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What a Race: Kambala Buffalo Run is an Indian Tradition

Published February 16th, 2020 - 07:09 GMT

A kambala is an annual buffalo race held in the southwestern Indian state of Karnataka. Traditionally, it is sponsored by local Tuluva landlords and households.

The event usually starts in November and ends in March, which is organized through kambala samithis (Kambala Associations), of which there are currently 18.

On the other hand, more than 45 races are held every year in coastal Karnataka, including smaller remote villages such as Vandaru and Gulvadi.

This year, Srinivas Gowda reportedly completed the 142m race in just 13.42s, setting a new record in the traditional sport of Karnataka.

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In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP

In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP

In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP

In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP

Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)

Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)

Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)

Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)

buffalo with traditional ornament in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)

buffalo with traditional ornament in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)

decoration of kart in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)

decoration of kart in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)

Competitors taking part in the bull taming sport of jallikattu on January 14, 2018. (Shutterstock)

Competitors taking part in the bull taming sport of jallikattu on January 14, 2018. (Shutterstock)

Kambala or Kambla is a rural sport, prominent in districts of Udupi and Mangalore in Karnataka, India. (Shutterstock)

Kambala or Kambla is a rural sport, prominent in districts of Udupi and Mangalore in Karnataka, India. (Shutterstock)

Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock))

Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock))

Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock)

Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock)

In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP
In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP
Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)
Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)
buffalo with traditional ornament in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)
decoration of kart in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)
Competitors taking part in the bull taming sport of jallikattu on January 14, 2018. (Shutterstock)
Kambala or Kambla is a rural sport, prominent in districts of Udupi and Mangalore in Karnataka, India. (Shutterstock)
Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock))
Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock)
In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP
In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP
In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP
In this photo taken on January 31, 2020, Srinivas Gowda, 28, hailing from the Dakshina Kannada district runs alongside his buffalos during 'Kambala', the traditional buffalo racing event, held at Aikala village in Dakshina Kannada district about 30 kms from Mangalore. Indian sports authorities will hold trials for a buffalo jockey dubbed as "Usain Bolt" on social media for his speed after he set a record in a traditional race, officials said February 15. Rathan Barady / AFP
Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)
Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)
Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)
Kambala, an annual buffalo race sport conducted at paddy fields of Kadri. (Shutterstock)
buffalo with traditional ornament in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)
buffalo with traditional ornament in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)
decoration of kart in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)
decoration of kart in bali during buffalo race festival. (Shutterstock)
Competitors taking part in the bull taming sport of jallikattu on January 14, 2018. (Shutterstock)
Competitors taking part in the bull taming sport of jallikattu on January 14, 2018. (Shutterstock)
Kambala or Kambla is a rural sport, prominent in districts of Udupi and Mangalore in Karnataka, India. (Shutterstock)
Kambala or Kambla is a rural sport, prominent in districts of Udupi and Mangalore in Karnataka, India. (Shutterstock)
Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock))
Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock))
Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock)
Kambala is a traditional buffalo racing event held annually between Nov and Mar at various towns and villages along coastal Karnataka, India. Clicked on 28-Jan-2012 at Katpadi, India. (Shutterstock)

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