Going bullocks: Farmers show off in tilling competition

The competition is organised to celebrate the old tradition of oxen farming.

NAUDERO: With five minutes at hand and at least nine rounds of a field to make, 19 farmers put their oxen to the test in a land tilling competition at Allah Warayo Solangi on Sunday.

The contest, held for the eighth consecutive year, is organised to celebrate the old tradition of oxen farming, as rising prices of diesel have forced poor growers to give up mechanised farming and revert to traditional methods, Sher Narejo, the event organiser, said.

Farmers from Larkana, Shikarpur and Khairpur took part in the contest, which tests the technique and the expertise of the peasant as well as the oxen’s strength.

Sher Narejo himself participated with his oxen in the competition. Other participants included Lutuf Narejo, Siddique Soomro, Rasul Bux Lashari, Sachal Narejo and Gulzar Dayo.

With bulls of the Narewal, Sindhi, Dhanee and Begaree breeds, the farmers showed off their animals in front of a large crowd. Hundreds of people from all age groups had come to watch the programme considered a part of the rural culture.



All participants attended the event at their own expense and were of the view that if the government patronises this sport, like it supports cricket and hockey, such events could be organised with much more fanfare.

Each bullock pair was given five minutes to plough land. The first prize went to Lutuf Narejo, whose oxen completed 13 rounds. The second prize was bagged by the oxen owned by Niaz Kalhoro for completing 12 rounds. The third position was taken by the bullocks of Sher Narejo.

The winners were given cash prizes and traditional Sindhi Ajraks and caps.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2013.