Never MissMardum Tribal Market of Chhattisgarh : Famous for Cockfight
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While on my way to Chitrakoot waterfall from Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), I stayed for a couple of hours in the Mardum tribal market on the second March of 2019. There I absorbed some experiences which I can never forget in my lifetime.
- Though it was a short stopover at Mardum, I absorbed so many new experiences within that short span of time. I saw people taking country made liquor in leaf plates along with fried red ants( locally called Chhapda). Chhapda chutney is a preferred delicacy there. I came to know that these red ants also do have healing properties. If a person having high fever allows these red ants( normally found in mango trees , plentily available there) to crawl all over his/her body in large numbers, the high fever immediately falls down after 10-12 mins.
Image source: Manoj Mishra
- I saw huge heaps of mahua flowers for sale .I came to know from the vendors that around 6 kg of dried mahua flower can be fermented to produce about three litres of country made liquor called ‘Mahula’ which in turn can be sold at a price of rupees 150 to 200 for 650 ml approx.
Image source: Manoj Mishra
- I saw people also consuming a type of small fried fish (locally called sukkshi) along with country made liquor (photo attached).
Image source: Manoj Mishra
Image source : Manoj Mishra
- It was to my utter surprise, the vegetable vendors were not even aware about the use of weighing machines and they were keeping the vegetables in different equal shares. The customers can take any one share and pay the fixed price. Huge heaps of imli( tamarind with and without seeds) was also largely being traded.
Image source: Manoj Mishra
Different traditional waistbands and bangles kept for sale.
Glass bangles kept for sale
- I saw people betting on cocks and afterwards cock fighting was being arranged in a fenced arena among those cocks .
Image source: Manoj Mishra
Small knives are being tied up in the cock’s legs . Win or Die…there is no other way out.
Image source: Manoj Mishra
Cocks are specially reared for cockfights, with blades and cutting edges attached to their legs. The fight normally brings about the demise of one of the birds. Cocks are prepared for fights all year and individuals are putting wagers on any of the birds expected to fight . Cockfights are coordinated during Makar Sankranti especially with every occasion drawing a large number of individuals from the nearby villages.
It is a matter of pity that this present format of the game of cockfighting is a bloodshed one. In this game , cocks fight until the very end, which is unlawful in India in this deadly structure. It was prohibited under ‘The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960’. Resulting decisions by the Supreme Court in 2015 and the Andhra Pradesh high court in 2016 maintained the boycott. In 2018, the Supreme court permitted cockfights however without blades, cutting edges and wagering. However, it is a long way from a withering custom.
When we look for the origin of cockfighting, we find evidence of the same even during Indus valley civilization.
Cockfighting is an old passive activity.
The 2008 version of “Encyclopædia Britannica ” additionally does have a mention in this regard.
The game was well known in antiquated times in India, China, Persia, and other Eastern nations and was brought into Ancient Greece during the rule of Themistocles (c. 524-460 BC).Chickens from the Harappan culture of the Indus Valley (2500-2100 BC) may have been the principal wellspring of dissemination all through the world. Inside the Indus Valley, signs are that chickens were being utilized for sport and not so much for food.
Cockfighting sculpture in Telugu Museum
Image source: Wikimedia commons
When we look for the archaeological or sculptural evidence of the game cockfighting in India in today’s times, we find the above sculpture in Telugu Museum. It is recorded that the outcome of the Battle of Palnadu (1178–1182) was decided by a rooster fight, following which cockfighting gained foothold in Andhra Pradesh. In the present day, cockfighting takes place in several parts of rural India such as Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Karnataka etc.
There lies fundamental texts or several compositions regarding cockfighting.
Those literatures recognise around 50 types of cocks suitable for cockfighting. It endorses the eating regimen for the cocks raised for cockfighting.
Dr. Manoj Mishra
lunarsecstasy@gmail.com
6 Comments
Amazing, I would love to visit here! Awesome vegetables, some really different kinds of foods, like the red ants, I’m a vegetarian, I’m wondering if I would try it, even if I wasn’t a vegetarian, also, about allowing them to crawl over your body to cure fever, I can’t really say at this moment if I could or would do that, but very interesting to know, beautiful clothing and jewelry, cock fighting, I know it’s a very ancient sport, but I think it’s evil, like dog fighting, I know people have there way of thinking and enjoying things, that type of thing would make me ill to watch, I’m a very sensitive person, I love all life, it’s just not my thing, awesome post however!
Thank you my dear friend 💖
Beautiful picture with awesome traditions n stories. Thanks a lot Doctor Saheb. You have an eye for our ancient culture. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and wisdom.
Thank you Sir for your appreciation
Very interesting
Very nice