The good thing about cockfighting is that you get to see everything that happens behind the scenes. Just stand by the bar at the Club Gallistico San Miguel, and you will see men setting their cocks on plastic tables, that would otherwise be used for food and drinks.
Like stylists, the cock managers will skillfully clip the feathers on their bird´s neck to allow for greater mobility. They´ll sharpen it´s claws with a knife, and wrap its toes in sports tape. They´ll attach sharp razors on the bird´s legs, that will enable the cock to strike a fatal blow on its opponent. And the more superstitious managers may even douse a strange potion over their cock -- the bird of course -- hoping that this bit of magic will ensure victory.
There are almost no women in cockfighting venues. So inside the ring men may play cards and socialize, until the two angry birds are released from their cages on the arena. The spectators will watch closely as the quick cocks pound each other with their beaks and slice each other´s bodies with their flying claws. But they will also stick their ear out for good bets.
Anyone can propose a wager to anyone else in the stands and a simple nod, is enough to secure the bet. There´s no paper involved in Cock bets, no lawyers or stamps. A cockfighting bet is a deal "between men" and a cockfighters´ word -- la palabra de gallero -- is supposed to be as good as gold.
The fights have a twelve minute time limit, but you´re not likely to see a full length combat. Some cocks will die quickly from a razor on their throat, others may collapse in exhaustion, and die slowly as their opponent finishes them off with several pecks on the head. Once in a while there may be a tie, and the injured animals will live to fight another day.
You may call this cruelty against animals. But it seems that cock fighting aficionados prefer to see their sport in a more enlightened form.
"We´re helping the process of natural selection" said Mr Gutierrez, an owner of thirty fighting cocks who kindly introduced me to the rules of the sport. "When two cocks meet in real life" he added with a shrug, "they will always try to kill each other over mating rights".
It may be too much Darwinism for some to bear,
but Cockfighting is a legal sport in Colombia and there are hundreds of
rings dispersed across
big cities and small towns across the country. Bogota boasts
11 cock venues, with fights taking place every day except Tuesday.
One of them is the "Club Gallistico San Miguel", a 53 year old structure that is conveniently located on Calle 77 with Carrera 19. Fights take place here on Wednesday and Fridays nights from 8pm until there are no more cocks to fight, which is usually around 3am. General seating costs 15,000 pesos, and ringside tickets will set you back some 40 to 50 thousand.
If you need to take a break from the excitement , or if you simply can´t bear to see more blood and death, there´s a bar that serves reasonably priced aguardiente and beer on the club´s ground floor. There´s also a cheap chicken restaurant around the corner. (photos by Manuel Rueda)
Joshua
said:
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... Cock fighting is illegal in almost every western country. There is a reason Michael Vick is in jail for animal cruelty. Americans take this very seriously. I am not saying that Colombia should change it\'s laws to appease anyone. To each their own. But I think that it is a mistake for this website to report on cock fighting in a manner that seems to condone it if not at least promote it. If one goes through the effort to make an English website to promote what is good about Colombia to the English speaking world why on Earth would you want to promote cock fighting. It\'s a negative topic (hot on the minds of Americans ie.Michael Vick) and does more harm that help. I am sure there are many (Bad) topics of discussion that could be reported on but for what purpose? Is this web site simply a news site or is it a tool to promote what is beautiful in Colombia? If it is the latter then maybe the editor should think again about what message is to be sent to the English speaking world. |
manuelrda
said:
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... There are also some colombians who are opposed to cockfights, and bullfights and such. But some are in favour, and most don´t care. Promote "what is good about Colombia"..?.perhaps through a western -or American- lens, you are assuming cockfighting is "bad". But for many Colombians, cockfighting is not a "bad" or a "shameful" thing or something we should "hide" about our country... Cockfighting fans are totally respectable and honest people, they´re actually quite friendly and keen to discuss their sport with foreigners.. And as far as I´m concerned it´s just another activity where you can go to learn some more about the local culture, and the local people, even if you feel sorry for the birds. Besides what´s the point of travelling if you´re only going to do things you feel "comfortable with"? But in any case, if you don´t like it, nobody´s forcing you to go. |
Matador
said:
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... I do not agree with fighting roosters where it is illigal. But, if it is part of their culture and heritage I have no problem with it. Some cultures fight people, ie. Irak and Afganistan, and other people fight animals.! |
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