Buffalo Racing in India

Buffalo Racing in India

1997, Mangalore, India — Traditionally, peasants let their buffalo run the road home from the fields at the end of a day’s work, thus yeilding to today’s buffalo runs. Today, the runs attract crowds of thousands between the months of October and March, particularly in the region of Dakshina Kannanda. At this time of year the well-irrigated rice fields are capable of hosting a pair of well-trained and well-cared for buffalo, such as pure breds. A contest buffalo can cost as much as 300,000 rupies, sometimes more. — Image by © Thierry Rousseau/Sygma/Corbis