Feb 19, 2023

Boom boom oxen



Another vanishing superstitious practice...The Boom boom maadu. These are 'holy' male cows (ox) that are used for fortune telling by a nomadic tribe as a tradition for many generations.  I am surprised to see a few still prevalent in Bengaluru city. The name 'boom boom' comes from the unique booming sound made by the fortune tellers by  rubbing a stick against the drum leather. The ox is trained to answers the questions posed by the owner by shaking its head as "yes or no". Thus predicting the future of the customer. 


16 comments:

  1. Fascinating, and I love the stoy behid it. Valerie

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  2. So interesting. According to my dad who used to show a lot of Herford steers, if you spend the time (and he did hours on end at stockshows) you could even train them to poop on cue. Unfortunately, he touched his steer in the wrong place and it pooped on the judge's boot.

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    1. Very funny and intetesting :)

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  3. That's really interesting.

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  4. Anonymous1:54 AM

    Very interesting. I love these capsules into history. Nice photos.

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  5. Fascinating tradition. Dont see them in Mumbai now.

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  6. Interesting tradition.

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  7. Hello...new here! I like your blog...very interesting information. The cow is dressed beautifully!
    I have followed you!
    hugs
    Donna

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  8. Nice capture of practice on the brink of extinction.

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  9. I enjoyed the entire video but didn't understand a word. What is the cost of having a fortune told by the Ox? I would pay even though I never saw him shake his head "no". Thank you for sharing this.

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    1. Actually there is no fixed rate. People pay money as per their wish. Some times they are paid with food, clothes, etc also.

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  10. What an interesting traiditon.

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  11. i knew that cows have special value in your religion but this is new piece of information for me that like parrot here you have cows who tell fortune by nodding heads :)

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  12. These street photos you take are so fascinating.

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  13. I've never heard of this! One reason I love blogs --you learn something new every day.

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