Bullfight
¡¡¡¡Not like that in Spain that it is a fight between a man and a bull,
Bullfight in the rural areas of Guiyang is a distinctive amusement activity
in the slack season. Bullfight is usually held after the rice shoots transplanting
and before the harvest between the 6th lunar month and the
8th lunar month. The Gaopo and Mengguan two townships are the
places where the Bullfight is held. The bull of the water-buffalo that
is going to join in the fight is called ¡°Balang¡± by the local people.
To congraturate beforehand the victory of a Balang, the relatives and
friends of the local or other villages will invite the owner of Balang
to drink ¡°Balang wine¡± to boost the courage.
¡¡¡¡¡°Caichang¡± which takes place on the day of bullfight is an exciting
prelude. With the report of the iron crackers, the Balang, with red ribbons
tied to the head, and with sheets upon sheets on its back presented by
relatives and friends, should circle the court followed by the audiences.
People in many other villages also bring their bulls to join the ceremony,
so the atmosphere is lively and the scene is most magnificent with the
spirited sound of Suona horns, the deafening noises of crackers, cheers
and laughter. Then a venerable elder of the village addresses the audience
and takes the gifts off the bull¡¯s back and the ceremony ¡°Caichang¡± concludes.
¡¡¡¡Before the fight formally begins, an agreement should be settled by
both sides then the buffalos are escorted by the crowd on the spot and
directed to rush upon its rival, fighting horn to horn. In case the two
bulls are not matched in strength, soon the weak one will fall down on
the ground and run away. If they are well matched, they will keep fighting
until both panting and foaming at the mouth. Then a veteran will come
to separate the two buffalos with something like ropes or bamboo poles
to avoid casualties.
¡¡¡¡Usually a flatland in the center with gentle slops around would be chosen
for the Bullfight ground, so that people can watch easily.
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