Karavali Sports.....

Folk Sports 

The people of South Kanara whose main occupation has been traditionally agriculture, have different modes of entertainment to coincide with different seasons of the year. Among them, the buffalo race, popularly known, as ‘Kambala’ is the trademark sport of the region, and the Cockfight, better known, as ‘Korikatta’ in local language are important folk sports.

Kambala – The Buffalo race:Kambala, the most beautiful sport dear to the cultivating community – in simple way means the racing of buffalos in wet fields. Since the weather of this region is tropical, the buffalo race is usually held after the rainy season.
History tells us that Alupa Kings, who ruled the region between 12th and 17th centuries, were the first to introduce Kambala to the Tulu region for the purpose of entertainment. Since then this rural sport has grown in popularity and attracts a huge number of spectators to witness the show that highlights tremendous energy, performance, speed and training.

The venue of Kambala is a veritable canvas offering an interesting spectacle – from a man walking with a pair of buffaloes, blowing of horns, the brass band playing, and curious viewers. Various stalls and the racing field. The event pulls visitors and spectators from all surrounding villages and towns that converge at one single place – Kambala.

The racing field is thoroughly ploughed and properly leveled with one-foot level of water covering it. The twin racing tracks are known as ‘Jodukere Kambalas’. The stretch of the racing track in full-fledged Kambalas is 450 ft long and the destination is known as ‘Manjotti’, which slopes upwards to reduce the speed of the galloping buffaloes.

There are various types of Buffalo races with a certain pair being trained for a particular race. Full fledged Kambalas usually have three types of competition namely,*Haggada Ota or Rope race*, *Kene Halaga Ota or Wooden ply race*,*Halage Ota or leveler plank race.**
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In the *Haggada Ota* or *Rope race*, the Pane is tied along with the yoke and the rope in between the two buffaloes, while the racer holds the rope. The pair reaching the destination first is declared as the winner.
In the *Kene Halaga Ota or wooden ply race*, the wooden ply is tied to the yoke and the racer keeps one foot or both feet on the wooden ply. Depending on the speed the buffaloes sprint splashes of water emant through the holes made through the ply. This is a spectacular race and the water splashes to a height of 10 – 15 ft.

In *Halage Ota* or *Leveler plank race*, the T Shaped wooden plank is tied between the buffaloes and the racer stands on the planks holding the rope and races. Here two pairs are made to run parallel and the victory belongs to the pair reaching the manjotti first.

Korikatta – Cockfight: Although in existence in ancient places like Rome and Greece, Korikatta is a more popular entertainment among the rural folk. The cocks used for the fight are carefully selected from good breed. While selecting the cocks equal attention is paid for the feather color, physique and age of the cocks. They are given initial training through mock fights with other cocks.

Initially pair of Cocks is chosen to fight each other while the spectators form a circle around the fighting arena. A sharp knife ‘Bal’ about 2-5 inches long is tied to the leg of each cock and thus they are prepared for the fight. This sport may be organised during day time under legal norms strictly without betting. Fights continue in a highly charged atmosphere and the cocks are held in opposite direction. They are enraged and made ferocious and they jump and kick at each other. The ‘Bal’ tied to the leg sometimes injures one cock or both. Sometimes the cocks suddenly runaway from the fight. The injured cocks are treated with medicine, stitches etc. and are made ready for next round of fight. The victory is decided when a cock runs, collapses or dies. The defeated cock is used in cooking a handsome meal to be shared with family and friends and is a moment to cherish.