Buffalo: Vietnam National Animal

WHAT IS THE NATIONAL ANIMAL OF VIETNAM

The water buffalo is known as the Vietnam national animal, representing bravery, happiness, and prosperity. Buffaloes also play a very important role in Vietnamese agriculture, being a farmer’s most valued possession and often treated like a member of the family.

Not many people know that the buffalo also contributed greatly to the success of Vietnam’s revolution against foreign invaders. They were not only used to carry loads for farmers but also pulled carts of supplies for soldiers during wartime. Buffaloes were an “undercover” means of transport, being able to walk on very poor roads, cross bridges and rivers, and climb steep hills.

Apart from their contribution to Vietnam’s economy and history as the Vietnam national animal, buffalo are also a cultural symbol of the country. They have many qualities Vietnamese people appreciate, such as diligence, a gentle disposition, and loyalty, and can also symbolize powerful warriors.

Buffaloes appear in many stories about Vietnamese heroes, in Dong Ho paintings, at festivals, and in poetry as a symbol of a peaceful and prosperous life.

Today, due to industrialisation in agriculture, the buffalo is no longer such a major asset. The animal’s image is also less likely to appear in cultural and artistic works. The “Buffalo in Vietnamese Life” exhibition was therefore opened recently at the Old Quarter Cultural Center, 50 Dao Duy Tu Street, Hanoi, in an effort to promote the animal among the public.

The exhibition introduces about 70 artifacts, sculptures, and paintings on buffalo in Vietnamese life, recalling memories of peaceful lives in the countryside. It is also expected to help children in cities gain a better understanding of the special beast.

WHY IS BUFFALO CHOSEN AS THE VIETNAM NATIONAL ANIMAL

Buffalo Vietnam is an animal of the Bovidae species, living mostly in Asian countries and has long become a familiar image of farm work and countryside life in Vietnam. Although not officially, for as long as one can remember, the buffalo has been considered as one of the national animals of the beautiful S-shaped country.

Buffalo is not only the Vietnam national animal but also the friendly and indispensable animal of the Vietnamese, mostly in the countryside. Being known as the agricultural nation, farm work takes a specific and important role in the development of Vietnam. Throughout the years, the buffalo has proven itself to be useful and beneficial when it can pull plows in the rice fields, making the farming process become so much easier. When harvesting crops, buffalo is also a trustworthy supporter who helps carry heavy products and loads for its owners. Traveling to the countryside of Vietnam, tourists will immediately see buffaloes almost everywhere, helping farmers with their works or just simply standing on the side to keep them company. In a nation with rice being the main export product like Vietnam, buffalo are undoubtedly the most essential animal.

Some may wonder why hasn’t the buffalo been replaced by modern technologies, given the fact that science is getting more and more developed. The reason is that the Vietnam countryside has various fields with special topographic and different sizes, and machines will only be able to work in large fields and unable to work in small and narrow spaces. Not to mention, buying modern machines takes lots of money which Vietnamese farmers can’t actually afford. Buffalo is much cheaper than machines, can walk on every topographic, and pretty much an effective helper although its working process takes longer than machines.

In Vietnamese culture, the buffalo represents hard-working, one of the most significant virtues of the Vietnamese people. A buffalo can work for a long period of time, no matter how sunny it is, or even under the rain and stormy weather. The same can be described for the Vietnamese, who are willing to work hard no matter the circumstances to earn great results and bring money, happiness and wealth for their families. Laborious, diligent and studious, those have been positive traits of the Vietnamese for such a long time, gaining respect and trust from international countries.

The buffalo has been appearing in many forms of art, such as paintings, poems, works of literature and folk songs. If you had taken a look at some Dong Ho paintings, a significant cultural feature of Vietnam, you would soon realize that the buffalo was included in lots of artworks. In some Vietnamese poems as well as folk verses and proverbs, the buffalo was also mentioned from time to time. It is safe to say that the buffalo has been staying by the Vietnamese side since the beginning of building and developing the S-shaped country.

In the old days, a buffalo was also the symbol of richness, and wealthy families often hung buffalo bones on their doors as a sign of affluentness. Nowadays, there are many festivals being held about buffaloes as well, such as the buffalo-stabbing festival, which aims to pray for rich crops and enormous wealth, and the buffalo-fighting festival, which shows the incredible strength of this seemingly kind animal. During the development of Vietnam, the buffalo has become such a familiar image in daily life, arts and spiritual culture.

Sometimes, the buffalo made itself appear in Vietnamese myths and history as well. The ancient believed that the West Lake, which is a quite famous tourism attraction in Hanoi, was formed when a godly, golden buffalo stormed its feet to the ground. During wars when the Vietnamese had to fight against invaders, the buffalo played an important role, contributing to the victory of the S-shaped country by carrying and transporting supplies (food, weapons, medicines,etc.) for the soldiers.

