The Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, a precious gem of Hai Phong culture, is not merely a vibrant entertainment event but also a majestic symphony of martial spirit and deep gratitude to deities. Held annually on the 9th day of the eighth lunar month in the coastal area of Do Son, this festival has become a unique cultural symbol, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from all directions to admire and experience. Join “Du lịch khắp thế gian” (Travel Around the World) to discover the unique features that create the immense appeal of this centuries-old traditional festival.
Origin and Spiritual Significance of the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival
The Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival is not just a recreational activity; it deeply embodies unique cultural and spiritual values. According to historical records and local legends, the festival originated in ancient times, linked to the worship of the Diem Tuoc deity, the guardian spirit of the sea and bountiful harvests for the people of Do Son.
Legend has it that during the Tran Dynasty, when the Mongol army invaded our country, the people of Do Son organized buffalo fighting to practice their fighting spirit and pray for divine protection for national peace and people’s well-being. Since then, the buffalo fighting festival has gradually become an indispensable part of the spiritual and cultural life of the people of Do Son, expressing the desire to conquer nature, the spirit of solidarity, martial valor, and gratitude to the deities.
The festival also bears the strong imprint of phallic worship, expressing the desire for a prosperous and affluent life. The image of brave buffaloes clashing is seen as a symbol of strength, fertility, and growth. After each festival season, the meat of the fighting buffaloes is shared with the community as a form of divine blessing, praying for good luck and peace for everyone.
Meticulous Preparation for the Buffalo Fighting Festival
For the festival to be successful and solemn, the preparation process is extremely meticulous and elaborate, lasting for months. Right after the Lunar New Year, the “giáp” (festival organizing units) send people everywhere to select fighting buffaloes. The criteria for selecting buffaloes are very strict, requiring selectors to have experience and deep understanding of buffaloes.
Fighting buffaloes must be male, healthy, aged 4-5 years, with a muscular body, thick skin, smooth fur, and curved horns like sickles or semicircles. In particular, the buffalo must have a fierce look, sharp eyes, and a majestic gait, showing the bravery and strength of a “warrior.” After being selected, the buffaloes are brought back for special care and training. The diet is carefully looked after, with fresh grass, clean water, and supplemented with rice bran, corn, and soybeans to enhance health and muscle.
Besides physical care, buffaloes are also trained in basic fighting skills such as attacking, defending, and dodging. The training process requires patience, meticulousness, and understanding of the buffalo’s psychology. The trainer must build a bond with the buffalo, awaken its fighting instinct, and help it maximize its strength.
Exploring the Solemn Rituals of the Festival
The Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival is not only attractive for its dramatic matches but also for its traditional rituals imbued with local cultural identity. The ritual part is usually held one day before the festival part, including many solemn and sacred rites.
The opening is the ritual of offering to the Diem Tuoc deity at the village’s communal house, where the guardian spirit of the festival is worshiped. Elderly villagers, representing the community, perform the ritual with sincerity and gratitude. Offerings usually include sticky rice, chicken, pork, fruits, and especially indispensable pure seawater taken from Do Son beach.
After the deity offering ritual is the water procession, an important rite showing the connection between humans and the sea. The water procession consists of elders, strong young men, and male and female ritual performers in traditional costumes, walking together to the sea to fetch water. Seawater is stored in ceramic jars or large pots, symbolizing the source of life and prosperity. The water procession walks while singing folk songs and proverbs about the sea and the festival, creating a solemn and bustling atmosphere. The seawater, after being brought back, will be used to sprinkle on the buffaloes and the arena, with the desire to bring good luck and strength to the “warriors.”
Next is the “Flag Raising Ceremony,” marking the official start of the festival. A large festival flag is hoisted on the highest flagpole of the stadium, signaling the arrival of the grand festival day. The sound of the festival drum resonates, blending with the cheers of people and tourists, creating a joyful and bustling atmosphere.
Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival in Hai Phong, a unique traditional cultural feature
Immerse Yourself in the Dramatic Atmosphere of the Buffalo Fighting Festival
The festival part of the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival is the highlight, attracting a large number of tourists. The buffalo fighting matches are extremely dramatic, exciting, and fiercely competitive. The fighting ring is designed in a circular shape, with a deep pit in the middle to prevent buffaloes from falling during combat. Surrounding the ring are large stands, capable of holding thousands of people.
When the opening drum sounds, two brave buffaloes from opposite sides of the ring rush towards each other at lightning speed. The sound of buffalo horns clashing “clank,” the cheers of the crowd echo throughout the region. The buffaloes show their strength, agility, and fighting spirit through each attack, grapple, and dodge.
The match takes place fiercely, sometimes lasting for hours. The audience breathlessly follows every development in the ring, constantly cheering, creating an extremely vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere. Beautiful clashes, dangerous moves, and unexpected situations keep viewers glued to the screen.
At the end of each match, the winning buffalo is honored and receives a worthy reward. However, what is special is that regardless of winning or losing, all buffaloes participating in the festival are slaughtered to offer to the gods. Fighting buffalo meat is considered a divine blessing, bringing luck and health to the people.
Brave fighting buffalo at the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival
Enjoy Unique Cuisine with Festival Flavors
Coming to the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, visitors not only immerse themselves in the vibrant festival atmosphere but also have the opportunity to enjoy local specialties with unique regional flavors. In particular, fighting buffalo meat is a must-try dish during this festival.
Fighting buffalo meat is processed into many attractive dishes such as grilled buffalo meat, stir-fried buffalo, buffalo salad, buffalo hotpot… Each dish has its own flavor, but all share the common feature of a rich, delicious, and distinctive taste of fighting buffalo meat. Local people believe that eating fighting buffalo meat during the festival will bring good luck, health, and fortune.
In addition to buffalo meat, visitors can also enjoy many other Hai Phong specialties such as “bánh đa cua” (crab noodle soup), “nem chua An Thọ” (An Tho fermented pork roll), fresh seafood… These dishes are sold at eateries, restaurants, and food stalls in the festival area, meeting the diverse culinary needs of visitors.
Bustling atmosphere at the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival arena
Travel Tips for the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival
To have a complete and memorable experience at the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival, visitors should note some of the following tips:
- Time: The main festival takes place on the 9th day of the eighth lunar month. However, preparations and side events usually start a week earlier. Visitors can come to Do Son from the beginning of the eighth lunar month to participate in the festival atmosphere and explore other cultural activities.
- Transportation: Do Son is about 20km from the city center of Hai Phong. Visitors can travel by motorbike, private car, or public bus. If traveling from other provinces, visitors can come to Hai Phong by train, coach, or plane, then continue to Do Son.
- Accommodation: Do Son has many hotels, guesthouses, and homestays with diverse prices and amenities. Visitors should book rooms in advance, especially during the festival, to ensure satisfactory accommodation.
- Clothing: Choose comfortable, neat clothing suitable for the weather. If participating in outdoor activities, bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Other notes:
- Entrance ticket prices to the festival may vary from year to year. Visitors should update ticket price information before going.
- The buffalo fighting festival attracts a large number of participants, visitors should pay attention to preserving personal belongings and comply with the regulations of the organizers to ensure safety.
- In addition to the buffalo fighting festival, Do Son has many other attractive tourist destinations such as Do Son beach, Hon Dau Island, Ba De Temple… Visitors can combine visiting these places for an interesting and diverse Do Son trip.
Sounds and vibrant colors at the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival
Conclusion
The Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival is not only a unique cultural event but also the pride of the people of Hai Phong. With profound cultural, historical, and spiritual values, the festival has become an attractive destination, attracting domestic and international tourists. If you have the opportunity to visit Hai Phong in August of the lunar calendar, do not miss the chance to immerse yourself in the vibrant, bustling atmosphere and rich cultural identity of the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival. Surely, this will be an unforgettable experience in your journey to explore Vietnam.
The end of the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival in the joy of locals and tourists