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 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 Muaeng
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.
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 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.
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