Bali – Cockfight
Cockfighting is originally a religious ritual and the rooster killed in battle is sacrificed to the god Shiwa. The custom dates back to pre-Hindu times. The blood that flows into the earth during cockfighting is said to appease the demons. In the meantime, however, cockfighting has increasingly become an entertainment sport for men.
Cockfighting is the national sport of Bali’s men.On the streets you can see bell-shaped woven baskets everywhere, in which the roosters proudly walk up and down. They are vainly guarded, cared for and even massaged daily so that their muscles develop strongly.
When the men sit together in the evening after work, they compare which is probably the best rooster and discuss past and future fights. Cockfighting dates back to pre-Hindu times, it was a rite to appease evil spirits through a blood sacrifice. Today, it is only used to satisfy the passion for betting. By tugging at the feathers, the animals are made angry. They attack each other with long, sharp knives attached to one of the feet.
After just a few seconds, the fight is usually decided. One of the two roosters collapses bleeding. Actually, cockfights, which are only held as part of a competition, have been banned since 1982.
Hanhnen fights are still allowed for ritual events (e.g. purification ceremonies, temple festivals). Despite the ban, however, many so-called “training events” continue to take place.
