Bali, besides known for the nature beauty, is also known for the culture and tradition that color the people’s daily life. One of the most popular traditions in Bali is cockfighting. Cockfighting is a very old traditional in Bali. Cockfights have a ceremonial purpose of ritually spilling blood, an important pacification of the demons that escorts Hindu temple festivals. In fact, cockfight is required, not just allowed at every Balinese temple festival or religious ceremony. The blood is an offering to the hungry forces of evil, the butas and kalas.
The cock that is used in this cockfighting is treated specially. They are fondled, massaged, plucked, bathed, deloused, and fed the choicest mixtures of corn, rice, egg, and proprietary strength-building ingredients. It is said that a mixture of chopped grilled meat and jack-fruit leaves thickens the blood and prevents serious bleeding when injury results on the fight.
Most cockfights begin in the afternoon. Only the larger temples have morning starts. It will be very festive during the event. Ladies set up stands and sell many things ranging from fruit, rice cakes, sate, and shaved ice with sweet, brightly colored syrups. Men play cards and shoot dice. But today, vendors sell plastic buckets, photographs, calendars, stuffed animals, and toys for kids.
The ceremony starts when the cocks are brought to the arena in small, flexible bamboo cages. The cages are lined up around the edge of the arena, inside the barricade, and their handlers’ squat behind them. Then a white-clad priest advances to the center of the arena and presents offerings on the ground to the butas and kalas, chanting over them, ringing his bell over them, and finally pouring rice wine on the ground. Then he makes similar offerings to the gods in a shrine built up off the ground at a corner of the arena. Blood is on the way.
The ceremony ends when it has already three rounds. But the crowds will not just stop there. The males will just be there chatting about the match or anything else. This traditional ceremony is now rarely met. But if you interested to see, you can ask some local people to take you to villages that still run this ceremony.
http://baliarticles.com/2009/07/17/balinese-cock-fighting/
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