The authorities in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong have issued a ban on the buffalo sacrifices at traditional festivals.

Buffalo sacrifices will be banned at traditional festivals

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism was asked to work closer with other departments and offices to manage festivals as well as reducing the scale and regularity of festivals. Festivals that are deemed ‘uncivilised’ or promoting violence will be banned or have the content adjusted.

The authorities also stated that no buffalo sacrifices would be held at traditional festivals.

Buffalo sacrifices are a common ritual at many traditional ethnic minority festivals in the Central Highlands. Cultural experts have expressed mixed opinions on whether the ritual should be banned. Some people said the ritual should be preserved because it's unique part of the identity of ethnic groups. Others said the ritual was cruel and need to be ended in modern times.

In February, Dak Lak’s authorities decided to replace the traditional buffalo stabbing ceremony at annual Buon Don Elephant Racing Festival with a symbolic ritual as part of an effort to stop violent activities at festivals.

Last year, Animals Asia Foundation started a campaign to call on authorities of Bac Ninh Province to issue a law to end the pig slaughtering tradition during Nem Thuong Festival where heads of the pigs are chopped off publicly and people dip money in the blood for ‘luck’. However, the villagers continued holding the festival in private.