Cockfighting rules the roost in Iraq

Reuters ^ | Tuesday 02 December 2003

[presidio9]

Entertainment-starved Iraqis are increasingly turning to cockfighting - a pastime that has been part of the country's fabric for centuries.

Though tolerated by Saddam Hussein, fans of the blood sport had to bribe policemen to indulge in gambling, an important part of the cockfighting routine.

However, the fans are having a great time since Saddam was ousted, as they are free to openly play the odds while the roosters fight to the death.

Cockfighting and the associated gambling are serious business in Iraq. Die-hard followers of the sport drive from across Iraq to Baghdad.

People like Kathim Jassim, Baghdad's king of cockfighting, are immensely popular and treated with respect.

On one recent night, the betting started at $50 in a country where monthly salaries rarely exceed $100.

A rooster owner from the holy Shiite city of Kerbala, where gambling is prohibited, explained why he could not stay away.

"I feel like I am the one fighting when my rooster wins," he said.

Fight to death

At a typical cockfight, the roosters flap their wings in frenzy and go for each other's throats with super-sharp claws as the crowd roars its approval and the odds shoot.

Animal rights groups would shudder at the sight of roosters fighting to the death or gouging out each other's eyes.

But the common Iraqis, traditionally used to the sport and who had no human rights for decades, do not understand why Western countries make a fuss over animals.

"It is inhuman. The rooster's neck or nose or wing is broken or it dies. But we Iraqis are used to blood and force," said Thia Sayyid, who trains and sells roosters in a poultry market in the poor Bayaa section of Baghdad.

Training regimen

The training regimen of these winged fighters would make any sportsman proud.

To strengthen the leg muscles, the roosters are placed on exercise wheels. They are kept away from females to keep them angry and primed for action.

At the age of one, the birds are placed in fighting pits for periods of five, 10 and 15 minutes to prepare for gruelling encounters that can last for two hours.

In some countries, the claw nails are cut off and replaced with metal. Iraqi trainers say that would be too cruel.

"This is an Islamic state. We would not do that," said Faris al-Qaisey, owner of The Ancient Casino in Baghdad, the capital's most popular cockfighting venue.

Mass appeal

Taxi drivers, engineers, accountants and labourers pack his grimy coffee shop every night as roosters size up their opponents. Some of the birds are imported from Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Thailand.

The spectators on this particular day are ordinary men from all walks of life.

The more the roosters tire, the more the audience jumps and screams, waiting for the kill.

Elderly men puff on water pipes, as the exhausted roosters take 60-second breaks between 15-minute rounds. Not everyone can handle the violence, but the tradition seems sure to continue from one generation to the next.

"I don't like the blood. But I love to watch," said 12-year-old Mustafa al-Amiri, as his father raised his bet.

Reuters

[chicagolady]

Sounds like the folks can not get enough of torture!

[presidio9]

This is an Islamic state. We would not do that

After all, Islam is "the religion of peace."

[soozla]

SICK!!! These people need to learn that a basic respect for life.....ALL LIFE........is integral to structuring a free society for themselves. This kind of crap has to be stopped....in the Middle East and everywhere. There are better things to do with time and money than torment defenseless animals in the name of "entertainment" or sport.

[deport]

Cockfighting is still legal in New Mexico and Louisiana.... Oklahoma outlawed it in an election recently.......

[cryptical]

Always bet on the skinny one!

[76834]

The same sport is popular here in the USA as well.
Legal in some states, New Mexico and I think Oklahoma perhaps a few others.
At least the bird has a 50% chance of surviving. A lot better than being shipped to Tyson

[Momaw Nadon]

Did somebody say cockfighting?

[shaggy eel]

These people need to learn a basic respect for life...

,,, life is cheap in central and South America and throughout Asia. Fair treatment of animals doesn't rate as an issue and there's no cable TV in an air conditioned lounge as an alternative for many who participate in this sort of distraction. I'm not saying it's right, just saying that's the way it is. Maybe PETA representatives could go over there unarmed and try to convince them not to continue with this practice.

[m1-lightning]

SICK!!! These people need to learn that a basic respect for life.....ALL LIFE........

[McGavin999]

Got to get them some decent TV.

[Khurkris]

I don't mean to offend the delicate sensibilities of any fellow Freepers, but cockfighting has a very long history in the good Ole USA. As a younster growing up in a rural area, I spent quite a few hot summer nights in a neighbors back barn serving Cokes and the occasional PBR/Carling/Bud to 'afficiandos' of the sport. And you would be hard pressed to label any of these folks as 'animal abusers'. We're talking chickens here.

I have also attended cockfights in the Phillipines and Thailand. Heck...like the other poster says...its better odds than Tyson...lol.

[McGavin999]

Oh yeah, and if they think they like cock fighting, they're going to love campaign season. :o)

[tet68]

Hah! "I was a cock teaser at Roosterama!" Bump

[76834]

I hear ya..
To the delicate sort, git out of the big cities and spend some time in the boonies. Get to know some folks and nearly every Saturday night they can steer you to a cockfight.
Perhaps you might see and old barn with fifty or more cars parked around it.

We are discussing cockfighting but another sport is every bit as popular, dog fighting.
Ever thought about how the "Pit" bulldog got it's name??

[m1-lightning]

I don't mean to offend the delicate sensibilities of any fellow Freepers

I'm just the opposite. This isn't the DU. I intend to offend animal lovers here all I can. Racoon fights are fun too.

[VRWC For Truth]

Cockfighting is Hildabeast's cause celeb.

Hillary signs on to bill banning cock fighting.

[presidio9]

its better odds than Tyson...lol.

Actually the best boxer in the world is also a top-ranked cock fighter.

[OpusatFR]

It's a different culture. I'm still trying to find out what dogs are used for over there. I heard a report that the pups are being sent here for adoption because they use dogs to feed other animals.

My question is this: since pigs are obviously out, do they use dogs in chicken feed or what?

[Ethyl]

,,, life is cheap in central and South America and throughout Asia. Fair treatment of animals doesn't rate as an issue and there's no cable TV in an air conditioned lounge as an alternative for many who participate in this sort of distraction. I'm not saying it's right, just saying that's the way it is. Maybe PETA representatives could go over there unarmed and try to convince them not to continue with this practice.


So you think that New Mexico and Oklahoma are in South America?????? Learn your geographics. That is America, Baby. We don't want your peta freaks hanging out here. What does that stand for?? People for Eating Tasty Animals? The name of the team at the University of South Carolina is the Gamecocks. What is your problem here?? Get real.