Go (mound) Thi Thung traditional horse race is a unique festival, whichis held annually in An Xuan commune, Tuy An district, Phu Yen province,on the ninth day of the first lunar month and attracts thousands ofpeople from across the country. Report by Nhan Dan (People) newspaperonline.
According to elderly residents of Thanh Xuan village, thehorse race was around before the war against the French. However,during the wars against the French and American invaders, the race wasstopped.
After the liberation of the country in 1975, the race wasrestored in An Xuan commune on the ninth day of the first lunar month.Nearly 10 years later, the Go Thi Thung traditional horse race wasofficially recognised as a traditional festival of Phu Yen province.
Horseman Vo Ngoc, who has won the championship title many times inThanh Xuan village, said that the horse is as important to the people ofAn Xuan commune as the elephant is to Tay Nguyen ( Central Highlands).
Horses in An Xuan commune play an important role in the dailylife of the people with the animal considered as a member of each localfamily. An Xuan commune has currently 25 horses. The commune has beenprovided with two buck-horses to develop their herd.
Ngoc firstparticipated in 1982 and won first prize this year but will not enterthe next competition as now 60 years of age, he has decided to share hisknowledge with the young horsemen.
The traditional approach ofriding without a saddle makes the race more interesting with spectacularperformances. Essentially, the man who has the fastest horse is thewinner.
This race is designed for “barefoot cavaliers”, riders who have been friends with their horses since they were born.
According to Le Cao Bang, head of the Cultural and Information Officeof the Tuy An district People's Committee, visitors to the festivalwill have a chance to join the exciting atmosphere with a series ofcultural activities such as folk games, sports activities and artperformances.
The district is working out a plan to maintain and developthe race with hopes for the participation of other localities in theregion.-VNA
According to elderly residents of Thanh Xuan village, thehorse race was around before the war against the French. However,during the wars against the French and American invaders, the race wasstopped.
After the liberation of the country in 1975, the race wasrestored in An Xuan commune on the ninth day of the first lunar month.Nearly 10 years later, the Go Thi Thung traditional horse race wasofficially recognised as a traditional festival of Phu Yen province.
Horseman Vo Ngoc, who has won the championship title many times inThanh Xuan village, said that the horse is as important to the people ofAn Xuan commune as the elephant is to Tay Nguyen ( Central Highlands).
Horses in An Xuan commune play an important role in the dailylife of the people with the animal considered as a member of each localfamily. An Xuan commune has currently 25 horses. The commune has beenprovided with two buck-horses to develop their herd.
Ngoc firstparticipated in 1982 and won first prize this year but will not enterthe next competition as now 60 years of age, he has decided to share hisknowledge with the young horsemen.
The traditional approach ofriding without a saddle makes the race more interesting with spectacularperformances. Essentially, the man who has the fastest horse is thewinner.
This race is designed for “barefoot cavaliers”, riders who have been friends with their horses since they were born.
According to Le Cao Bang, head of the Cultural and Information Officeof the Tuy An district People's Committee, visitors to the festivalwill have a chance to join the exciting atmosphere with a series ofcultural activities such as folk games, sports activities and artperformances.
The district is working out a plan to maintain and developthe race with hopes for the participation of other localities in theregion.-VNA
