Nepali village hosts festive bullfighting event

Key Concepts

• गोरु जुदाई (Goru Judai): Traditional bullfighting/bull-racing festival in Nepal.
• ख वर्ग (Kha Vargas) & ग वर्ग (Ga Vargas): Classification of bulls based on their strength/size for competition.
• मेला व्यवस्थापन (Mela Vyavasthapan): Festival management; the lack thereof historically.
• अंग भंग (Ang Bhang): Limb breakage/serious injury.
• मुल्यांकन समिति (Mulyankan Samiti): Evaluation committee responsible for assessing and planning future events.
• पशु क्रूरता (Pashu Krurta): Animal cruelty.

Traditional Bull Racing & Concerns Regarding Animal Welfare

The speaker discusses the traditional practice of गोरु जुदाई (bull racing) in Nepal, highlighting its historical context and current issues. Historically, bull racing was a scattered event, with farmers individually organizing races “यत्र तत्र छरिएर कहिले कता जुदाउने” (here and there, racing whenever and wherever). There was no formal मेला व्यवस्थापन (festival management), leading to races occurring based on farmers’ individual preferences and often resulting in chaotic and dangerous conditions. The bulls are categorized into ख वर्ग (Kha Vargas) and ग वर्ग (Ga Vargas) based on their physical characteristics, presumably strength and size, for competitive purposes.

Risks and Injuries in Traditional Races

The speaker points out the significant risks involved in these unregulated races. Specifically, they mention that during the races, bulls frequently collided and sustained injuries, including अंग भंग (limb breakage) within the 13 अल्कोहता (likely referring to a measurement of distance, possibly ‘alcohol’ being a mis-transcription) racing area. A मुल्यांकन समिति (evaluation committee) is in place, and the speaker emphasizes its role in planning and implementing future events, with a crucial focus on safety.

Shift in Perspective: Animal Welfare & Future Events

The core argument presented is a plea to move away from using animals in these festivals. The speaker clarifies that the intention isn’t to abolish the tradition or celebration (परम्परा मनाउनुस फेस्टिभल सेलिब्रेट गर्नुस नगर्नुस भनेको हैन), but rather to find ways to celebrate without causing harm to animals. The speaker directly states, “प्लिज डु नट युज एनिमल्स के जनावरलाई चाहिँ युज नगर्नुस जनावरलाई चाहिँ प्रयोग नगर्नुस” (Please do not use animals, do not use or exploit animals). This represents a growing awareness of पशु क्रूरता (animal cruelty) associated with the practice.

Call to Action & Safe Alternatives

The speaker concludes with a direct request to those who have won prizes in the races: “हुने केटाहरुले गोरुलाई सुरक्षित स्थानमा लगेर राखेर कृपया पुरस्कार लिन आइदिनु होला” (Those who have won, please take the bulls to a safe place and come to collect your prizes). This suggests a transition towards recognizing the bulls’ well-being even within the context of the competition, and a desire to avoid further harm. It implies a potential shift in how the festival is conducted, prioritizing animal safety over the spectacle of the race.

Synthesis

The speaker’s message centers on the need to reconcile tradition with animal welfare. While acknowledging the cultural significance of गोरु जुदाई, they strongly advocate for finding alternative ways to celebrate that do not involve exploiting or harming animals. The emphasis on the मुल्यांकन समिति’s role and the direct appeal to prize winners indicate a desire for a responsible and compassionate evolution of this traditional festival.