The Water Buffalo--The Carabao of Guam and the Philippines
The Carabao. The Water Buffalo. Sort of like a four-legged, non-gas-burning tractor. Can help with hauling sugar cane. Can handle the mud while plowing rice paddies. Can swim very well. Can get rid of a water hyacinth problem. Useful for rural tropical transportation. Can haul tropical Santas around in their carts. And good for their milk (I guess--I've heard this, but have never tried it myself!).
The Morning Commute -- Guam-Style! (Southern Guam, that is)
Conflict Resolution, Carabao Style!
Conflict Resolution (Waterbuffalo, Vietnam)
We had to stop and see how these two waterbuffalo settled a dispute. Their negotiations were facilitated by a couple of the local people (with long sticks.)
Carabao Cart Full of Goodies!
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Big Beasties!
Unlike the African Water Buffalo--which are formidable and dangerous to encounter no matter where you find them (they aren't domesticated!)--the Asian and Pacific Water Buffalo, called Carabao on Guam, most of Micronesia, the Northern Marianas Islands, and the Philippines, when domesticated, is a gentle giant and is used extensively as an agricultural and rural worker.These animals are also common in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Southern China, MyanMar, Taiwan, Okinawa, India, Sri Lanka, Borneo, Indonesia, Malaysia, and most other tropical Asian areas.
Carabao Goodies You Can Wear!
Manila Express Dark T-Shirt
Vintage design of the Philippine capital city Manila and two iconic filipino symbols, the jeepney and the carabao.
Mabuhay Dark T-Shirt
The Filipino word Mabuhay generally means "live long" or "to your health." Filipinos used it to welcome guests and wish others the best luck. It's similar to the Hawaiian word "Aloha." Mabuhay!
Carabao! Not the Fastest Transportation, But If You Like a Stroll, They'll Do!
Carabao in Parked Mode
Cheap and Convenient Transportation--All Terrain, Goes Almost Anywhere, Sort of Smelly, Though...
When I was growing up on the island of Guam, I ran encountered water buffalos, or carabao, with a strange frequency.When boonie-stomping on the way to Talofofo Falls via the dirt road and then the mud trail through swamp to cross the river, we'd be startled by dark shapes (the carabao) rising out of the mud amidst the swordgrass in front us.
When waiting for the school bus to come by our makeshift bus-stop (a combination mom-and-pop store and pool-hall along the main drag through Malojloj, Guam), sometimes the guys from the local farms would come by on their rides (the water buffalo, or carabao) to pick up some food or other supplies for the day.
Also, when walking through Merizo or Inarajan, you could once in a while walk past a carabao tied up at the side of the road or next to the river outlet. They'd be contentedly chewing on the swordgrass or other vegetation where they were standing.
Carabao Stuff from All Over!
The Carabao-Turtle Race And Other Philippine Animal Folk Tales
8 classic stories about animals. Helps a child und more...1 point
Photo (S): Carabao Plowing rice field, Philippines
This is a museum-quality, reproduction print on pr more...0 points
Mouse Pad with "water buffalo", buffalo, zoo, captivity, mammal, vattenbuffel, livestock, animal, ungulate, horns, bovine
Professional "Brite White" fabric mouse more...0 points
Carabao--When Ya Gotta Ride, Ya Gotta Ride!
What Do They Eat? A Lot!
Carabao like to eat swordgrass (which is a good thing on Guam). They also like to eat water hyacinths. For this reason, some were imported (flown on a cargo plane) to Florida to help get rid of their water hyacinth problem (the water hyacinths were plugging up the waterways. Carabao Eating Almost Everything--The Grass, The Tree, The ...
Close-Up of One of the "Business Ends" of a Carabao (You don't want to see the other end!)
Well, I'm not going to buffalo you into dropping a note--but it'd be cool if you left one!
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beachbum_gabby
I have ride on a Carabao when I went home at my grandmother's house in the Philippines. Very memorable experience. :) Posted May 21, 2008 |
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charlesgrimes
When I was 3 we lived in Guam. There were still Japanese soldiers living in the jungle who didn't know the war was over. I ran away from home once. I wanted to go ride the carabao. Posted January 28, 2008 |
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Classic
Very informative lens, as usual! Thanks for submitting your great lens to my group Nature and Environment! Posted January 05, 2008 |
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NAIZA
Very Filipino! Carabaos are very essential in the lives of many people especially farmers whose source of living depends on them. Fantastic! Posted December 12, 2007 |
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Janusz
"four-legged, non-gas-burning tractor" :D brilliant! Your Lenses are great. Posted December 11, 2007 |
