This breed is also known as Pulikulam or Jallikattu breed. They are also known as Kilakad or Kilkattu. This breed is found in Madurai, Sivaganaga, Virudhunagar and Theni district. Large numbers of this breed were also raised in the vicinity of the Cumbum valley and the Periar River, were grazing areas of vast extent. There was a big breeder living near Madurai at Cholavandanniya (now known as Cholavandan) by the name Iyyengottai Mamzakkarar who owned 1000 heads of cattle and who also exhibited some at the Madura cattle show held 1907. The breed was very compact with stout legs and hard feet.
They have very powerful loins, shoulders, neck and capable of doing very hard work. This breed of cattle is comparatively small in size, but is very active and capable of much endurance. In the villages of South Madurai the small bulls were kept for the purpose of bull fighting or rather bull baiting and were known as “Jellicut” which means an ornament or leaves from the fact that the horns of the bulls or decorated with a vividly coloured cloth. In many points they resemble the smaller variety of the Konga or Kangayam but they are finer breed and give the idea that they have in them probably a strain of the Mysore blood. The larger variety of this breed was extensively used for coach work and they were capable of trotting continuously 5 to 6 miles an hour. Cows are poor milkers.
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Jallikattu Bull Baiting
Every year, at the harvest celebration, over 100,000 Indians in Tamil Nadu state participate in the Jallikattu, the Indian version of the corrida. Over 200 bulls are released gradually into a crowd anxious to prove its manhood. Apparently, the rules are easy: wins the one able to stay on the back of the bull or hang from its horns for more than 50 meters. In 2006: 5 casualties and over 300 severely injured participants.
Every year, at the harvest celebration, over 100,000 Indians in Tamil Nadu state participate in the Jallikattu, the Indian version of the corrida. Over 200 bulls are released gradually into a crowd anxious to prove its manhood. Apparently, the rules are easy: wins the one able to stay on the back of the bull or hang from its horns for more than 50 meters. On top of a bamboo observation point, an announcer, who is also a referee, comments on any movement the bull makes in the crowd. The show, that lasts for about 10 hours, builds on intensity as time goes by.
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| Jallikattu Bull Baiting |
The bulls are released gradually, sometimes more at one time. They are heavier than the European bulls, their horns are sharpened especially for this day and have been served some alcohol beforehand, to be more excited. Unlike at the Spanish corrida, these bulls don't end up dead at the end and neither too mistreated. As soon as the bull is released, its owner runs after him, generously slapping the participants who have been violent with the bull, especially if it is a small animal. Animal protection association lobby every year to forbid this type of entertainment, but it seems that the Indians are the ones suffering here: in 2006, there were 5 casualties and over 300 severely injured participants. At the end of the track, an ambulance waiting to be stuffed with injured people would leave regularly for nearest clinic. The bulls chaotic raids in the crowd make most of the victims to be by-standers. Usually, the participants are bull owners and they know how to protect themselves.
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| Jallikattu Bull Baiting |
Even if the awards are just caps, pots or some tin cupboards and the winners look ecstatic to receive them, it is not just about that. Is a sport to prove your manhood and bachelors get extra points in their race to marriage. For a while, they will be looked up as great public figures and their villages will talk about them for at least a few months after the contest.
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