Spring 2015

July 2015
Valencia & Andalusia  -  Ramadam in the Caliphate of Corduba

 

خلافة قرطبة

Phuket


Song Birds of Southern Thailand

The caged birds compete with one another. The aim is to sing as many times as possible within a given time. The time is measured using a metal bowl with a hole in it. When it reaches the bottom of the bucket, the time is up and the next heat begins.


 The bird's owners shout and coax their birds to sing. Some have special clicks and whistles which they have trained their birds to respond to, whilst others shout their bird's name. At the end of a heat, the winning bird advances to the next round.
Between four and six bird calls seemed to be the average. One bird only managed two. Another, eight; his owner's hand was shaken by several impressed onlookers.