Bull racing in Pamekasan

Pamekasan is one of two places
for bull racing on Madura island

It is my second time on Madura island. This time I’m on the way to Pamekasan on the south coast of the island. During my first time on Madura, I visited Bangkalan on the north coast of the island. Pamekasan is a city almost on the east end of the Madura island.  The only access to the island by car is via the Bridge of Madura from Surabaya.

My wish was always to visit one time the bull racing event in Bangkalan. Bull racing is a special thing on Madura and well known in Indonesia especially in East Java. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to visit Bangkalan during the bull racing season. However, this year the bull racing event takes place in Pamekasan. Unexpected heavy traffic and a huge traffic jam extended my travel time dramatically. Madura has only one road along the south coast.

Bull racing, in Indonesia called Karapan sapi, is a public event on Madura island once per year.

It seems everybody from the city is on their legs. Parking was a little tricky. But fortunately, I found a place for parking close to the racing course. A huge crowd gathering on the way to the main gate. Right and left the narrow road street marketeers selling all possible stuff.

Teams racing against each other. Two bulls have one rider. The rider is sitting on a frame pulled by the bulls. I don’t know the rules but two bulls running straight away a two hundred metres run. The first is the winner indeed. It was funny to see how people anticipate.

It was hot, dusty and noisy on the racing course. But I have seen the famous bull racing from Madura island finally.