A day at the bullfights a continuing tradition in Aceh<\/p>\n
By Ampelsa<\/p>\n
ACEH (Antara): Two widely separated provinces enjoy games in
\nwhich bulls provide the entertainment. But the game found in Aceh
\nis totally different from the one found on Madura Island.<\/p>\n
The game in Madura, popularly known as karapan sapi, is none
\nother than a bull race, while the entertainment in Aceh, locally
\ncalled peupo leumo, is a bullfight.<\/p>\n
The Acehnese tradition of bullfighting is still carried out in
\nseveral villages in Aceh province. In villages in Aceh Besar
\nregency and Banda Aceh mayoralty, the fights are organized almost
\nevery week in open fields.<\/p>\n
Sabirin, a public figure from Darul Imara sub-district, Aceh
\nBesar regency, said bullfighting is a traditional game for
\nvillage kids, however it is now organized as local community
\nentertainment.<\/p>\n
"Traditional peupo leumo can be seen on a certain day of a
\nweek, while as an entertainment it is usually held after the
\nharvest period is over," he said.<\/p>\n
For Aceh villagers, peupo leumo is meant not only as
\nentertainment, but also as a means to maintain friendship between
\nvillagers.<\/p>\n
At a chosen field, owners herd their bulls to the site of the
\nfight. Prior to the designated fight date, they have to increase
\ntheir bull's weight and make sure their animals are in good
\ncondition. Owners are not supposed to use their bulls to
\ncultivate land, but to maintain their animal's condition by
\nfeeding them good quality grass and bathing them regularly.<\/p>\n
Bathing is usually an activity all of the special fighting
\nbulls participate in together. Owners take the opportunity to
\nexamine their own animal's strength and endurance before the
\nbulls are enrolled for the fight.<\/p>\n
"Pitting one bull against another while bathing them in the
\nriver is a pre-fight elimination round before they jump into the
\nreal fight," Sabirin said.<\/p>\n
Rules<\/p>\n
In a bid to avoid accidents during the fight, such as broken
\nhorns, each bull will only fight an opponent of equal strength so
\nthat the duration of the contest can be extended for as long as
\npossible.<\/p>\n
When the fight starts, the rope encircling each bull's neck
\nmust be watched carefully so it will not wind around their necks
\nand endanger their lives.<\/p>\n
The owners are also bound to the rules. Before the fight, they
\nhave to sign an agreement, stipulating that they are not forced
\nby other people to join the fight and are ready to bear all the
\nconsequences without pressing any charges if something untoward
\nhappens to their animals.<\/p>\n
After a pair of bulls meet the requirement and the agreement
\nis signed, the fight will soon begin. Each owner brings his bull
\nface-to-face with its opponent.<\/p>\n
When the fight starts, spectators start yelling in support of
\ntheir favorite animal. Several bulls -- Jeumpa, Seulanga and
\nGajah Puteh -- are highly favored. But, a few members of the
\naudience are worried their favorite will be defeated.<\/p>\n
If both bulls are equally matched, the spectators will be
\nsatisfied, as the fight will proceed over a decent period of
\ntime. A balanced fight will take 20 minutes, while an unbalanced
\none will only last for a couple of minutes.<\/p>\n
The defeated bull will immediately be withdrawn from the site
\nof the fight, while the winner wins the applause of spectators.<\/p>\n
Sometimes the spectators use the event for gambling and place
\nbids on their favorite animal.<\/p>\n
"Bidding in a bullfight is like additional flavor to make the
\nfight lively," said Maraban, a fan from Ulee Kareung village,
\nAceh Besar regency.<\/p>\n
He said a bull, which has won several fights, will become
\nfamous throughout the region and its price will drastically
\nincrease.<\/p>\n
Favorite<\/p>\n
Bullfighting provides special fun for Acehnese, especially
\nthose living in villages and in the suburbs. It also lures the
\ninterest of local civil servants, who consider it a stress-
\nreliever after work.<\/p>\n
The game can also act as a stimulus for local farmers to work
\nharder.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, it is only famous in villages. The game could
\nbe an important income source for the local administration if it
\nwas developed as a tourist attraction in the province.<\/p>",
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