Many have heard of it, and equally many haven’t, but all those who experience the bull-butting event in Fujairah come away with wide smiles on their faces, often asking themselves “Why didn’t I come before or often”?
It is a cliché event that Fujairah has been known for a while now, but it’s surprising how many people, even from Fujairah itself, have not experienced it firsthand. What is in no doubt is that once they do, the experience comes as a pleasant surprise.
Bull-butting is a non-blood pastime played out in Fujairah and neighboring Oman for decades and is actually traced back to the Portuguese who frequented these coasts centuries ago.
The spectacle is held on a small square arena consisting of an open sandy area surrounded by a most useful metal barrier to protect against frightened or angry rampaging bulls. The whole arena is also enclosed by an outside fence, behind which four-wheel cars pull up for a prime view position, especially for the kids who climb up on the hoods and tops.
Tradition
The event is completely organized and run by volunteer bull-butting enthusiasts who grew up with the pastime and want to preserve it for future generations.
Ali Musabbah Al Kindi is such an example, a member of the armed forces and based in Abu Dhabi, he sees the game as part of who he is and it shows in his dedication and commitment.
“I grew up with this pastime; as soon as I could I got involved in the everyday details of looking after the bulls and the organization of the event and so on”, said Ali Al Kindi.Their keep and training takes time and money with prices for a prize winning bul reaching up to 70,000 dirhams. Most bulls, however are bought young and inexperienced to be trained and bulked up for competition, but even then, Ali says, you’re not guaranteed a decent fighting bull.
Training is based on two main activities for the bull, mainly concentrated in the days leading up to the date of competition: walking usually for up to 5 kilometers before a competition week, and swimming which is usually done on the Fujairah beach just opposite the fighting arena.
The bulls are kept in an Ezba, a small animal barn, usually located in near farms or in remote unpopulated foothills of mountains.
The most prized bulls come from the Netherlands and Austria, favored for their size and strength, and then comes the bulls from Pakistan and Iran.
Local bred bulls used to make up the bulk of fighting bulls, but they were disadvantaged by their relatively smaller size when the imported bulls entered the scene.
Attending
On match day, the atmosphere is festive and relaxed. The event is well organized, particularly from the bull-butting competition point of view, visitors are welcome to attend, but there are no designated seating areas for audiences, spectators are free to make their way around the arena for a convenient viewing position.
Article written by Fuad Mohammed Ali
*The opinions expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, or the publisher.
