During the Makar festival in Jajpur, age-old bulbul bird fights were arranged with much enthusiasm by the villagers, despite opposition from the wildlife activists.
Villagers gathered at the Baruneswar temple in Arei village in the district with over 400 bulbul birds to participate in the bird fight competitions during the two-day Makar festival on Sunday and Monday last.
The birds, which were trained and given special diets to make them fit for the fights by their owners, were coaxed to swoop down on their opponents and emerge successful. The proud owners of the victor birds got appreciation, trophy and cash prize of `3,000.
“We make a concoction containing bananas, a small quantity of marijuana, locally available intoxicating herbs, some black pepper, clove and cinnamon, and feed the bird regularly to make it strong and sharp for the fight,” Tapan Pani, a local villager, said.
legs tied with a string, the inebriated birds start fighting with each other aggressively, surrounded by clapping crowds who gather in large numbers at the temple ground.
“It is part of our long tradition and people from far and wide come here during the Makar festival to witness the annual bird fight,” Tutumoni Das, a college student, said.
Once the fight is over, the locals set all the birds free. “We treat the birds very humanely during the entire period and once the event is over, we release them, said Nripen Sahoo.
Social activist Dr Manzoor Ali said, “The bird fights are arranged as part of a long continuing tradition here. Some wildlife activists are against it, but there is no point in stopping the 4,000 years old practice. It does not involve any cruelty against the fowls.”