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August 2015 back issue
by Vianney le Caer
Cockfighting in locally referred to in Haiti as ‘La Guerre des Coqs’ (Cockerel War). The birds fight each other for
several minutes until ‘La Paix’ (the peace) is reached when one of the competitors is either dead or no longer able to
fight.
Cockfighting is a very popular entertainment in Haiti and is an integrated part of society, especially in the slums. In
some instances, punters are known to bet several hundreds of dollars on a single fight and it is not rare to encounter
cockerel trainers practicing this sport as a way to make a living.
Punters and trainers gauge a cock before a fight in order to decide if they are willing to bet or not. Cayes-Jacmel,
HAITI. Sunday 3rd of May 2015.
Juma, a cock trainer, gauges his opponents birds before a fight.
Punters assess the potential strength of a bird and the betting starts before the fight.
Punters assess the strength of a cockerel before a fight.
Cockerel trainers gauge each other's bird before the fight.
The fight referee (left) makes sure one of the competitor's birds is fit for the fight and has no razor blades attached to its
wings.
Juma sprays water on his cockerel before the fight to make it more, "combat efficient.”
La guerre: The fight starts under the referee's scrutiny.
Bets will keep being made throughout the fight.
Juma reacts as he is declared winner of the fight.
A self appointed ‘cockerel doctor will try to revive the bird by sucking out blood and guts from its eye socket.
Another cock is seen receiving a shot of medication in order to save it.
Portrait of a cockerel in the empty arena.
A trainer feeds his bird after a fight.
A trainer brings his cockerel to a fight. The bird is wearing a sock on top of his head in order to prevent him from seeing
his opponent before the fight.
A trainer brings his cockerel to a fight.
A cockfight takes place.
A cockfight takes place.