In conclusion, the buffalo has, and still be, an unreplaceable animal in many aspects of Vietnam, from economic, culture to history and spiritual beliefs. That is why many have considered it as the national animal of the S-shaped country, a significant feature of Vietnamese image and culture.

WHAT IS THE POSITION AND MEANING OF BUFFALO IN VIETNAMESE CULTURE

Being the Vietnam national animal, buffalo is regarded as a meek, hard-working animal, related to village life, and its image symbolizes the rice civilization. The buffalo is also one of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals, it stands in the second position following the mouse.

The buffalo, related to village life, has become the Vietnam national animal and the symbol of rice civilization with the image “the buffalo goes first, the plow follows”. With its gentle, hard-working, sociable nature, the buffalo has become popular, close and familiar with everyone, from old to young in the countryside. The image of the buffalo has also been used in poems, appeared in idioms, proverbs, and folk songs for children.

Humans and buffalo have very strong and close bonds because humans and buffaloes have the same characteristics. The buffalo is meek, hard-working; and he also has to work hard all day like peasants. The buffalo is honest, simple-minded, and usually disadvantaged. The buffalo is also strong, firm, good at fighting and he is not easily bullied.

Maybe only in the long lived rice civilization like our country, there are customs, festivals such as buffalo fighting, buffalo contest, buffalo stabbing, and buffalo thanksgiving.

In the memories of many people, there is still an image of a buffalo herding boy flutes in the famous traditional Dong Ho painting, a buffalo in poems of many well-known figures such as Nguyen Trai, Nguyen Khuyen, Ho Chi Minh.

In the Eastern culture, especially in Vietnam, the buffalo symbolizes meekness, industriousness, hard work, honesty. Moreover, this Vietnam national animal also symbolizes intelligence. The buffalo is also an image in a traditional motif of decoration or wishing for luck. Buffalo has a spiritual meaning connecting with gods, expressing human desires. The buffalo also carries a symbol of hope for prosperity, wealth, and a desire for a peaceful life. In the economy, the buffalo brings abundant resources, economic development, facilitation and luck to do business in economic fields.

WHAT IS THE BUFFALO’S ROLES AS THE VIETNAM NATIONAL ANIMAL

Farmers use buffaloes for the purpose of plowing including plowing, pulling carts, pulling honey, pulling wood for reproduction, raising for meat, raising as sacrifices (buffalo stabbing ceremony), as competition animals (buffalo fighting). 

Along with wet rice, this Vietnam national animal is also associated with the wet rice civilization of Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Buffalo became the mascot of the 22nd SEA Games in 2003, the image of the golden buffalo was once a symbol of Vietnamese sports. The Golden Buffalo was chosen as the mascot of the 22nd Sea Games held in Vietnam in 2003. The funny symbol of the 22nd SEA Games is named the Golden Buffalo, with its gentle, sociable and hardworking nature, the image of the buffalo being close and intimate with the people in the wet rice civilization of Vietnam and other countries. Southeast Asia. The Golden Buffalo (also known as the Taurus) associated with the West Lake legend in Hanoi, the Golden Buffalo symbolizes the Vietnamese people's desire for good crops, prosperity, happiness, strength and chivalry. 

The buffalo entering Vietnamese culture becomes a familiar image, a symbol for hard work, gentleness, health, simplicity, is an image of industriousness, hard work, toil and health, when only returning home. health is said to be as strong as a buffalo (or as strong as a duck). They provide heavy plowing power, buffaloes also provide meat and milk. The idiom "buffalo is the head of a business” not only speaks to the important role of the buffalo for farmers but also shows how important the buffalo is in each family and in our national culture.. This Vietnam national animal is a symbol of solidarity and community strength, although its gentle nature, sometimes too honest, it has to suffer losses, but buffalo are also brave animals, good at war, not easy to bully. Because with amazing health and powerful curved horns, a great hero, the story "Buffalo unite to kill tiger” is a lesson in the spirit of solidarity, synergy to fight the enemy.

Aside from its many abilities, buffalo can also provide meat and other parts of its body for various industries. Buffalo meat has been becoming more and more favored by a huge number of food lovers, while its skin and bones can be used to make jackets, helmets, shoes as well as other products and fashion items. The existence of the buffalo has brought certain economic benefits for Vietnam.

Water buffalo can weigh over 1,000 kilos

The short, stiff hair of the water buffalo has a dark gray coat. In the wild, they often stand seven feet tall and weigh 2,500 pounds (1,100 kilograms). The size of domesticated species is reduced, though. 

