The Indonesian Cow Racing Festival of Pacu Jawi
The Indonesian Cow Racing Festival of Pacu Jawi
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The Cow-Racing Festival of Indonesia
Every year in Indonesia, the local farmers of West Sumatra will hold a high octane cow-racing festival.
In a tradition known as Pacu Jawi, hundreds of farmers will dual-wield their oxes to mark the end of the rice harvest.
Spectators will come from all over to watch these daredevil farmers as they race their cows through the muddy fields.
These bulls are incredibly strong, and the farmer jockeys will need the help of over 6 people to hold them back before the race starts.
Where Is Pacu Jawi Held?
Pacu Jawi, the Indonesian Cow Racing festival, is held annually in local villages around in the Minangkabau highlands of West Sumatra.
You will need to search a little for the updated times and locations, however it was traditionally held to mark the end of the rice harvest.
These days however, it is held more often as it has become a popular attraction for foreign tourists.
There are rotating locations in the Tanah Datar Regency including: Sungai Tarab, Rambatan, Limo kaum, and Pariangan.
You can see where Tanah Datar Regency is on a map here:
When Is Pacu Jawi Held?
Pacu Jawi, the Indonesian Cow Racing festival, was traditionally held to mark the end of the rice harvest.
It would be held twice a year in rotating villages in Western Sumatra.
These days however, it is held more and more often as it has become a popular attraction for foreign tourists.
This means that is likely to be held each weekend – you will just need to ask locally, when you arrive, where the festival is taking place that weekend.
The biggest celebrations will still be held during the end of the rice harvest, which is usually in April-May.
How Do You ‘Win’ Pacu Jawi?
Pacu Jawi is meant as a metaphor, representing how a leader and his people can all walk down the same path. That is why there are always two bulls in the race.
Interestingly, the winner of Pacu Jawi is not determined by the fastest racer, but rather by the farmer who can go in the straightest line.
In Pacu Jawi, the jockeys do not face off against one another. They compete against themselves. This is done to keep spectators from betting on the jockeys.
You can find more Indonesia fun facts on The Life of Jord’s YouTube & TikTok accounts.
All of our fun facts are from the Around the World in 800 Facts series, by Jordan Simons.
If you have a country fact to contribute, please drop it in the comments below.
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