Jamshedpur, Oct. 23: Youths are generally not enthusiastic about preserving and honouring traditions. But the tribals here are keen on not losing their centuries-old khuntau, or bullfight, played during Sohrai, the harvest festival.

Though it’s not a fight, and the bulls are not killed, the game is nevertheless dangerous and spectators and participants get injured often. But that has not deterred the villagers in Karandih and adjoining areas from feeding their animals specially-prepared food to get the cattle in shape for the event.

The major khuntau events are scheduled at Baregorah village, under Parsudhih police station jurisdiction, on October 25 and at Jaipal Singh Stadium on November 5.

On these days, the bulls are honoured and their strength tested and awarded. The rural population vehemently believes that good harvest is possible only because of help from bulls, which are used extensively for ploughing and other agricultural activities. Goats and other cattle are also worshiped during the festival.

The owner of the strongest bull is awarded. The test of strength begins by tying the bull to a pole in a field, which is fenced. Participants and drummers enter the enclosure and provoke the bull to run into a dangling leather mattress; similar to the Spanish bullfights.

The two prominent committees of the district — the Adivasi Youth Club in Karandih and the Jharkhand Adivasi Sarna Samity — have been organising khuntau for decades.

Patron of Jharkhand Adivasi Sarna Samity and JMM activist, Demka Soy, said khuntau is dangerous. “But the youth are in favour of continuing with it. A large number of people turn up at the event and the number of participants increase every year.” The secretary of Adivasi Youth Club, Iswar Soren, said several people nurture bulls for khuntau.

“There was a time when these people did not like to rear bulls in their homes. But as khuntau became popular, people started rearing bulls and cattle.”