Gripping mud ball wrestling festival of Bac Giang

May 30, 2018 | 14:59
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A mud ball wrestling festival was recently held in Van village in Viet Yen District of Bac Giang Province, showing the desire of farmers for a year of good weather and bumper harvests.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
The festival traces its origins to about the 4th or 5th century, it has been restored since 2000. The highlight of the festival is a competition to grasp a large mud ball with a diameter of 35cm and weighing approximately 20kg.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
The game is played between sixteen healthy young men divided into 2 teams. They try to keep hold of the ball on muddy ground. Before the competition, the men each drink 3 bowls of wine and eat fruit such as watermelon, mango, dragon fruit, and lychee.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
The game is played between sixteen healthy young men divided into 2 teams. They try to keep hold of the ball on muddy ground. Before the competition, the men each drink 3 bowls of wine and eat fruit such as watermelon, mango, dragon fruit, and lychee.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
Ahead of the competition, each team sends their strongest men to wrestle for the right to kick off the match.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
During the competition, the ball is brought from east to west following the sunrise and sunset. Grabbing hold of the ball represents catching the sun needed for good crops.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
There are 2 holes at either end of the pitch to push the ball into, each hole is 1 meter deep and 0.5 meters wide.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
Following traditions, each time the ball is pushed down the hole, it symbolizes a bumper harvest and happy life for the local people.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
Following traditions, each time the ball is pushed down the hole, it symbolizes a bumper harvest and happy life for the local people.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
When a man grasps the ball, other members of his team do their best to push the ball into the hole.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
Pushing the ball into the hole is not easy on the wet and muddy pitch.
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
Gripping mud ball wrestling festival of Bac Giang
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
Gripping mud ball wrestling festival of Bac Giang
gripping mud ball wrestling festival of bac giang
Gripping mud ball wrestling festival of Bac Giang

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