Cockfighting is a blood sport involving domesticated roosters as the combatants. The first documented use of the word gamecock, denoting use of the cock as to a “game“, a sport, pastime or entertainment, was recorded in 1634,[1 after the term “cock of the game” used by George Wilson, in the earliest known book on the sport of cockfighting in The Commendation of Cocks and Cock Fighting in 1607. But it was during Magellan‘s voyage of discovery of the Philippines in 1521 when modern cockfighting was first witnessed and documented for Westerners by the Italian Antonio Pigafetta, Magellan’s chronicler, in the Kingdom of Taytay.

The gamecocks (not to be confused with game birds), are specially bred and conditioned for increased stamina and strength. Male and female chickens of such a breed are referred to as gamefowl. Cocks possess congenital aggression toward all males of the same species. Wagers are often made on the outcome of the match, held in a ring called a cockpit.

Cockfighting is a blood sport due in some part to the physical trauma the cocks inflict on each other, which is sometimes increased by attaching metal spurs to the cocks’ natural spurs. While not all fights are to the death, the cocks may endure significant physical trauma. In some areas around the world, cockfighting is still practiced as a mainstream event; in some countries it is regulated by law, or forbidden outright.

ockfighting has a long and complex history that spans various cultures and centuries. Here’s a brief overview:

Ancient Origins

  • Early Beginnings: The practice of cockfighting dates back thousands of years. The earliest evidence suggests that it was practiced in ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Chinese. Archaeological finds show that cockfighting was popular in ancient Greece, where it was considered a sport and a form of entertainment.

  • Roman Era: During the Roman Empire, cockfighting became more organized and was often held in conjunction with other forms of gladiatorial combat. Romans valued the sport for its excitement and the opportunity it provided to showcase the breeding and training of fighting cocks.

Spread Across Cultures

  • Asia: Cockfighting has a strong tradition in many Asian cultures. In India, it has been a part of the culture for centuries, with references found in ancient texts. The sport was also popular in China and Japan, where it was integrated into local traditions and rituals.

  • Europe: The practice spread to Europe during the Middle Ages. By the 16th and 17th centuries, cockfighting had become a popular pastime among the aristocracy and was often featured in royal courts. It was seen as a sport of skill and strategy, and various breeds of fighting cocks were developed and refined.

Modern Developments

  • Regulation and Decline: In the 19th and 20th centuries, attitudes toward cockfighting began to shift. Many countries started to impose regulations or outright ban the practice due to concerns about animal cruelty. The Humane Society International and other animal rights organizations have played a significant role in raising awareness and advocating for the end of cockfighting.

  • Cultural Significance: Despite its decline in many parts of the world, cockfighting remains a cultural tradition in some regions. In places like the Philippines, the sport is still practiced, often accompanied by large festivals and significant local support.

Ethical Considerations

Cockfighting is now widely criticized for its treatment of animals. The sport involves intense training and often results in serious injury or death for the birds involved. Many countries have enacted animal welfare laws that prohibit or restrict the practice, reflecting a growing recognition of animal rights and ethical treatment.

Overall, the history of cockfighting reflects broader changes in societal values regarding animal welfare and the evolution of cultural practices.

History

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In this ancient Roman mosaic, two cocks face off in front of a table displaying the purse for the winner between a caduceus and a palm of victory (National Archaeological Museum of Naples)

 

Fatimid Luster Plate with Cock Fight. Cairo, 11th–12th century. Keir Collection of Islamic Art

Cockfighting is an ancient spectator sport. There is evidence that cockfighting was a pastime in the Indus Valley civilization.The Encyclopedia Britannica (2008) holds:

The sport was popular in ancient times in India, China, Persia, and other Eastern countries and was introduced into Ancient Greece in the time of Themistocles (c. 524–460 BC). For a long time the Romans affected to despise this “Greek diversion”, but they ended up adopting it so enthusiastically that the agricultural writer Columella (1st century AD) complained that its devotees often spent their whole patrimony in betting at the side of the pit.

Based on his analysis of a Mohenjo-daro seal, Iravatham Mahadevan speculates that the city’s ancient name could have been Kukkutarma (“the city [-rma] of the cockerel [kukkuta]”).However, according to a recent study, “it is not known whether these birds made much contribution to the modern domestic fowl. Chickens from the Harappan culture of the Indus Valley (2500–2100 BC) may have been the main source of diffusion throughout the world.” Also, “Within the Indus Valley, indications are that chickens were used for sport and not for food (Zeuner 1963)”, cited in R.D. Crawford (1990). and that by 1000 BC they had assumed “religious significance”.

In China, the first recorded cockfight took place in 517 BC.

Some additional insight into the pre-history of European and American secular cockfighting may be taken from The London Encyclopaedia:

At first cockfighting was partly a religious and partly a political institution at Athens; and was continued for improving the seeds of valor in the minds of their youth, but was afterwards perverted both there and in the other parts of Greece to a common pastime, without any political or religious intention.

An early image of a fighting rooster has been found on a 6th-century BC seal of Jaazaniah from the biblical city of Mizpah in Benjamin, near Jerusalem. Remains of these birds have been found at other Israelite Iron Age sites, when the rooster was used as a fighting bird; they are also pictured on other seals from the period as a symbol of ferocity, such as the late-7th-century BC red jasper seal inscribed “Jehoahaz, son of the king”, which likely belonged to Jehoahaz of Judah “while he was still a prince during his father’s life”.v

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