Candra Malik

The fighting rams are a source of wealth and pride for their owners. (Photo: Candra Malik, JG)

Indonesian Fighting Rams Lock Horns Over Honor

The day is still young when hundreds of people begin gathering in a field in the middle of Sindangsari village in Sumedang district, West Java. Amid the fog descending from Mount Geulis and a light rain, dozens of men lead Garut sheep to the edge of the field and tie them to a post.

But these aren’t just any sheep. They are Garut fighting rams and can fetch a price of Rp 3 million to Rp 90 million ($315 to $9,450) depending on their performance in the arena.

Every other Sunday, ram owners, spectators, gamblers and sheep buyers from around this region of West Java come to the field to watch the rams do battle, traversing the winding, hilly road to the village on horses rented locally or on foot, some coming by 4-wheel-drive station wagons from Bandung, about 30 kilometers away.

Eman Hidayat, chief of Sindangsari, said the sheep fights, which are a continuation of a tradition that is hundreds of years old, are a major source of income for the villagers.

“Many villagers have built simple lodgings or restaurants to serve people coming to the fights, and more raise Garut sheep because its a more promising investment than agriculture,” he said. A villager can raise as many as 20 sheep at a time, selling them for much more than regular sheep, which sell for Rp 350,000 to Rp 1 million.

The fighting rams are also symbols of family honor, and each win in the fighting arena can raise the price of a Garut ram until it is worth more than a plot of land, a cow or even a house.

“In Central Java, a man must have a kris blade and a turtledove as a symbol of wealth, while in West Java, particularly in Sumedang, a Sundanese man must own a cleaver and a Garut ram. They are the traditional symbols of honor,” said Toha Suryadi, head of the Sindangsari Sheep Association.

In Sindangsari, which has a population of about 5,600, children are trained to raise Garut sheep from a young age, feeding them a diet of grass, free-range chicken eggs and honey.

“I have taken care of Garut sheep since I was 5 years old,” Tatang Sombali said, adding that the sheep were treated like the owner’s soul partner. Their coats are brushed daily and each morning the sheep are taken for a walk about the village so they will be strong and won’t suffer stress from being penned all the time.

Owners also make special leather collars to identify each sheep’s strengths, he said. The collars are fitted with small bells and beads for decoration and are also used to control the fighting rams, which can be very strong.

“Not even a 15-year-old teenager can really handle a running Garut sheep, let alone a child. You must hold on tight to the bridle, as the sheep is as strong as a hunting dog,” Tatang said.

On the day of a match, the sheep are herded into the arena. Once match-ups are decided, their bridles and collars are removed. When confronted by an opposing sheep in the arena, the rams back up to create space between them of around 10 meters before rushing forward and butting heads. A competition lasts for 25 charges, and the loser is whichever ram falls or turns away first.

If after 25 charges neither ram has fallen or run away, the winner is determined by a panel of judges.

Adang Yakub Subandi, referee for the sheep contests, said there are three classes of fighting ram: those aged 1 to 1.5 years and weighing 15 to 18 kilograms, 1.5 to 2 years at 18 to 20 kg, and 2- to 3-year-olds at 20 to 30 kg.

“Actually weight is not the main measurement, more or less is acceptable,” he said. “The most important [factor] is the age, as age is related to fighting spirit.”

During each fight, a ram’s handler may request up to three time-outs to massage the sheep, patch wounds or simply encourage their fighters.

“Neck nerves must be massaged as the butting is very hard,” said Bardin Sutisna, a handler. “For a good starting position, the sheep’s legs must be spread apart or stretched during time-out.”

A jockey will usually call for a time-out if he sees his sheep stumble, appear frightened or not strong as normal. But if a ram turns and runs, nothing can be done.

“The owner is shamed and his reputation tarnished. The sheep will be butchered immediately once home,” Bardin said.

For Sindangsari villagers, Garut sheep are a symbol of honor and an investment. It can cost Rp 200,000 per month to feed the animals on honey and eggs so, if an owner has 10 sheep, the cost will be Rp 2 million per month.

“For village people like us, it is quite a hefty sum, as we also have to pay our cost of living, our children’s schooling and farming costs,” said Asep Uus Ruspandi, head of Sukasari subdistrict, where the village is located.

Beside raising Garut sheep, the villagers also grow rice, coffee and vegetables, including corn, chillies, carrots and cabbages. As these only bring in money during the harvest season, many villagers rely on the sheep for their main income.

“Regardless, we are still unable to leave our fields,” Asep said.

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