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In rural Pakistan, bull racing draws crowd in cricket-loving nation

In rural Pakistan, bull racing draws crowd in cricket-loving nation

In a rural Pakistanean field where thick wooden frames are pressed together, bushes are yoked together. A man perched on a plank is a man perched behind them, only to have ropes and his pride.

As the animals roar down a track, causing a ton of dust and a real sense of danger, hundreds of spectators scream and cheer.

This is Punjabi bull racing.

The traditional sport contrasts starkly with Pakistan’s city’s floodlit cricket and hockey stadiums, which capture the raw vibrancy of rural life.

Bull fighting is common in Punjab’s Attock district. More than just a pastime, it is here. It is a component of the area’s living heritage.

Crowds converge on the village of Malal each year to see the spectacle, which is a significant source of revenue for the sport. Jockeys rely on instinct and experience to win, crouching low behind the bulls on their wooden planks.

However, chaos never permeates the landscape. Bulls frequently unseat jockeys and send them stumbling through the dust.

“This is not just for entertainment,” he said. Sardar Haseeb, whose family has organized races for generations, described it as “tradition”. We are proud of our animals. For this reason, farmers and landowners raise their bulls year-round. People are willing to pay a bull’s success at a high price. It embodies pride in itself.

Dances and banknote showers are performed during the celebration, which is more typically associated with weddings.

Sizzling pans’ aroma draws crowds, enticing the smell of freshly fried sweets. Roasted chickpeas and other delectables are served at tallholders. Local vendors profit from the celebration of culture because of the bustling scene’s income.

More than 100 bulls competed at the most recent Haseeb event, which attracted participants from all over Pakistan.

Farmer Muhammad Ramzan was one of the competitors.

Source: Aljazeera

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