Here I am again, here I am again… recharged, ready for battle!

Yes, as a West Indian expression would say: "Mwen ô komba!" This means that I am ready to face whatever comes my way, in this very special back-to-school season given the global health context. After recharging my batteries and sharing with you a little of the behind-the-scenes of my vacation, we are off again for a season rich in color, emotion, happiness and good humor!

At a time when fighting is at the center of all debates, I will present to you a West Indian tradition that is as controversial as it is popular: cockfighting.

 

What is cockfighting?

Cockfighting, as its name suggests, is a confrontation organized around this farm animal which is none other than the symbol, the emblem of France: the rooster!

This unique event is orchestrated in a very specific environment with strict rules defined by the initiates. They are rigorously respected in the gallodrome, more commonly known in the Antilles as "Pitt" for Martinique, "Pitakok" for Guadeloupe, "Rond de coq" in Reunion.

It is important to realize that a Pitt, beyond the tourist attraction it can generate, is a place that has many codes and where money circulates in abundance. In short, although this may be identified as a distraction by some, this is not a child's game. "Adan Pitt moun paka fè lafèt!" ("in a Pitt, we don't laugh")

But before we go any further, let's take a little trip back in time.

 

Where does this tradition come from?

Cockfighting is a practice that is present in many countries around the world. Due to its vindictive nature, the rooster does not appreciate competition and will be ready to go to the death to defend its dominant position on a territory against a rival. This character trait can be as surprising as it is paradoxical for an animal rather known for its sociability… but this tenacity sometimes reserves extraordinary confrontations for us.

These battles, which today are fully registered in the intangible cultural heritage of the Overseas Territories, would never have seen the light of day if this gallinaceous bird had not been introduced by the Spanish in the 17th century. From the moment they arrived on the island, the animal was considered as much a fighting bird as a domestic fowl.

That said, this introduction is specific to the Antilles since in other overseas territories, the origin of cockfighting comes from the Chinese (for Polynesia) and the Indians (for Reunion).

As a result, these events have a very specific scope and organization depending on where we are on our sweet planet. The fact remains that the races used are more or less the same almost everywhere in the world.

 

Cockfighting participants

Of course, among the participants in the cockfight there is… the rooster himself.

In our regions, the fighting cock is raised, pampered, spoiled, cherished until it stands in the arena like a valiant conqueror. There are 3 main breeds:

• Bankiva rooster or “big-syrup” rooster, dark red
• "Ash" rooster, with black and white feathers
• “Madras” rooster because of its orange-red color

If you want to get into the discipline, it should be noted that the price of a fighting cock varies between approximately 1,500 and 10,000 euros.

I come to the other participants, the "cockle-eaters". Owners, players or spectators, the cockle-eaters are all those found within the pit enclosure.

Although this age-old practice is usually passed down from father to son, it is not reserved for men only. However, as the years go by and restrictions increase, the number of pitts decreases dramatically.

 

Legislation surrounding cockfighting

Just a few decades ago, Martinique had nearly 185 gallodromes on its territory. Today, there are only 19 left!

The reason for this sharp decline is not only due to the enthusiasm and investment that has been much lower in recent years, but also to the very repressive legislation concerning the discipline. Indeed, while many "rich countries" have simply banned the practice, there is an exemption for the following territories: Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Réunion, Polynesia, Hauts-de-France. This exemption is justified by an "uninterrupted local tradition". That being said, it is still forbidden to create new cockfighting arenas, with a fine of 30,000 euros, accompanied by a prison sentence in the event of non-compliance with the law.

While it is true that from now on, particularly in Guadeloupe, cocks no longer fight to the death – a few minutes of immobilization on the ground is enough to declare the fight lost, as in boxing – cockfighting is considered to be bullfighting by many. As a result, many animal rights associations are campaigning for the discipline to be stopped. Their desire to put an end to these fights is supported by the very strict training conditions, the use of doping products for some and the financial windfall generated by what they consider to be animal abuse.

 

 

The survival of a tradition

To this day, the gallodromes therefore suffer from this bad reputation and it goes without saying that the health crisis situation accompanied by the ban on gatherings has strongly impacted the discipline. Under these conditions, the coqueleurs of Guadeloupe were even obliged to send an open letter to the Prime Minister of France, Jean Castex, given the decisions taken by the prefect on the territory.

In Martinique, the resumption of activities is happening gradually but the successive lockdowns do not allow a full resumption of activity either.

As in any high-level discipline, it is always very difficult to recycle these outstanding competitors. The losses are therefore obviously considerable.

Despite everything, cockfighting in the Antilles remains an institution. An activity that is fully part of the local heritage of these territories. This tradition, present for several centuries, is clearly not in tune with the times... but a people without culture, is it not a people without a soul...?

 

And you? For or against cockfighting? In your opinion, should a tradition be saved at all costs?

Give me your opinion in comments….

 

A an dot suney (see you soon),

Lina