The Gayo Tribe Horse Racing Tradition in the Commemoration of the Anniversary of Takengon City

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Hello travelers, I hope you are always happy and healthy.

This is a story about Gayo traditional horse racing events and Gayo folk festivals. Tourists really enjoy this event, which lasts for a whole week. During the celebration of Takengon City 446th anniversary, I am aware that hundreds of racehorses from five districts are participating in the Gayo traditional horse racing event.

The H M Hasan Gayo Racecourse in Belang Bebangka Pegasing, Central Aceh, has been selected as the venue for this horse racing competition. This is an important spot in the center of Takengon, the capital of the Central Aceh District. Along the circular track, which is only constrained by a rattan and wood barrier, the track condition appears very natural and comfortable, but sometimes it seems dangerous for unruly spectators to traverse on the racetrack.

In Central Aceh District, Gayo Traditional Races typically take place twice a year, once in February to mark the anniversary of Takengon City and once in September to mark the anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia. This time around, hundreds of people from five districts : Bener Meriah, Central Aceh, Southeast Aceh, Aceh Tamiang District, and Gayo Lues participated in the 2023 competition.

The implementation of this horse racing event has been carried on from generation to generation, and it has evolved into a competition event that is full of local wisdom. Notably, locals claim that horse racing has been held in Takengon since the Dutch colonial era, following the harvest of agricultural products. The jockeys competing in this event are typically still in junior high school, and they ride their horses without a saddle or other safety equipment.

One of the tourist attractions in Central Aceh that can entice visitors is the traditional Gayo horse racing event. My opinion is that the introduction of horse racing can also serve as a momentum for maintaining promotion of Takengon city tourism and cultural sectors. In addition, a number of regional officials and security personnel participated in escorting and supervising the event's implementation.

Gayo residents have only ever worked as farmers on the agricultural lands that provide them with a living. As a result, it was time for them to take pleasure in the annual event. The horses that were raced at that time were unusual in that they also plowed rice fields.

Thousands of people from the Central Aceh district as well as neighboring districts like Bener Meriah, Lhokseumawe, Gayo Lues, and Southeast Aceh, North Aceh attended this event. They were seen congregating at the racetrack as spectators and supporters of the race. The stalls provided by the organizers were also occupied by hundreds of vendors and playground managers.

I hope that this article can educate and inform you. I appreciate your attention and support. We wish each other success!!!

Camera : Iphone XR

Edited : Lightroom

Location : Aceh Tengah, Takengon

Category : Travel, Culture

Regards,@ponpase

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