Jalsa (traditional sport)
Jalsa is a cultural sport of bull racing associated with the Dhanni cattle breed in the Potohar region.[1][2]
Rules
Jalsa features a specific form of bull race, where a pair of bulls is harnessed to a panjali (yoke), and a karah (wooden plank) is tied behind them.[3][4] The event involves six individuals: three controlling the bulls and three placing and pressing the karah into soft ground, thus increasing the load the bulls carry.[5][6] The challenge for the bulls is to maintain speed and steadiness under this burden.[7] The winner is determined by the crowd, based on the bull's performance, rather than by an official umpire.[8][9]
Event
The event operates without formal governmental oversight or the presence of police or emergency services.[10] Crowd control is managed by the event organizers, who initially request cooperation from disruptive attendees and may resort to throwing dust as a form of non-violent deterrent if necessary.[11]
Jalsa is a long-standing tradition in Chakwal, continuing to be held despite the influence of modern cultural changes in the region.[12]
References
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/1131662
- ^ https://www.urduvoa.com/a/pakistan-cow-race/4684296.html
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/1131662
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/696840/chakwals-oldest-cultural-fair-defies-modernism
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/1131662
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/696840/chakwals-oldest-cultural-fair-defies-modernism
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/696840/chakwals-oldest-cultural-fair-defies-modernism
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/1131662
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/696840/chakwals-oldest-cultural-fair-defies-modernism
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/696840/chakwals-oldest-cultural-fair-defies-modernism
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/696840/chakwals-oldest-cultural-fair-defies-modernism
- ^ https://www.dawn.com/news/696840/chakwals-oldest-cultural-fair-defies-modernism