Madagascar’s cockfights: a weekend tradition and gamble
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In Toliara, Madagascar, men and families regularly gather to watch cockfights, a long-held leisure activity. Owners in the Betsingilo neighborhood train their roosters with daily care, providing vitamins and quality food to prepare them for matches that can last up to an hour and fifty-five minutes.
These contests involve owners betting significant sums of money on their birds, with wagers sometimes reaching 10 million ariary.
Rasolofonarivo, known as Riri, owns a fighting arena that has operated for nearly twenty years and receives 10% of all bets placed. During a recent match, Ferdinand, a well-known rooster, lost to his opponent after a prolonged struggle. His owner had bet 100,000 ariary on Ferdinand’s victory, but the bird weakened early in the fight.
Owners often try to revive their roosters during brief breaks with water, but defeated birds will lower their heads, lie down, and sometimes die during the contest. Riri explained that losing roosters are often slaughtered and prepared with ginger. The arena owner plans to expand the facilities to include VIP areas and a bar, hoping to further develop the popular weekend pastime. Spectators enjoy the excitement of the matches and also participate by bringing their own roosters to compete.
