Cockfighting in Guadeloupe

Guadeloupe’s hybrid inhabitants have created a Creole culture ranging from rum to carnivals and cockfights. Cockfighting forms an integral part of the traditions of Guadeloupe.

Introduced in the West Indies by the Spanish conquistadores, cockfightings continue to be an extremely interesting form of sport, activity and a form of gambling in Guadeloupe. They are usually held from November to July in pits (the word, of Irish origin, indicates the arenas). Betting on cocks and cockfights is a favourite indulgence with tourists. The meetings generally take place on Saturday afternoons and Sundays.

The trainers are very well-paid to look after these cocks because betting and gambling usually involves huge amounts of money. Each cock has its pedigree and can be worth up to eight thousand francs. It is massaged, trained and fed with mash rich in proteins and is then it is put in the arena to fight. The winner is proclaimed champion and its market value dramatically increases. These cockfights are so fierce that sometimes the cocks die during the duel.