Seattle Editorial Photographer Daniel Sheehan

People Land Music Homes Reportage/Afghanistan 1988 Reportage/WTC Bombing 1993 Reportage/Bali Cockfight Reportage/Ethiopian Famine Reportage/Tbilisi 1991/92 About Cockfighting, on temple grounds at a religious festival in Peliatan, Bali, is an ancient Balinese tradition, and is still popular among the Balinese people. Women sell snacks outside the cockfighting ring in Peliatan, Bali. The fights are part of the Bali Hindu religion where certain ceremonies require a blood sacrifice. A group of villagers watch inside the cockfighting ring in Peliatan, Bali. Participants prepare their roosters by straping on the Taji, a razor sharp steel blade, before a fight in the cockfighting ring in Peliatan, Bali. A participant antagonises his bird before the fight to get him excited. A participant antagonises his bird before the fight to get him excited. Onlookers survey the scene, some looking to make a bet. The guy taking money for bets on the match checks with the participants. Then the guy taking money for bets on the match calls out for a final round of bets on the match. The Taji, the razor sharp steel blades, are visible on both birds. An integral part of the ritual cockfighting is the dialogue between the two participants before the start of the fight. A participant holds his bird before the start of the fight. A participant holds his bird and looks into his eyes.before the start of the fight. A bettor holds out his bet before a match. Other bettors also try to get in a bet before the match. Two villagers brought their birds for a fight and they watch with their birds in baskets in front of them in the ring. Onlookers wait for the fight to begin. The cockfighting match begins. The two birds face off. One bird makes a move. They quickly engage. The match is over in seconds, with the loser headed for the cooking pot.