Evidence of cockfighting
is found among the earliest records of civilization. Although
the first record of the sport in
China occurs in 517 B.C., it is thought to have occurred
well before that date. Finsterbusch in his book "Cockfighting
all over the World" states that written records over
3,000 years ago make mention of cockfights. Believed by many
to be
one of earliest forms of sport, cockfighting is also thought
to be one of the most universal. It has an extensive history
in ancient Persia, India, south east Asia, Europe, and the
Americas. Cockfighting has been documented in nearly every
country, differing only in the rules employed in the contest
and the physical attributes of the cocks that are selectively
bred for this purpose.
The assumption that gamefowl (a distinct
strain of Gallus
domesticus, otherwise known as the domestic chicken)
were developed from four species of
wild Jungle-fowl found in India and southeast Asia is
based on their strikingly similar appearance and behavior.
In
their native setting, male Jungle-fowl are strongly territorial
and fight, often to the death, to claim breeding rights.
It has been theorized that this natural selection process
fascinated early man who then proceeded to domesticate
the
Jungle-fowl and selectively breed for the qualities that
define the modern Gamecock. Not surprisingly, cockfighting
is still popular in India and southeast Asia.
Sabong
Press USA (2003) Introduction to the Sport: "Cocking
in the Philippines" Available:
http://www.sabongpress.com (Published 2003; accessed 14 Apr
2006) |
