I met two men yesterday. Within 5 minutes of being introduced to me they’d got out their cocks and were proudly showing them off . Anywhere else in the world this might seem rather forward but this is Bali and on Bali things are done a little differently.
I was delighted to see their cocks but also a little nervous as to what they planned to do with them. This is after all cockfighting country. As it happened the cocks had been brought out for grooming and to get some sunshine. As these two handsome fowl were introduced, I could see that feathers might fly if they were allowed to fight.
The tradition of cockfighting in Bali goes back hundreds of years. When I was doing my research for this post, I found this link.
http://webhome.idirect.com/~boweevil/baliwasantara.html
If you are interested in learning more about the significance of cockfighting in Bali I recommend that you read it. I know that there will be some of you reading this who will find the whole notion of cockfighting totally unacceptable and I understand. It’s not something that rests easy with me either. However, it is not for me to pass judgement or wag fingers. I write and photograph what I see and as cockfighting is part and parcel of Balinese life then it has a much a place on this blog as all the other things that I write about and visually catalogue.
Lottie Nevin - The Red House Diaries 
The opening paragraph draws you right in. I cracked up 🙂
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Likikian, I’m glad I made you laugh! Thanks for your comment, you made me smile 😀
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You’re welcome, I’m glad I made you smile! 🙂
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Oh how they do love and take pride in their cocks….and have you noticed how those dangling cigarettes are always at hand – and in mouth – as well?!
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Always the rokok with the cock! I almost called this post Cocks & Rokoks but I thought it might get lost in translation 😉
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Ha! But I’ve yet to see a cock yang merokok 😉
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I’m sure it won’t be long!
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The relationship between a man and his cock is a wonder to behold. They can earn a lot of money with a good one so the care and nurturing of such a prize is taken very seriously.
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Indeed they are. I don’t know if you had a chance to read the link that I put up but it’s worth a look 😀
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The title ,i just had to read it,then the first paragraph i was hooked,excellent piece
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Thank you Aerobabe, I’m glad I managed to hook you with the title then reel you in!! Thanks for your comment and great to hear from you 😀
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That reminds me of Clifford geertz and his analysis of culture!
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That’s praise indeed. Thank you 😀
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Handsome cocks indeed. As barbaric as the fighting practice seems to outsiders, it’s nice to see this display of welfare.
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The Balinese men really do love their cockerels. Wayan my housekeeper, always says that her husband loves his cockerels more than he loves her. I’m not sure that’s strictly true but he does spend a lot of time with them!
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The effect you have on men Lottie – I’m not surprised to read this at all!
Classic post. (I don’t know if there’s an award for that)
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Thank you Chas! Maybe there could be something called The Best Cock Award? 😉
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I don’t know if that’s going to contravene the WordPress regulations or just generally upset the fraternity? I can see us getting kicked out like naughty girls smoking at the back of the bus. ;>
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hahaha!! I’m now beginning to wonder how much spam I’m going to be getting too! maybe my play on words wasn’t such a bright idea. Ever since my post Ratus Vagina i’ve been deluged with spam and the oddest hits from google – unprintable but very amusing to see come up in the google search engine! 😀
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oh yes – there is that curly problem …
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Very titillating writing, Lottie. When I saw the title I thought you had been back to the beach with a braver camera. 🙂
BTW, I have learned to pretty much not use that three letter word for the feminine chest, but it seemed appropriate here.
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Excellent choice of word Steve! I’m afraid this blog comes up in many google searches for all the wrong reasons, there must be a lot of disappointed men out there!!! hehehehe! 😀
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Sounds like the workings of a devious blogger. 🙂
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Me? Devious? Good heavens Mr Gingold what are you suggesting 😉
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Oh my gosh. I don’t know what got into me. Must be the late hour I am keeping. 🙂
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On my first ever trip to Bali I found postcards bearing the description ‘old man petting his cock’ (I think without a hint of irony). I promptly sent one to everyone I knew at home. A trifle juvenile I know but it’s the level I work at.
Great pics!
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Finally getting around to reading this post that has/had your readers quite amused. The titile of course is too funny. Yes, the roosters are pretty. Such a shame how mankind continues to use animals for entertainment. The fighting of roosters, bulls, and dogs. Then there is greyhound racing and yes, I put horse racing in this same category. Here is the states once in a while the law steps in and makes arrests of cock and dog fighting rings.
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OMG. YOU are hilarious! My first thought when I read the title was, holy crap! Instead of just one naked man on the beach there are now two!
As you can imagine, cock fighting (or any sort of fighting for that matter) doesn’t sit well with me, either. However, I do very much appreciate your true journalistic attitude.
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