Water buffalo has an upper jaw with no teeth

The lack of teeth in Vietnam buffalo is explained by a folk tale, just like many other practices, individuals, and animals in Vietnam. It seems that once at a time, a farmer feigned to demonstrate knowledge to a tiger who was curious about what it was. The farmer captured the tiger and then chained him to a tree before setting him on fire. However, the tiger managed to escape and, in retaliation, kicked out the water buffalo's teeth.

Water buffalo skin can bring good luck

For the Vietnamese, even the pattern of hair growth on the skin of the water buffalo is important. It denotes luck and health if it develops symmetrically on the buffalo with uniform growth.

Water buffalo can run at 30 miles per hour

When under danger, water buffaloes can move quickly—on average, they can move at 30 mph. That is just slightly slower than the tiger, one of their main predators.

Water buffalo is crazy in love with water

As herbivores, buffaloes eat grass, plants, and other types of vegetation. Aquatic plants make up the majority of their diet because they spend the majority of their time underwater. As a result, the availability of water determines whether they can exist in a certain ecosystem. Additionally, water keeps them cool. Although they also use rolling in the mud to control their body temperatures.

Water buffalo helped build a nation

Water buffaloes are kind and docile, and because of this, mankind has been domesticating them for more than 5,000 years. In addition to providing food for people, they have also provided energy, which has been very useful for plowing the fields and moving people and products. The creatures earned the moniker "tractors of the East" as a result. Water buffaloes are highly prized and cherished by Vietnam's impoverished farmers; they are frequently considered as part of the family. The adage reads, "The husband plows, the wife sows, the water buffaloes drag the rake and are friends of the children”.

Water buffalo milk makes authentic mozzarella cheese

Water buffalo milk is used to make authentic mozzarella cheese. Vietnamese cities are being overrun by Italian pizza and pasta shops that use the local cheese made from the nation's cattle since it is so well-liked. Keep that trivial detail in mind the next time you and your pals enjoy an Italian pizza.

Water buffalo is one of the endangered animals in Vietnam

The water buffalo is a threatened species. Less than 4,000 are still present in the wild. In the wild, they can live up to nine years, and in captivity, 25. Excessive hunting, infections and parasites spread by domestic cattle, and natural predators like tigers, lions, and crocodiles are among the common reasons for mortality.

Water buffalo quack like ducks

Water buffaloes make noises that mimic ducks quacking. Recent investigations by paleontologists suggest that dinosaurs did as well. We concur that despite the weak relationship, Vietnam's hard-working, mud-rolling quacking beast of the soil is just as wonderful and deserves to be honored.

WHERE TO EXPERIENCE ACTIVITIES WITH BUFFALO

Riding water buffalo in Hoi An 

Riding a water buffalo has evolved into a leisure activity in the countryside of Hoi An, helping foreign tourists learn more about Vietnamese culture and daily life. In a short period of time, thousands of tourists from across the globe have stopped in Hoi An to partake in the action firsthand with tremendous passion and excitement.

Tourists may freely enjoy the clean environment while waiting for their time to ride the buffalo in the midst of Tra Que hamlet, Hoi An city, surrounded by the tranquil fields and cool air. A buffalo may go over the enormous rice fields or waddle in the river while carrying one to three people at once. Each buffalo will be closely watched by a local to ensure that it walks along the proper trails or at the appropriate speed. In addition to the many entertaining things to do in Hoi An, including seeing the old town, tasting local cuisine, or living a day in the life of a farmer, riding a buffalo has fast become a favorite with tourists from other countries.

Tourists will be instructed on how to sit on the buffalo correctly once they have finished paying for and selecting their buffalo and the animal has stabilized itself in the rice water field. The owner of the buffalo will then gradually bring it farther into the paddy field. When the buffalo reaches a certain distance, they will let go of the animal, then slightly poke it to urge the animal to run faster, causing enthusiasm for the tourists. The buffalo may occasionally halt, which indicates that it is unhappy and needs its handler to pat it and encourage it to continue going. This adorable reaction makes tourists love the buffalo of Vietnam even more.

The majority of us are used to being surrounded by enormous buildings, congested streets, and nonstop traffic, so spending time in the tranquil countryside chatting and playing with animals will be a welcome break. In addition to providing visitors with the opportunity to be near nature, this activity also offers a singular experience of renewing both physical and mental health while avoiding contemporary technology and bustling city life. When attempting to ride a buffalo, which is practically difficult to achieve in their own countries, several international visitors have demonstrated their joy and willingness.

Tourists may have a one-of-a-kind and lovely memories with a kind-hearted animal when riding a water buffalo, as well as get a better understanding of Vietnamese culture and customs. Children's participation in the activity may instill in them a love and respect for both animals and the natural world, as well as teach them the value of environmental preservation.

