Revival of Balinese water buffalo race

Wed, January 4, 2017 / 09:27 am

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Two boys carry tengala and lampit, tools used in makepung lampit, a buffalo race on a wet paddy field in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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Participants arrive early in the morning with their buffaloes at the competition venue in Kaliakah village. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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Participants dress up their buffalo as they prepare for the makepung lampit-water buffalo race in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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A Balinese woman prays before the race. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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A jockey spurs buffaloes adorned with replicas of Balinese headdress during a race in Kaliakah village in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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Two buffaloes wearing decorative socks on their horns race on a wet paddy field in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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A racer spurs his buffaloes during a makepung lampit buffalo race in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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A participant holds his buffaloes before a race in Kaliakah village in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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Three pairs of buffaloes race through muddy water in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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The winning jockey celebrates his victory after a buffalo race in Kaliakah village in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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A jockey falls in the middle of a race in Kaliakah village in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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A participant runs to control his buffaloes during makepung lampit in Kaliakah village in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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A participant rests during a buffalo race in Kaliakah village in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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Participants reach the finishing line during the makepung lampit buffalo race in Kaliakah village in Jembrana. JP/ Agung Parameswara
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Participants walk around the arena after the buffalo race is over. JP/ Agung Parameswara

Makepung lampit, a water buffalo race in Jembrana, Bali, was popular entertainment in the 1940s but was recently revived after decades of hiatus.

Last month, the Jembrana administration sponsored the race in Kaliakah village in the regency. The race is held on a wet paddy field and serves not only as a race but also to mark plowing time before planting season and to provide a cultural event for locals and tourists to enjoy.

Makepung lampit is different from the makepung race, which is held on a dry, straight or winding road. Makepung lampit is held on a straight track.

Last month, 20 pair of buffaloes and 20 jockeys raced on a 100-meter track in an attraction that is a tumultuous burst of energy and competitive spirit. [evi]