By Damini Singh
India is a country that plays host to traditions and festivities that have been continuing for a long time. Centuries would be an understatement; some festivals have been celebrated for millennia. With a diversified population calling the country home, different parts of the nation see diverse revelry throughout the year.
The sport of Jallikattu, also known as sallikkattu, is a tradition of worshipping cattle stock. It takes places in many parts of Tamil Nadu, as a part of Pongal celebrations, on Mattu Pongal (third day of the four-day long festival). The festivity involves the release of a bull into a crowd of people, while they try to grab the hump on the bulls back and hold on to it with both arms, attempting to claim the bag of coins tied to it, and the bull tries to escape.
History and myths surrounding the sport
An analysis of most of the ancient texts, cave paintings and other artefact reveals Jallikattu to have been a common practice in the Tamil classical area, from 400 BC to 100 BC. The event was frequently held in the Aayar villages, an ancient community of people and habitants of the Mullai. Other artefacts that point towards the origins of this game are a seal from the Indus Valley Civilisation that has a still from the game engraved, as well as an approximately 1500-year old cave painting which was found near Madurai.
The rules and methods of playing of this game were a little different in the earlier days of its inception. During the rule of Nayak kings, according to local folklore, a big arena, which was usually the largest available land in the village, was allocated for this sport. Gold coins were wrapped up in a piece of cloth and tied to the bulls horns, and the animals were then released into a crowd. The bulls, naturally excited on seeing the response of those trying to catch them, would lower their heads and charge. The participants, in the midst of all this, would try to grab hold of the bull, attempting to tame it, untie the knot and win the prize. However, they would often get tossed aside by the bulls horns, injured, sometimes fatally wounded. Thus, the winners were revered and praised, since they were the survivors, with reflexes quick enough to tame the beast.
Jallikattu itself is written about or referenced to in many works from the Tamil Sangam era. One such work is AK Ramanujans Poems of Love and War. It describes Jallikattu as essentially a mating ritual. The author of the poem, Uruttiran, seems to suggest that sexual selection was often a factor. There, in the middle ground, where the brides wait, men gather again and again ready to master the bulls. The men who were bold enough to enter the sporting arena and participate were later on seen as highly valued suitors. That bull is wilder than an elephant gone wild. Do not loosen your hands grip on him, and the shoulders of our girl will bring you victory flags.
Jalikattu in contemporary times
Jallikattu is not only different from the original sport incepted by the ancient Tamilians, it is also widespread in the state of Tamil Nadu, and not just limited to a particular region or sub-region. There are many variations of the sport that are played throughout the state, barring the Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. The festivities in the northern parts of the state involve different forms, which essentially involve bulls, and fall within the broad definition of Jallikattu. Similarly, in the western region, a variation of the sport involves bullock-race, or rekhla-race.
The modern-day version of Jallikattu is different from the one practised in the olden days, the most glaring point being the number of people participating at a single time. Earlier, the fight was one on one, as opposed to the free for all version practised today. Another difference was the custom that led to the hosting of this event. According to some accounts, whenever there was a female child born into the family, the father bought a cow as well as a male calf, which was nurtured and trained into a ferocious bull. The suitor of the daughter was the winner of the event; whoever successfully tamed the bull was declared the would-be groom. However, in todays times, it is merely held as a long standing tradition, and as part of Pongal festivities.
Sentiments and dangers involved
Bulls are known to be strong and ferocious animals, especially when provoked. A sport like Jallikattu, which involves the release of the animal into a crowd full of people intending to climb on top of it and tame it, while pulling at its tail, legs, hump and horns, is not only perilous for the beast, it also proves fatal for the participants. Just like the Spanish bull racing, this sport has also raised concerns for the welfare of the animal and all those who are present, even the spectators and by-standees.
Animal welfare organisations are largely concerned about the treatment of the bull before and during the preparation of the celebratory event, as well as during the participants attempts at subduing the bull. According to reports, before the bull is released, it is prodded with sticks and other sharp objects in an effort to agitate it. Some accounts even say that the bull is forced to consume alcohol and has chilli rubbed on its eyes, all in attempts to disorient and excite it. During the taming, bending of the tail can lead to spinal and vertebral injuries. Some participants have even been known to bite the tail, punch it, jump on it, sometimes even drag it; all in desperate attempts to calm the bull down, which naturally has the opposite effect. Other than mistreatment at the hands of the players, the bull is at risk of running into traffic, railway lines and other dangerous places, which result in broken bones, fatal injuries and sometimes, even death.
Efforts towards banning the sport
In recent years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the sport. PETA India, the world-renowned animal welfare organisations Indian branch, as well as the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations (FIAPO) have protested against the sport. However, they have faced immense backlash, as well as personal jabs, from thousands of Tamilians, both living in the state and overseas.
The Animal Welfare Board of India filed a case in the Supreme Court of India. Their petition requested for a complete ban on the sport, due to the dangers involved, mistreatment of the animals as well as threats to both animal and human lives. Even after the ban, however, state-enforced acts in Tamil Nadu, as well as the Ministry of Environment and Forests, tried to revive the sport, implementing a monetary compensation to be paid to organise it. The Supreme Court struck down this order, re-establishing the ban and issuing an order stating that any flouting of the ban would result in penalties for cruelty to animals under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960.
This order also sparked protests all over the state. Thousands of people gathered on 8 January 2017 to organise a rally claiming to protect their culture, at the Marina beach in Chennai, resulting in the Supreme Court delaying its decision in an attempt to pacify the protestors and prevent further unrest. As of now, the legal situation is unclear, and due to this ambiguity, people are continuing to play this dangerous sport.
The need for a re-think
Traditions are an integral part of the identity and culture of a sect of people. However, customs need to change dynamically, adjusting to the times and the contemporary world. However, this sport has always involved dangers and has caused fatalities to both beast and man. For instance, in the most recent Pongal celebrations, a 19-year-old spectator was gored to death, and 28 were injured. It is indeed bizarre that people accept these injuries as part and parcel of their traditions. Writer Daniel Grushkin, in a post for the NY Times, wrote: “‘Relatives of mine have been killed or hurt, but we take it positively, even happily,’ Mr Ramamoorthy said. ‘Its our tradition its in our blood.’ This conflict of tradition and common sense will carry on as long as people are sentimental and take pride in archaic practices, irrespective of their impracticalities. However, it is truly remarkable that this sport has lasted for 2000+ years, and shows signs of continuing even further.
Featured Image Source: Manu Manohar Photography on VisualHunt.com / CC BY