Why is it in the News?

On the weekend of November 25 and 26, 160 pairs of buffaloes and their jockeys will race on specially made slush tracks for Kambala races at City Palace Grounds in Bengaluru.

What is Kambala?

• Kambala is a folk sport rooted in coastal Karnataka, particularly in areas where Tulu speakers are predominant.
• In the past, families and groups used to organize races in the muddy paddy fields after the harvest season.
• For many families, especially those from the Bunt community in coastal regions, Kambala holds significant prestige.
• Throughout the year, they groom pairs of buffaloes with the aim of winning major Kambala events and other races.

Kambala consists of four main categories:

• Negilu (plough): Lighter ploughs are used to tie buffaloes for the race.
• This category is for entry-level buffalo pairs participating in their first Kambala race.
• Hagga (rope): Buffaloes are raced by jockeys with just a rope tied to both buffaloes.
• Adda Halage: Participants stand over a horizontal plank dragged by buffaloes.
• Unlike Hagga and Negilu, where jockeys run behind the animals, buffaloes drag the jockeys in Adda Halage.
• Kane Halage: A wooden plank is tied to buffaloes.
• The plank, on which jockeys stand, has two holes through which water gushes out as it is dragged along the slush tracks.
• The height of water splashes determines the winner of the event.