|
ASEAN Barred-Ground Dove (Zebra) Cooing Contest
Date: The first Saturday and Sunday of March of every year at the
Khwan Mueang Park
Background : Nursing zebra doves is very popular in the lower part
of the southern region. The zebra dove's coo is very pleasing to
the ear and the locals believe that as an auspicious animal, it
would bring fortune to its owner,especially if it possesses the
right features according to the books. Some believe that the dove
is the symbol of peace and purity.
Thai Moslems in the south are very fond of zebra doves. Because
a large number of locals love to keep them as pets, zebra dove contests
have become prevalent during many festivals. In 1986, the municipal
of Muang Yala and the Zebra Dove Club initiated the first regional
cooing zebra dove contest. It received much popularity, giving rise
to zebra dove farms. The most famous zebra dove farm is in Chana
District, Songkhla.
Activities : On the day of the contest, the owners of the doves
register and hoist their doves (which are in cages) to the tip of
assigned poles. There are two rounds, lasting ninety minutes per
round. The doves will be divided into three groups : Class A (with
big voices), Class B (with medium voices), Class C (with small voices),
and judged in their own group. Pre-established parameters are used
to judge the cooing quality. The scores will be transformed into
cooing quality levels according to each group of doves.
Judges will score taking into consideration, the duration and consistency
of the dove's coo, and the quality of the coos. Today, there is
another category of doves those that have big, medium, and small
voices. Besides the zebra dove contest, there may be a contest of
the most beautiful cages and a fair of pet dove equipment.
Java Songbird Contest
Yala is one of the southern provinces that favor Java Songbirds.
It is widely believed that Java Songbirds are good luck charms that
would bring good luck to their owners, especially those birds with
prescribed characteristics. The Yala Municipality Authority and
the Java Songbird Owner Association annually stage the ASEAN Java
Songbird Contest on the first weekend of March. The first contest
was held in B.E. 2529 and was very successful, leading to the annual
event held on the ground of Suan Khwan Mueang.
The City Pillar Ceremony
The City Pillar Ceremony is held annually in May on the ground of
the Yala Municipality Office features a model of the actual City
Pillar being paraded around town. Stalls displaying goods for sale,
exhibition, Government products, folk entertainment, such as Manora
Dance, Nung Talung, and Hulu Li Ke, are also on hand.
Yala Product and Cultural Revival Festival
Yala Product and Cultural Revival Festival is held annually on the
first weekend of August, on the grounds of the Yala Municipality
Office. Folk cultures from the various groups in the border provinces
of the south, mainly Chinese-Thai Buddhists and Thai Muslim, are
performed. There are also contests for Chi La Dance, Best Dressed
Banong, Si Bu-nga Siri (a special kind of potpourri), Rong-ngeng
Dance, Annacit Singing contest in Malay and Thai languages, plus
folk performances from various schools in the area. Exhibition of
Yala's best produce is not to be missed.
|
