Pacu jawi (from the Minangkabau language: "cow racing") is a traditional sports competition in Tanah Datar regency, West Sumatra, Indonesia. In this event, a pair of cows run on a muddy paddy track about 60–250 meters long, while a jockey stands behind them holding the two cows. Although the name means "race", the cows are only released in pairs without sparring, and there is no official winner. Each pair of cows runs in turn, while the audience evaluates the cows (mainly based on their speed and ability to walk straight), and sometimes buys the superior cows at prices far above the normal price. Residents of Tanah Datar (mainly from the four sub-districts of Sungai Tarab, Pariangan, Lima Kaum, and Rembatan) have been holding this event for centuries to celebrate the rice harvest. This event is also accompanied by village and cultural festivities called Alek Pacu Jawi. Later, this event became a tourist attraction supported by the government, and became a photographic object that received various awards in the field of photography. Since 2020, Pacu Jawi has been officially recognized by the government of the Republic of Indonesia as one of Indonesia's unique Intangible Cultural Heritage in the field of Performing Arts originating from West Sumatra.

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