PHÚ THỌ — Tens of thousands of visitors flocked to the Hải Lựu Buffalo Fighting Festival in Hải Lựu Commune, Phú Thọ Province, from March 4 to 5.

This ancient festival embodies the spirit of martial valour, preserves historical traditions and fulfils the cultural and spiritual needs of the community.

According to legend, the festival dates back some 2,200 years to the second century BC, when the Hán Dynasty invaded the Nam Việt kingdom of Triệu Đà, causing the collapse of the Triệu court. Chancellor Lữ Gia retreated to the Hải Lựu mountain area to organise resistance.

After each victory, Lữ Gia staged buffalo fights to motivate his troops. The buffaloes were then slaughtered for victory feasts. After his death, villagers began worshipping Lữ Gia as a guardian deity.

Every year on the 16th and 17th of the first lunar month, the people of Hải Lựu hold the buffalo fighting festival to commemorate Chancellor Lữ Gia’s contributions and to pray for a new year of good health, successful harvests and prosperous trade.

This year’s festival featured 20 buffaloes representing the commune’s villages. The fighting buffaloes, known as 'Ông Cầu', are purchased by villagers from neighbouring provinces and then entrusted to a representative family for care and training.

The owner of the winning buffalo performs a traditional sacrificial ceremony to thank the village deity. — VNS