Posted by Eddy S on Friday, 19. February 1999 at 07:34 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Cock Fight's - EDDIE ???? posted by Wondering Wendie on Thursday, 18. February 1999 at 23:42 Bali Time:
Hi Wendie.
If you're an animal lover, you would not able to see those creatures get hurt, they are bloody rooster aren't they.?
But again this 'adu ayam' (cock fighting) been around for loooong time in the island of Bali, even sometimes - because of gambling - the local police will shut down the whole trade.
Iam personally have no problem with cock fighting in Bali. I attended this kind of 'ceremonies' several times, more than enough - besides Iam a GAMBLER - my self.
To do betting in cock fighting, you have to know which one is bigger. If you choose for the smaler rooster you might have to pay less bet into the bigger one. The knives is all the same size. Most of the men who attending the cock fighting will say :"red....red...red"!
Means he's going to bet on the red rooster, although some men calling for the direction, example left or right before they started.
There will be a judge (refree), and the lucky guy can bring the dead one home, only if he please with the crowd. It is very confusing while you there, unless you know the rules and wanna bet on it. Local love to do it just before the big ceremonies such as 'galungan' or even the day before 'nyepi' day.
Sometimes they will be 'special invitation' from "banjar to banjar".
And get this, all the men get excited before the opening round.
I, my self loves gambling, so win or lose is just part of the game.
But in java also there is ram fighting known as "adu domba", and it is only in western java, and in Northern part of Sumatera you'll see people do the same thing for 'fish fighting' known as 'ikan laga' and yes..the gambling in their own way.
Indeed it part of their cultural gathering.
And one more thing, the day before fighting day sometimes the owner of the rooster will give his rooster 'arak'.
I had a couple rooster when I was in the island.
Not I like to see them fight, they job just to wake me up every morning before my office hours.
Bali in April
Eddy S.