In 1995, Chau Soc Khonl began his path of cultivation and only 2 years later, he became a monk at Ro Pagoda (An Cu commune, An Giang province). From the vacant land next to the pagoda, he spontaneously organized bullfighting.
Initially, the race only had 12 pairs of cows in Vinh Thuong hamlet competing. The pagoda is located in a remote location, without conditions to award large prizes, but for the people, it is a place for villagers to meet, cheer and live fully in the festival atmosphere imbued with identity.
From a small scale, the race was supported by many organizations and businesses and gradually expanded to neighboring areas such as: Vinh Trung, Nui Cam... increasing the number to 24 and by 2026 it had gathered 32 excellent pairs of cows. When the Bay Nui Cattle Racing Festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, the wish of the people of Ro Pagoda became even more solid: To preserve the traditional playing style.
Those are fierce accelerations on the water-loving yard, creating magnificent bouquets of water lilies under the sunlight, cheers echoing, blood ties between people and fields, between Khmer people and Kinh people, Chinese people...
Over time, socialized resources are mobilized, and rewards gradually increase. Not stopping at a fun event, from 2014, when businesses participated in the organization, Venerable Chau Soc Khonl skillfully combined the race with social security activities. The bull race is now also an opportunity to give warm gifts to poor households, award scholarships and school supplies to disadvantaged students. Wins and losses in the race are pushed back, giving way to the community's spirit of sharing.
In particular, the monk also skillfully integrates the festival space to spread traditional culture. On the days of the race, the monk organizes the decoration of the Ro Pagoda grounds filled with Southern Buddhist colors. Visitors are treated by the pagoda and Buddhists to Khmer specialty gifts such as palm sugar beef cakes, cà - tum cakes, fresh palmyra water and sweet palmyra tea.
For more than a quarter of a century, the cheers along the Rô Pagoda race track have never stopped. Venerable Chau Soc Khonl's decision to keep the land of the past not only keeps a playground, but also embraces a region of memories and the priceless cultural soul of the Khmer people in the Seven Mountains region. The small pagoda is therefore not only a place for religious activities, but has become a source of heritage transmission to future generations.
