The Water Buffalo Sacrifice

The spear-carriers circle the animal closely tied to the maple pole. Because the bull can fight violently and potentially injure the spear carriers, the bull was traditionally circled as wild prey and repeatedly stabbed until dead. If the animal falls with its head in the host family's home direction, it is auspicious, if away from the house and in another direction, less promising. If the bull falls in the opposite direction of the house, it is considered a bad omen, and the entire ritual thought a failure.
