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In Madagascar, cockfighting is big business

Traditional sport is major source of income for many with wealthy enthusiasts betting even cars and houses on roosters.

A man shows off his rooster as he waits for an opponent. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
A man shows off his rooster as he waits for an opponent. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
By Ihsaan Haffejee
24 Jun 2015

Antananarivo, Madagascar – On any given weekend, the residents of Madagascar‘s capital, Antananarivo, gather for their weekly cockfighting competitions. Cockfighting is said to be one of the world’s oldest spectator sports. Although it is illegal and considered cruel in many countries, in Madagascar it dates back to the 18th century, when it served as entertainment for the royal family, and is still very popular today.

In a country where poverty is widespread, cockfighting is seen as a way to make lots of money very quickly. People spend large sums breeding the birds and stand a chance of winning big if their roosters win fights regularly. Often, wealthy men bet cars and houses during cockfights between their roosters.

People gather at a gallodrome with their roosters on weekends and match them up according to size, weight and height. A fight will only take place once both owners have completed the negotiations and agreed to let their roosters engage in a fight. Cockfights can last up to 90 minutes and the first rooster to leave the ring or run away from his opponent loses the fight. 

Men check out the size difference between two roosters at a gallodrome in the city of Antananarivo. Fighting will only take place between two roosters of similar size, weight and height. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
Men check out the size difference between two roosters at a gallodrome in the city of Antananarivo. Fighting will only take place between two roosters of similar size, weight and height. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
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Because of the recent economic stagnation due to political unrest, people view the weekly cockfights as a way of earning extra money. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
Because of the recent economic stagnation due to political unrest, people view the weekly cockfights as a way of earning extra money. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
The birds are naturally aggressive to one another but in the ring this is exaggerated as they have been trained to fight. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
The birds are naturally aggressive to one another but in the ring this is exaggerated as they have been trained to fight. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
It can take anywhere between a few months to a year to have a bird ready for combat. This depends on the owner who will decide when he feels the bird is ready for a competitive fight. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
It can take anywhere between a few months to a year to have a bird ready for combat. This depends on the owner who will decide when he feels the bird is ready for a competitive fight. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
With prices as high as $500 for a bird and $50-$100 per month to maintain the birds in top condition, taking part in the sport costs much more than many Malagasy can afford. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
With prices as high as $500 for a bird and $50-$100 per month to maintain the birds in top condition, taking part in the sport costs much more than many Malagasy can afford. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
People from all walks of life attend the weekly fights. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
People from all walks of life attend the weekly fights. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
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Cockfights can last up to 90 minutes and the first rooster to leave the ring or run away from his opponent loses the fight. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
Cockfights can last up to 90 minutes and the first rooster to leave the ring or run away from his opponent loses the fight. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
The government receives tax money from the total stakes of the fights as well as levying income tax on the owners of the velodromes where the fights take place. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
The government receives tax money from the total stakes of the fights as well as levying income tax on the owners of the velodromes where the fights take place. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
Despite its biological and cultural richness, Madagascar is among the poorest countries in the world. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]
Despite its biological and cultural richness, Madagascar is among the poorest countries in the world. [Ihsaan Haffejee/Al Jazeera]

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