Posted by Jenni C. on Friday, 19. February 1999 at 09:07 Bali Time:
In Reply to: Cock Fight's - EDDIE ???? posted by Wondering Wendie on Thursday, 18. February 1999 at 23:42 Bali Time:
Cockfighting is a very important part of Balinese culture. The Balinese can't understand an attitude that doesn't accept this ritual – to them a rooster is as dead in the kitchen as after a cockfight; besides cockfights are staged as a religious duty, as a sport that gives an opportunity for a little gambling and as a way to provide food for the next day, especially on nyepi.
Cockfights are organised events staged and planned independently by each banjar (cooperative societies of people who assist each other in planning & arranging village ceremonies, etc. There are various banjars in each village).
Each cock has a vicious steel blade about five inches long and sharp as razor attached to the right foot in place of the natural spur which was cut off. When both cocks are ready and betting has been placed, the beating of a small gong signals the fight to begin. The cocks, held by their owners, are provoked against each other and released. In a cloud of flying feathers and a round lasting only a few seconds, suddenly the two cocks stop and stand motionless in front of each other, both steaming blood, until one staggers and falls dead. The winner usually still pecks at the corpse and if wounded it is healed and often lives to fight many battles. A cock is disqualified if it runs away at the beginning. When a cock is wounded and still considered it can go on fighting, its owner gives it strength to go on with special massages, blowing his own breath into its lungs. If both refuse to fight, they are placed in a basket together where one can't avoid being killed.
If you don't like/accept cockfighting, don't plan to be in Bali around Nyepi. The actual celebration of Nyepi extends over a period of two days. There is a great purification offering day (Metjaru) and Nyepi, the day of silence. On the 1st day cockfighting is an essential part of the Ceremony, coz' the land is cured by spilling blood over impure earth. In each banjar the day before Nyepi, hundreds of roosters are sacrificed. The dead roosters are taken home and cooked for the nyepi meal, since on no cooking is allowed on nyepi day itself.
As well as Nyepi, cockfights are staged on other occassions, such as in the ricefield. Elaborate rituals & offerings are made before work is done in the ricefield. After the holy water is obtained from the holy sources, such as Lake Batur or Basakih, a feast is given in honour of the divine guests. Dances are held and the water sprinkled over the fields and common canal, then more offerings given so that the water will flow through the proper channels. Water is then let in to flood the dry prepared soil, members of the village subak (cooperative water board) meet and take vows not to steal water from another. The land is again cleansed with another offering to the evil spirits and cockfights are staged to satisfy their thirst for blood.
When I was in Bali I passed by a cockfight and my Balinese friend enthusiastically stopped his motorbike and asked me to go watch. I was horrified at the thought and proceeded to lecture him on animal rights, etc. He was somewhat confused at my reaction. After doing some homework and learning to respect other cultures, I now feel like a real jerk acting in such a way – I should have embraced the opportunity. Doesn't mean I can't turn away at the crucial moment, in fact several moments. But being there and experiencing their rituals 1st hand should be a great honour.
Jenni