When the Vietnamese want to refer to a prosperous time or person, they say “Ruong sau, trau nai” (The large rice field, the fat buffalo).

To indicate envy for the privileged, they say “Trau cot ghet trau an” (The tethered buffalo hates the grazing buffalo).

To underline the importance of integrity and reputation, they have a saying: “Trau chet de da nguoi chet de tieng” (The dead buffalo leaves behind its skin, the dead man leaves behind his reputation).

Being a humble and kind people, the Vietnamese are advised to be content with whatever they have:

“Trau ta an co dong ta
Tuy rang co cut nhung ma co que”

(Our buffalo should graze on our grass
Though short, it is our village grass)

The animal is an analogy for hardworking and masculine people as seen in the idiom “lam nhu trau” (work like a buffalo) or in the following limerick:

“Cua chua ai thay chang them
Em cho chi muon chong em it ngay
Chong em dau phai trau cay
De cho chi muon ca ngay lan dem”

“Whoever doesn’t crave good fruits
Please lend me your husband for a few days
My husband is not a plowing buffalo
To be lent to you to serve during the day and night”

A young girl compares her maturity to a calf growing up into a buffalo as she tactfully suggests to her lover that it is time for him to propose.

“Cong anh chan nghe da lau
Bay gio nghe da thanh trau ai cay?”

“You have spent a long time looking after this calf
Now this calf has grown into a buffalo to be tended by whom?”

In the mind of the Viet farmer, the buffalo rivals his wife in importance as this popular saying shows:

“Tau trau, lay vo, lam nha
Trong ba viec ay that la kho khan”

(Buying a buffalo, finding a wife, and building a home
All these tasks are so difficult)

Besides imparting industrious ideals, the buffalo is sometimes invoked to set a romantic scene:

“Tren dong can, duoi dong sau
Chong cay vo cay, con trau di bua”

(Everywhere, in dry or flooded fields
The husband is found tilling, the wife planting, and the buffalo plowing).

Other idealized poems expressing hope and love for life during hardships include:

“Ai bao chan trau la kho, chan trau suong lam chu” (who said tending buffalo is difficult? It is enjoyable to say the least.”

Then there is the spoof on it:

“Ai bao chan trau la kho
Toi chan nang con kho hon trau”

(Who said tending buffalos is arduous?
Tending my girlfriend is even more so)

Other sayings, though apparently nonsensical, are in fact quite deep and philosophical:

“Thiet tinh hong phai ba hoa
Hom qua tui thay con ga da trau
Ga da trau bao lau moi thang
Trau da ga, que cang con trau”

(I am not joking
Yesterday I saw a chicken kicking a buffalo
How can a chicken win?
But the buffalo could break its leg if it tries to kick back at the chicken)

There are countless other sayings featuring the buffalo. “Dan gay tai trau” (Playing music in a buffalo’s ears) refers to displaying skills to someone who cannot appreciate them.

There is even a legend on how the bovine came into this world.

Once upon a time, God sent an angel to Vietnam to help its farmers. The angel carried two bags, one containing grains for humans and the other grass seeds for cattle. He was told to sow the grains first and grass next but the forgetful angel did the opposite.

Furious, God exiled the angel by turning him into a buffalo and sending him to Vietnam to eat up all the grass he had inadvertently grown and toil in the fields to atone for his mistake.

But enough! Stop reading and prepare to celebrate one of the most joyous times of the year in Vietnam. Happy New Year!

VietNamNet/SGGP