Cock Fight

Cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters (cocks), held in a ring called a cockpit. Two owners of the cock place their game cock in the cockpit. The cocks fight until one of them dies or is critically injured. Cockfighting is a favorite sport of people living in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore district of Odisha.

During festival seasons, this is the major game for men. Women normally don't participate. There are many rare breeds of cocks preserved by the communities involved in cock fight. The cock fight starts from early December and culminate with Makar Sankranti in mid-January. The cocks are fed almonds, cashew nuts, millets and wheat grains to make them strong for the tough battles. The fights between the specially-bred and trained cocks are organised on sprawling fields with thousands watching the spectacle. Three to four-inch long blades, or sharp knives, are tied to the cock's legs and the fight continues till one of the two cocks dies. Such is the craze for it, cock fights are also organised at night under floodlights. The owner of the winning cock gets the loser cock as per the custom. People watch with intense interest surrounding the cocks. The sport has gradually become a gambling sport.