Sabung Ayam, more widely known as cockfighting, is a traditional sport with a longstanding tradition across Asia, particularly in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand.
The sport involves two specially trained roosters placed in an enclosed ring to fight, equipped with sharp blades or metal spurs. A match continues until one rooster is declared the winner, making it both a contest of strength and survival.
Aside from being a form of entertainment, sabung ayam has long carried cultural and ritualistic meaning. In Bali, for example, cockfighting is tied to Hindu religious ceremonies, where it is viewed as a spiritual act that symbolizes community ties and offerings to the gods.
Matches attract large crowds, sometimes numbering in the thousands, and in countries like the Philippines, cockfighting generates billions of dollars annually.
In recent years, the sport has expanded beyond local arenas into the digital world through online sabung ayam platforms, where global audiences can watch live matches and even place bets.
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History Of Sabung Ayam
Sabung Ayam, or cockfighting, is an ancient tradition with a history stretching back more than 3,000 years. Across early civilizations, the rooster was often seen as more than just a farm animal; it carried spiritual and symbolic meaning.
Ancient Syrians worshipped the fighting cock as a deity, while the Greeks and Romans linked roosters to gods like Apollo and Mars, who are symbols of bravery and war.
In Sumatra and Borneo, gamecocks were honored with rituals and even temples. Cockfighting also became a general form of entertainment and gambling in ancient cultures such as the Phoenicians, Hebrews, and Egyptians.
Through trade and conquest, the practice spread across regions, reaching Greece, Rome, and eventually Europe. By the 16th century, it was so popular in England that King Henry VIII declared it a national pastime.
Even famous leaders admired it—Julius Caesar, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln were known enthusiasts of cockfighting. In Southeast Asia, the tradition took on cultural meaning.
In Bali, sabung ayam remains tied to religious ceremonies known as tabuh rah, where the blood of the losing rooster is offered in purification rituals to ward off evil spirits.
The renowned anthropologist Clifford Geertz later studied these practices, describing cockfighting as a symbolic reflection of Balinese social life and identity.
Sabung Ayam In Different Asian Countries
Sabung Ayam, or cockfighting, is practiced across Asia, with each country adding its own customs and meaning to the tradition. In Indonesia, particularly Bali, cockfighting is known as tajen and is tied closely to religious life.
During the tabuh rah purification ceremony, the blood of the losing rooster is offered to evil spirits, a ritual believed to restore spiritual balance. These events are an essential part of temple festivals. Outside Bali, however, cockfighting is more often linked to gambling than ritual.
In the Philippines, cockfighting, called sabong, dates back to pre-colonial times and was even documented by explorer Antonio Pigafetta. Yet, it is one of the country’s most popular pastimes, with legal fights held in licensed arenas every week.
As we’ve said, roosters are equipped with sharp blades known as gaffs, making the matches fast and intense. The Philippines also hosts global tournaments such as the World Slasher Cup, attracting international participants.
More recently, online platforms known as e-sabong have expanded the sport’s reach, allowing people to watch and bet remotely. In Thailand, cockfighting continues as a cultural pastime, held in rural villages and during festivals.
Roosters are carefully raised and trained, sometimes becoming valuable community symbols. Other countries have their own histories: in Japan, cockfighting was introduced from China and thrived during past eras, while in Iraq, it remains popular underground despite legal restrictions.
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How Technology Is Changing Sabung Ayam?
Technology has transformed sabung ayam, taking this centuries-old tradition from village arenas into the digital world. Online platforms such as SV388 now stream cockfighting matches live, 24 hours a day, making it possible for fans to watch from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
These platforms also allow remote betting, opening access to global audiences far beyond local communities. Modern features such as secure logins, in-play betting, and live chat support make the experience more interactive and user-friendly.
Some platforms even use real-time data and algorithms to give bettors insights into performance. To improve convenience, apps like SV388 APK help users to skip browsers entirely and access matches directly from their devices.
However, while technology expands accessibility, it also raises serious legal and ethical questions. Online cockfighting platforms operate across borders, but gambling and animal welfare laws vary between countries. What may be legal in one region can be banned in another.
Legal Status Of Sabung Ayam
The legal status of Sabung Ayam (cockfighting) is different around the world. In Indonesia, all gambling activities, including cockfighting-related betting, were outlawed in 1981.
Yet, cockfighting as a Balinese religious ritual is still permitted. While secular cockfighting continues in rural communities, it is technically illegal under national law.
The Philippines takes a more regulated approach. Cockfighting is legal but strictly controlled. Matches can only happen in licensed cockpits and on designated days. A nationwide ban applies on Rizal Day (December 30) out of respect for the national hero.
Recently, online cockfighting (e-sabong) gained popularity, but it has faced government restrictions and even temporary bans due to concerns over gambling addiction and social impacts.
In India, cockfighting is prohibited under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act. Despite this, it still takes place during festivals in some rural regions.
Elsewhere, countries like Thailand and parts of Latin America permit cockfighting under cultural or regulated frameworks. Most Western nations and Europe classify it strictly as animal cruelty and enforce outright bans.
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FAQs About Sabung Ayam (Cockfighting)
Is Sabung Ayam legal in Indonesia?
No. Since 1981, all gambling activities, including betting on cockfights, have been illegal in Indonesia. However, in Bali, cockfighting is still allowed as part of cultural and religious ceremonies, though gambling remains prohibited.
Can You Legally Watch Or Bet On Cockfighting In The Philippines?
Yes, but only under strict regulations. Cockfighting is legal in licensed cockpits and on designated days. Betting is allowed inside these venues, though online cockfighting (e-sabong) has faced government restrictions in recent years.
What Countries Still Allow Cockfighting Today?
Cockfighting is legal or semi-legal in parts of Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia (Bali rituals), and several Latin American countries, where it is seen as a cultural tradition. However, most Western nations and Europe classify it as animal cruelty and ban it entirely.