More than a dozen ethnic groups in South China hold oxen-worship and/or bullfighting festivals. The former highlights farmers' care and attention to cattle; the latter, an appreciation for the animals' tenaciousness and bravery.
The eighth day of the fourth lunar month is a big day for cattle, as people of manyethnic groups celebrate cattle-related festivals. On that day, the She people, in eastern Fujian Province, celebrate the Oxen Rest Festival. During the event, some households soak loathes or eggs in wine, and then put the food in bamboo tubes to feed their oxen.
The Bouyei people, in Guizhou Province, celebrate the Ox King Festival. They give the animals a beverage, made from kuding (evergreen tree with oval leaves, pink pollen and oval fruit, whose slightly bitter leaves can be used as a substitute for tea) leaves wine and five-colored glutinous rice. Theyalso offer sacrifices to the Ox King, and they choose the strongest ox to participate in the bullfight. The ox that wins the game will be named "Ox King,”and its owner will host a banquet in the evening.
In addition to bathing their oxen, while beating drums, and defending the cowshed, each Zhuang family in the Donglan and Fenshan areas of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region will hold asolemn ceremony-to worship the animal一at noon. After setting an
abundant table of wine and dishes, the family sits around the table. The head of the family enters the house with an old ox.
He leads the animal around the table. All the while, the man sings songs about the origin of, legends and praises involving the animal. Then, he feeds it some glutinous rice and cured meat. Finally, the whole family stands up to caress the ox's back Each family member blesses the animal. The family will not eat until the animal is returned to the barn and given forage.
