BUll FIGHT At Taruka, Nuwakot, Nepal

NUWAKOT, NEPAL: Red clay dirt billows at Taruka village fairground when the two bulls, ready to clash. The circular ground is fenced off with a rope, behind this demarcation are thousands of curious spectators, some squatting on a sloped knoll that hem the arena, others standing, and a few perched on bare tree branches. Cheers and hoots from the crowd muffle the voice of commentator coming out from the speaker system; the man on the mic is urging the people not to get too close to the ground.

Thus began the annual bullfighting match held in this Nuwakot village on the day of Maghe Sakranti(About January 15-16). 16 pairs of bull competed in the fight. Bullfighting in Taruka has gained popularity in the recent years; more people from outside the district are attending the event. People from different parts of the country, including Dhading, Rasuwa, Kathmandu, Lamjung and Chitwan, attended this event. The annual festival has also become an excuse for many youths working outside the district and the country to return home. A majority of the young population go to India and Gulf countries for jobs. They come back to celebrate this festival.

Nepali bullfighting is believed to have been introduced in Taruka by Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh, a monarch of the ancient Bajhang Kingdom, more then 200 years ago.