Cock Fighting in Bali


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Posted by Barong Naga on Wednesday, 31. March 2004 at 19:37 Bali Time:

Some will be happy, and some will be sad, but the long standing tradition of cock fighting on Bali is on the way out. Recently appointed Bali Chief of Police, General Pastika, who is a Balinese, has vowed to eradicate this long time tradition.

Always deemed illegal, for many years cock fighting has been cloaked under the mantel of temple ceremonies. Gambling in any form is illegal in Indonesia. Wisely consulting the top Hindu priests, Pastika affirms that there is no basis within the Balinese Hindu religious rites that calls for cock fighting or any other form of gambling during any ceremonies.

Within the last weeks, numerous arrests have been made, and numerous cock fighting events abruptly ended by police intervention. Gambling is seen as a social hazard, accountable for many families ending up in poverty, their land sold, with virtually nothing of value left.





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