while harnessed together with ploughs and ropes.
- These prized buffaloes, well-nourished and tended to, can cover a 140-meter track in under 12 seconds. To ensure the welfare of these animals, the Indian Supreme Court has established guidelines prohibiting any mistreatment or harm.
- Guided by a jockey, referred to as the Kambala runner, this daring individual maneuvers alongside the massive buffaloes on a wooden plank known as "halage," attached to the contraption holding the two animals, called "Negilu."
- Controlling them with a whip or ropes, the runner not only commands the race but also engages spectators by splashing water as high as possible. Like a racing crew at an automotive event, the Kambala venue accommodates numerous buffaloes and their caretakers.
- During the day-long race, two teams of buffaloes, accompanied by their jockeys, dash toward the finish line on the parallel tracks, vying for a spot in subsequent rounds. Prizes are awarded not only for crossing the finish line first but also for splashing water to reach a set target (referred to as "kolu").
- Kambala events kick off after the paddy harvest, typically in October, continuing across Tulu Nadu (the Tulu-speaking regions in South Canara districts) from November to March.
4. Jallikattu
Similar festival like Kambala in Sothern India is Jallikattu festival
- Jallikattu is a traditional bull-taming sport practiced in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, particularly during the Pongal festival, a harvest festival celebrated in January. It's a centuries-old tradition deeply ingrained in Tamil culture and has garnered both support for its cultural significance and criticism for its treatment of animals
- In Jallikattu, a ferocious bull is released into a crowd of participants. The objective for the participants is to grab hold of the bull's hump and try to control it while it runs through a designated area. The participants attempt to tame the bull without causing harm to the animal.
- allikattu is considered a symbol of valor, courage, and Tamil pride. It's seen as an age-old tradition that showcases the bravery of the participants and the robustness of the bulls, and it holds a significant place in Tamil Nadu's cultural heritage
5. Way forward
The Kambala festival remains a significant cultural event in rural Karnataka, reflecting the traditions, heritage, and community spirit of the region while adapting to contemporary sensitivities regarding animal welfare
Source: Indianexpress
