Salinas de Manaure

American classic

Cockfighting sport and culture. Breeding, training of cocks; cockfight arena and people involved in cockfights.
There is always gambling involved in cockfights. The amount of bets depends on the name of these breeders who take part in cockfights.

There is always gambling involved in cockfights. The amount of bets depends on the name of these breeders who take part in cockfights.
Cockfight breeders usually cut their cock's feather off to create different shapes and so to make the birds visually attractive.

Cockfight breeders usually cut their cock's feather off to create different shapes and so to make the birds visually attractive.
Gallera San Miguel (Bogotá), one of the most prestigious cockfight arenas in Colombia.

Gallera San Miguel (Bogotá), one of the most prestigious cockfight arenas in Colombia.
The cocks are equipped with tortoise-shell made gaffs tied to the bird's leg. Gaffs make the cockfight much shorter (up to 15 minutes maximum).

The cocks are equipped with tortoise-shell made gaffs tied to the bird's leg. Gaffs make the cockfight much shorter (up to 15 minutes maximum).
The fight preparation of a cock (gaffs attachment, activation of the bird,…) is a complex procedure which may last half an hour or more.

The fight preparation of a cock (gaffs attachment, activation of the bird,…) is a complex procedure which may last half an hour or more.
Cock attacks using its pecker and its claws. Birds run fast inside the ring trying to get away from rival's drives.

Cock attacks using its pecker and its claws. Birds run fast inside the ring trying to get away from rival's drives.
Cockfights attract all type of men, no matter the age neither the social status. Women are rarely seen.

Cockfights attract all type of men, no matter the age neither the social status. Women are rarely seen.
Cocks are specially trained to increase their aggression, stamina and to improve their fighting techniques, basically in the same way like professional athletes are.

Cocks are specially trained to increase their aggression, stamina and to improve their fighting techniques, basically in the same way like professional athletes are.
Cockfight is a bloody spectacle. If a fighting cock wins certain number of matches they keep him for reproduction and do not let him fight anymore.

Cockfight is a bloody spectacle. If a fighting cock wins certain number of matches they keep him for reproduction and do not let him fight anymore.
The owner is trying to save his cock's life after he lost the match. Brave cocks are highly treasured and one lost doesn't mean much while coincidence plays an important role in cockfights.

The owner is trying to save his cock's life after he lost the match. Brave cocks are highly treasured and one lost doesn't mean much while coincidence plays an important role in cockfights.
Cock's comb and wattle are cut off in the age of three months. Those body parts would bleed a lot if hit by pecker during the match.

Cock's comb and wattle are cut off in the age of three months. Those body parts would bleed a lot if hit by pecker during the match.
The trainer prepares his cock champion for a fight. There are a lot of tricks to get the bird into the right fighting condition.

The trainer prepares his cock champion for a fight. There are a lot of tricks to get the bird into the right fighting condition.
The owner is inspecting his cock's injuries after a very tough match in Gallera San Miguel (Bogotá).

The owner is inspecting his cock's injuries after a very tough match in Gallera San Miguel (Bogotá).
The cock trainer holding his trainee during the drill.

The cock trainer holding his trainee during the drill.

Cockfight

Colombia and Venezuela – March-July 2006

Cockfight is a widely popular and legal sporting event in much of Latin America. The fight is usually held in an arena (gallera) with seats for spectators. There is always gambling involved in cockfights. People take advantage of cock's natural, strong will to fight against all males of the same species. Birds are specially bred to increase their aggression and stamina, they are given the best of food and care. The cocks are equipped with tortoise-shell made gaffs tied to the bird's leg. The fight is not intentionally to the death but it may result in the death of cocks very often because birds never stop fighting till they are dead.

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