I had no idea that painted cows were a form of cultural expression! The Daily Mail reports:
With their intricate patterns and bright colours, it is hardly surprising if these curious-looking painted bulls attract close attention.
But the reason behind their colourful hides is actually meant to ward off intruders.
Artistic residents in Jiangcheng County, Yunnan Province, China decorated their bulls for a festival, but the tradition began from a small Chinese group who believed painting their bulls would protect their village.
The Hani minority tale preached that the painted bulls would scare away tigers from wandering into their homes.
And this tradition now gives people the prefect excuse to show off their artistic talents.
Altogether 48 teams joined this year's China-Laos-Vietnam Bull Painting Festival.
There's more at the link.
I'd like to see a live cow painted up like this diagram:
That should attract tigers, never mind scare them off! It'd certainly make me hungry . . .
Peter
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