KAMPONG SPEU, Cambodia, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian villagers on Sunday organized a centuries-old ox-cart racing event here to celebrate the upcoming Khmer Lunar New Year, which runs from April 14 to 16.
Sun Meanchey, director of the Kampong Speu Provincial Department of Culture and Fine Arts, said a total of 80 pairs of oxen were taken to participate in this year's race, up from 50 pairs in last year's event.
"The event is to protect and preserve our age-old ox-cart racing tradition from extinction," he told Xinhua. "According to history, ox-cart racing tradition has existed for hundreds, or probably thousands, of years in Cambodia."
Held at a field in Snor 1 village in Chbar Mon town, about 42 km west of the capital Phnom Penh, the event saw ox-carts race on a 1-km dirt track, as hundreds of spectators enthusiastically watched and cheered on the winners of the race.
Ox-carts were used to carry dowries and elderly people for wedding ceremonies or other festivals in ancient times, and later, villagers initiated ox-cart races in their villages to mark the traditional Lunar New Year, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts.
"This event has not only preserved our centuries-old tradition, but also created a joyful atmosphere for our people before the Khmer New Year," said Khat Sokhay, head of the Kampong Speu Provincial Oxen Association.
Currently, the use of ox-carts is on the brink of disappearance since people turn to modern modes of transport. ■