VIETNAM’S annual water buffalo fighting festival resumed yesterday despite calls for it to be ended.
The tournament was halted temporarily three months ago after a buffalo killed its owner on the fighting field. It was the first human fatality, although buffaloes have died in fights before.
More safety measures, including re-enforced fences and tests of buffaloes for stimulants, have been put in place since then.
Around 20,000 people gathered in the resort town of Do Son in Hai Phong to watch the finals, in which 16 buffaloes were pitted against each other.
“I’m really happy and proud,” said Luu Dinh Toi, whose buffalo was the winner.
Toi’s buffaloes have participated in many festivals, but this was the first time one was the winner.
“I was the one who cut grass to feed my buffalo and stayed with him overnight over the past year,” he said. “Today, my buffalo rewarded me for my care.”
In accordance with tradition, all losing buffaloes were slaughtered right after the end of the tournament.
The winning buffalo will be killed the next day as a tribute to God.
“I’m very sad that my buffalo will be slaughtered for God tomorrow,” Toi said.
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