Although they must transport humans, Hoi An's buffaloes are given very great care. The locals try to meet all of their requirements, including eating, bathing, and relaxing. The opportunity for people to adore and contact the animal more in a kind and safe environment has led to the perception that riding water buffaloes is a kind and charitable pastime.

Tips on Riding a Water Buffalo 

- Pay close attention to the owner of the buffalo's instructions. It is strongly advised that you heed what the owner says and refrain from acting contrary to it in order to have a memorable and trouble-free experience riding a buffalo.

- Show warmth and gentleness to the buffalo. The buffaloes that are utilized for riding activities have undergone extensive training to become friendly and calm animals that are not accustomed to noisy or violent behavior.

- Remain motionless when riding the buffalo. It is essential to sit quietly and properly when riding a buffalo. In addition to upsetting the buffalo, excessive movement on its back may probably lead you to tumble off and get harmful injuries. The owner will be able to ensure your safety more easily if you can sit still.              

- Dress properly and wear shorts. One of the enjoyable aspects of riding a buffalo is being carried through a rice field that is submerged in water. The buffalo will waddle gently through the water while you are kept dry and safe on its back. However, occasionally getting a little mud on your shoes or jeans is unavoidable. Therefore, try to wear something short, choose for sandals over shoes, or just take off your shoes before climbing upon the buffalo's back if you want to keep your clothing dry and safe.

- Should not feed the buffalo by yourself. Ask the buffalo's owner for permission before feeding it, as well as the right kind of goodies for the animal. The owner would be happy to offer you instructions on how to properly feed the buffalo and some food for it. If you accidentally feed a buffalo something it can't digest, the buffalo may contract certain diseases and you will be required to pay for its treatment, which is not at all convenient for your vacation. 

Even though it has only been around for a few years, riding a water buffalo in Hoi An has already become one of the most well-known and popular pastimes, particularly among foreign tourists. Riding water buffaloes attracted hundreds of domestic and international visitors who participated in it as a way to promote Vietnamese agriculture and to communicate the message that animals and the environment should be loved, protected, and preserved.

If you leave Hoi An city without attempting to ride the buffalo at least once, it will be such a waste. The activity will not only provide you a unique glimpse into life in a Hoi An village, but it will also make you feel closer to Vietnam's national animal and inspire you to live more sustainably.

Watch water buffalo fighting in Do Son 

The Do Son Fighting Buffalo Festival was recognized as a Vietnam intangible cultural treasure in 2013 due to its profound spiritual and social significance. As a result, the Do Son people give it a lot of thought and work each year. Except for the notable buffaloes, not all buffaloes can fight during the preparation period. The "buffalo warriors" must be at least 4 to 5 years old and meet certain requirements, including having a big chest, long neck, robust back, and bow-shaped horn. The next year, these buffaloes were carefully nurtured and educated while being kept apart from other buffaloes.

Beginning with the first of the eighth lunar month, the Fighting Buffalo Festival is held. The sacred water is initially changed once a year and preserved in the hall of each village as part of a rite celebrating the Water Goddess. Then, the chosen animals' owners are required to bring their "fighters” to the Village Hall to participate in a ritual honoring the Tutelary God. Following that, these warriors will be referred to as "Sir buffaloes”, representing the aspirations of the local populace.

People of all ages congregate at the festival site on the main day of the Fighting Buffalo Festival, stopping most of their daily activities merely to partake in this huge, cheerful event. At the beginning, 24 men in two rows are performing a leisurely flag dance while wearing vibrant costumes and loud, upbeat music played on traditional instruments. It is stated that Sir buffaloes battles more vehemently when the environment is lively.

A loudspeaker announces the start of the battle at exactly 8 o'clock, which is the first indication to draw Sir buffaloes into the arena. They are then guided to a stop in front of the Ngu Phung flag tower from both sides. When the second signal is given, sir buffaloes are drawn 20 meters closer. Sir buffaloes is untied from the rope at the last signal to begin the fight. It is stated that the community with the winning buffalo would have a lucky year. Ultimately, all buffaloes are murdered to make the sacrifice even though the war was lost.

There are divisive viewpoints today on the Festival's existence. Some protestors strongly urge the elimination of the Fighting Buffalo Festival because they believe it fosters an image of violence and inhumanity in such a contemporary culture. On the other hand, the advocate, who is supported by a number of social scientists, continues to believe that this Festival plays a crucial part in the mental health of the Do Son people since it is seen and well-known by every family in the neighborhood. Without it, the distinctive custom could not be preserved, and the strong social ties among Do Son people would probably crumble.