In almost every country in the world, most regions with distinguished localities are known for their unique lifestyle and traditions. The rural or underprivileged population of developing or third-world countries has to get creative to find good, fulfilling entertainment with limited resources, and the donkey derby is a perfect example of that. This eccentric sport, though not the most widely known, is thoroughly enjoyed by the people of the Sindhi and Balochi communities of Karachi. These people not only organize, but also take part in these races. Everyone involved in the event is heavily invested in it, and spends months planning and preparing for every single part of it with absolute dedication.
While one major event is held annually, these races actually take place almost weekly in different locations all over Karachi. The nature and rules of the races may differ in terms of things like the route and number of participants, but the basics remain the same. Participants must race from one checkpoint to another within an allotted area on a donkey cart pulled by their own animal. There are officials posted at different points to monitor the race, along with a roadside audience who often place bets amongst themselves on who they believe will win – this is one of the main things that creates the hype surrounding these races.
In Pakistan, donkey cart races most prominently take place in Karachi. While their exact origin isn’t known, they have been held in the city for decades. The event comprises mostly of people from Lyari town, who gather on the day of the race at the decided location to help out with preparations, and also to act as a live audience. As mentioned previously, this is a chance for people from different communities to come together and celebrate their love for this one sport – even the audience gets a chance to participate and contribute to every part of the event, which is why it is looked forward to by everyone involved.
The Balochi and Sindhi culture is highlighted in all parts of the race, from the attire to the music. A live band of locals from the area plays traditional Balochi music on instruments like the shehnai, tabla and dholak, some of which they have made and customized themselves; this is how the race usually commences. The participants are mostly dressed in normal shalwar qameez, but those who want to further portray their culture might add clothing articles or fabrics (like ajrak) to represent their own roots. The race is supposed to take place using donkey carts that seat one person, while the audience can follow behind the participants in their own vehicles.
The donkeys, being the main stars of the show are also decorated. They are given fascinating names, like Badal or Andhi, and might even be decorated using henna. A lot of owners like to spell the donkey’s name out across its body, or even shave it into its fur. This gives owners a chance to represent whatever they want with as much creativity as they can add during the race. For some of these races, the winner(s) may also receive a cash prize.
Weeks before the date of the event, participants begin preparing their animals for the big day. These donkeys aren’t the regular ones that you see pulling carts amidst the busy traffic of the city – they are raised and trained all their lives for this very purpose. From their diet to where they are kept, everything is very specific for these animals, and according to the owners, it all contributes to preparing them for the race. The owners are often quite attached to these animals, due to how differently they have to raise them. They are given a lot of attention and treated with the utmost care, since aside from the pride that comes with winning this race, a lot of owners see them as a source of income too; however, this is only through the money they earn from the race. These donkeys are rarely used for any other purpose rather than to entertain during races. They have to be well-trained due to the nature of this sport, since the race takes place among regular traffic. These animals can also get badly wounded due to this, which should be a cause of concern for everyone involved.
Donkey cart racing has been around for centuries. It’s a sport that entire communities of people hold very dear to their hearts, since it is one of the few sources of entertainment they have. Over the years, it has evolved in many ways and the knowledge of it has spread, to a point where it now can be found taking place in some regions of the Caribbean as well. However, with the nature of these games come some risks that cannot be avoided. Just like any other sport, donkey cat racing has its own pros and cons, with the latter believed to outweigh the former by most outsiders.
While these races are an excellent alternative to more expensive forms of entertainment and are enjoyed by a lot of people, the management could certainly be better. Due to the lack of a proper budget and resources, everything about the event has to be a makeshift arrangement. Things like ongoing traffic and injuries of animals are not tended to as they should, which leads to a lot of criticism due to some of the events being televised. It can also be seen as a violation of animal rights, since a lot of these donkeys get severely injured during the race, which is something that is seen being casually brushed off my most owners. Moreover, it disrupts the lives of those going about their day, due to the chaotic, haphazard nature of these races, since the route decided is never cleared specifically for the event.
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