When “Duke’s wrestling” begins in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the noise rises immediately, and shouts: “Hit!”, And “Kill!” Between the spectators, while two birds rush to each other, and feathers and blood fly in the air.
This centuries -long bloody sport, which was previously a common winter hobby, is practicing today throughout the year in the capital, paid; Not only by tradition; Also, with poverty, unemployment and despair, according to a report by the American Associated Press, on Monday.
Created in secret
Although the “Taliban” movement has banned the “wrestling of the roosters” since its seizure of the referee in August 2021, these matches are still in secret; Where men gather in temporary tents, gardens or back alleys, carrying money with their roosters, as if they were preparing for sports competition, and they cool birds using scarves; Rather, they sprinkle the water on them with their mouths to revive them, tie the legs of the birds, sharpen the beaks, and sometimes it is given steroids to enhance their ability to fight.
The battles may continue for several rounds, interspersed with rest periods for cleaning wounds and arranging feathers, and winning when one of the roosters is unable to continue fighting.
Sometimes, violence extends out of the ring; Differences on the bets lead to physical clashes, and the elderly, known as the “white beards”, interferes to resolve conflicts and calm the atmosphere before the next round.
A source of livelihood and gambling
“Duke’s wrestling” in a cable is not just a game, it is a source of livelihood and gambling, and many have an unparalleled obsession, as these bets can lead to the bankruptcy of families or turn them into sudden wealth.
Muhammad, 63, who is a veteran in this hobby, has witnessed for decades how the roosters changed the lives of people upside down, and he remembers the incident in which a man and his two sons were killed in a tragic battle.
He says that poor men bought homes with their profits from this hobby, while other rich men lost everything they have.
A brutal way to escape
Some of the owners treat their cocks better than their family members; They spend food money on special feed and medicines, call them warrior names, and talk about them with deep affection.
Despite the bloodshed and the illegality of this practice, it is still continuing. In a city dominated by conflicts, the “wrestling of the roosters” remains a brutal means of escaping, and a form of control and pride.
