LIMBANG: Preparations are all set for the Buffalo Race, the highlight of the Bedudun Festival here tomorrow.
Ahmad Bujang, 63, and Damit Nayan, 67, are among the locals who are actively involved with the final preparation for the big day.
The Buffalo Race is synonymous with the Bedudun Festival and without it, the festival is incomplete.
“On the eve of the race, the participating buffaloes will be accorded all the care they need to ensure they will be able to race the next day,” said Damit.
Among the critical preparations would be to familiarise the animals with the race track and its surrounding areas, he said.
“This is to ensure the buffalo will not suddenly go wild when the actual day comes, especially when they see a huge crowd around them,” he added.
Damit will be entering two buffaloes, Tambol and Ateng, for the race today. Both are three-year-olds.
According to Damit, under normal circumstances, only buffaloes aged below four would be suitable for the race.
Damit, who started rearing buffaloes when he was 50 years old, said he had also been training buffaloes for racing. He now owns 10 buffaloes.
He said the buffaloes, meant for racing, should be trained from young.
