“Ngo” Boat Races of the ethnic Khmer people in Soc Trang province
(VOVworld) - Among the many traditional festivals of Khmer ethnic people in Soc Trang province, the Ooc Om Boc Festival and Ngo boat races are the most significant, annually held at the year end. The events are an ideal venue for local people to enjoy a wide range of entertainment activities after a hard-working year. The festival boat race originates from warships used to fight invaders in the past. Lan Anh reports…
“Ngo” boat races, organized in almost every Mekong Delta province, has developed in Soc Trang province over the past years. After several relocations, the racing now takes place in Xang canal in Soc Trang town on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month together with the Ooc om Boc festival. People often flock to Soc Trang city’s center the day prior to the races. Pre-race festivities include a sleepless night of colorful performances including Chay-dam drums, Rom-vong dances and singing on “Ngo” boats.
 |
| After several relocations, the racing now takes place in Xang canal in Soc Trang town on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month together with the Ooc om Boc festival |
The next morning the long anticipated race officially kicks off. Tens of thousands of people, local residents and visitors alike, gather along the the 2-kilometer long Masperos river. A local resident, Trần Xuân Cảnh, told VOV: "Sports has always played an important role in the Khmer people’s life with Ngo boat racing being the most significant sports event. The winning team donates all the money they earn from the prize to the pagoda that owns the boat to upgrade its infrastructure. People join in the games just for fun, not for profit."
Despite his age, 80-year-old Giang Thích, has never missed a Ngo boat race. Thich explained that the race initiated from the local people’s tradition of traveling by dug-out canoes in the Mekong Delta region with many rivers and canals. Khmer people then invented the “Ngo” boats, the shaped in the form of their mascot - the snake god Nagar - which would drive the crocodiles away. Their two ends are tapered slenderly, the head being lower than the rear. Its front ends are painted with peahens, lions, tigers, and elephants which symbolize the power, while the sides are engraved with dragon’s scales. “Ngo” boats are considered precious and are only used in important festivals. Giang Thich told VOV: "I have never missed any boat races. I also encourage my children and grandchildren to take part in this game. Watching the boats gliding on the river with cheerful crowds along the river reminds me of my youth."
A “Ngo” boat is built thanks to effort and donations of the villagers and is well-kept at the village’s pagoda. Preparations for the festival are made one month ahead of the event. Strong young Khmer men are selected and trained rigorously to participate in the racing. Another local person, Tran Van Yen, explains: "Each boat race team is comprised of 50 people with the most experienced person sitting at the front of the boat to direct the team during the race. A man, who is tasked with blowing the horn, will stand in the middle of the boat to help instruct the team."
The men compete in a 1.200 meter long race while women compete in a 800 meter race. Boats race two at a time to the finish line.
Lan Anh