The Legend of Cockfighting
Cockfights are considered to be blood sports. Two roosters are made to fight against each other in a ring called a cockpit. Cockfighting was first seen in the Indus valley civilization in 2000 BC. The game was popular in India, China, Persia, and was later introduced to Greece in 524- 460 BC. In India in the Tamil regions, it was acknowledged as one of the 64 arts, and the fighting was done using jungle fowls. The Romans also adopted it. Many Romans are said to have spent most of their time beside the cockpit.
Cocks Reared for Fighting
The gamecocks were well conditioned and of a special breed, and given good care until the age of two. The wagers were laid. The fighting was of two kinds: one with a small knife tied like a bracelet to the ankle of the cock, where the spurs are, and the other, with the spurs alone.
The Two Types of Fights
The fighting is unto death in some cases while in others, it is fought with naked heels. The death fights, each of twenty-minute durations, have three rounds, with a gap of twenty minutes in between. The normal fights will be four rounds of 15 minutes each with a break of fifteen minutes.
Banned in Europe and the USA
Cock fighting is thought to be a monstrous sport by animal welfare and animal rights activists and others; this is because the birds are put to a lot of physical torture that they inflict on each other. Nowadays, cock fighting is banned in Europe and the USA.
Cockfights and Betting in South America
Many South American countries still have cockfights. The cockfights are carried out in areas that have seats for the viewers that are placed around the ring. Betting takes place on these cockfights. Cockfighting is ranked along with sports like baseball and American football.
The Cockfights in Bali
In Bali the cockfights are known as tajens, and though it has been banned since 1981, it is still carried out, but only for religious reasons. There is an ancient ritual in Bali that requires blood to be spilt, and so they use a cock fight to spill the blood. The spilt blood is then offered to evil spirits. Women are not even allowed to watch the fights. The cocks fight with a sharp knife that is called taji.
The Fast Development of Cockfights in the Philippines
In the Philippines, cockfighting is known as Sabong. Legal cockfights are held every week in cockpits. You will also find illegal cockfights in open areas. Cockfights are held with knives. There are also derbies held. In these derbies, the owner fields a fixed number of cocks and the one with the most number of wins get the jackpot. The Philippines have hosted many a World Slasher Derby. New cockpits are now being built in the Philippines. Cockfighting is still very famous all over the world excluding some European countries and the USA. Now it has also gone online and the betting is high.
Great Potential for Future Gambling
Cockfighting has been a sport of the ancient times and even now it attracts huge crowds. It is also considered to be a sport, which is associated with religious rites. Cockfighting is developing into a great arena for gambling.