Wonderful Indonesia!
This is Pacu Jawi!
Exploring Indonesia is my obsession.
I keep going back to Indo because I love the people who are so friendly and welcoming, for the huge variety of photographic opportunities and of course the amazing experiences and surprises that always present themselves!
One of my favourite action events is PACU JAWI (pronounced paCHOO jawi). I love PJ for the excitement, colours, sights and sounds.
Pacu Jawi is a traditional Cow Race held in the highlands of West Sumatra;
the event celebrates the end of the rice harvest and is both a celebration and entertainment for the local community.
It’s also an opportunity for owners to show off their cows to attending traders. The best cows are not only sturdy and strong but run straight and fast, attributes which attract a higher price.
A winning cow may double its selling price and become a source of pride and is a symbol of prestige for its owner.
2014 > Bite the Tail
Canon 1DX, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM@173mm, 1/640, f/8, ISO 800
The Pacu Jawi event is truly unique. The Jockey stands barefooted on the modified plough holding on to the tails of the tethered cows. He bites the tail of the cow to goad and speed it on!
2014 > Pacu Jawi Photographers
Canon 1DX, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM@140mm, 1/1000, f/8, ISO 1250
Photographers flock from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Australia to shoot this end of harvest season event. Photographing the traditional Mud Cow race can be risky business though, could it even be termed extreme photography? I think so! If unlucky, the photographer may become part of the spectacular action!
Wayward Cows
Canon 1DX, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM@190mm, 1/640, f/8, ISO 640
Photographers shoot from around the edges of the paddy field but there are no fences or boundaries so the cows sometimes veer off the ‘track’ and plow through anyone standing around! Yes, it pays to stay alert.
Many photographers are content to shoot from the edges of the field, others are determined to get photos of the cow teams approaching HEAD-ON. The first time I shot Pacu Jawi I decided .. when in Rome .. and joined a group at the finish line to shoot the approaching cows. It was extremely unnerving to say the least, particularly when crouched down using a long focal lens and the beasts approach like the huge hulking masses that they are - straight at me, But... I did get used to it!
As the cow team arrives, the brave (foolhardy?) photographers must stand their ground no matter the instinct / desire to run away. The cows must swerve away from YOU, the photographer. Naturally the cows don’t want to collide with you any more than you want them to!!
A problem does arise though when there's more than one group of photographers at the finish line as there often is. This can obviously confuse the cows … which direction to go? Well … Straight through of course! ... and the photographers become bowling pins!
2014 > Finish Line Tumble
Canon 1DX, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM@165mm, 1/800, f/8, ISO 640
2015 > Canon 1DX, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM@90mm, 1/800, f/5.6, ISO 250
An experienced Pacu-Jawi shooter takes this tumble in his stride.
2015 > Canon 1DX, EF70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM@78mm, 1/200, f/5.6, ISO 250
