KOLI ANKA (Cock Fights)
Koli anka (kOLi anka) (Cock
fights) (ಕೋಳಿ
ಅಂಕ) is a popular pastime
in coastal Karnataka and its neighboring regions, even though it is a world
wide phenomenon. This is one of the distinctive features of Tulu culture. This
has been practiced from ancient times. Both the oral tradition as well as the
written texts contains references to cock fights. Two cocks, with sharp knives
tied to their feet are made to engage themselves in a fatal combat. It is both
a re creative activity as also an opportunity for gambling by betting on the
winning cock. Many aspects of this activity have developed in a scientific
craft over a period of time dating back to centuries.
The fighting cocks are
classified in to various categories based on their colour and shape. Even the
crowns on their heads are designated by different names. boLLe, karboLLe,
kempe, manjale are some of them. Big and valiant ‘Fighter Cocks’ are imported
from far off places such as Salem, Hyderabad and Cochin.
The knives (bALu) are about
one and a half to four inches long and quarter of an inch wide. They are thick
at the centre and sharpened at both sides. These are classified according to
the shape of the pointed end. The two major categories of these knives are
‘baDekkAyi bAL’. (Northern variety) and ‘teNkkayi bAL’ (Southern variety). The
knives are tied to the little finger of the right foot and the right knee with
the help of a thread.
‘kaLa’ is the arena where the
fights take place. Cocks are matched with one another, paying close attention
to their size, height and colour. In some regions, the cocks are masked in a
piece of cloth till the fight commences. Usually the fights commence in the
afternoon and go on well in to the night.
The cocks are held in close
proximity to one another by experts. They peck at one another. They are put
down and the fight commences. It lasts till one of them is fatally injured.
Injuries are medicated on the spot. Open wounds are sewn-up. Cocks are
revitalized by glucose and sugar-water. A cock that flees the arena or dies of
its injuries is deemed to be defeated. Its carcass is given to the owner of the
victorious cock. Dead cocks are exchanged if both of them succumb to the
injuries. In that contingency the fight is deemed to be drawn.
In ‘sAlu kOLi’, all the cocks
are divided in to two groups and fifty to hundred pairs are made to fight to
simultaneously.
For gambling purposes, the
cocks are divided in to groups of two or three. The victorious one has to
defeat the other two. The amount involved in bets in a single fight is in the
range of Rs. 1000 to Rs 50,000. These are bet on each cock. Winnings are
distributed among the successful betters. Winning cocks are given handsome
prizes.
Usually, Cock-fights are
organised after or before the annual festival of the village deity. These are
called ‘jAtreya anka’. They are held continuously for a period ranging from one
day to a week. Regular fights are held in places called ‘kuDi kaLa’ on an
appointed day every week. This is also called ‘nitya anka’. The fights between
two clans or individuals are known as ‘savAlina anka’. These develop in to
rivalries between the clans and ego clashes are very frequent. There are
almanacs delineating the intricacies of these cock fights. (kukkuTa panchAnga)
Tumbe, kankanADi, muDipu,
suLLiya and hebri in