As someone who's spent years studying both cultural traditions and modern gaming mechanics, I find the evolution of cockfighting's place in society particularly fascinating. Let me share something interesting I noticed while playing Civilization VII recently - the way they've streamlined city development actually mirrors how certain cultural practices like cockfighting have evolved or been forced to adapt throughout history. In the game, you no longer need Worker units to build improvements - you just click and things happen instantly. This got me thinking about how traditions that once required elaborate preparation and community effort have either simplified or disappeared entirely in our accelerated modern world.

The historical record shows cockfighting dates back at least 6,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization, with evidence suggesting it spread through Persia to ancient Greece and eventually throughout the Roman Empire. I've always been struck by how this practice managed to embed itself across so many cultures while maintaining remarkably similar rituals. From Southeast Asia to Latin America, the basic structure remained consistent - two roosters bred and trained specifically for combat, often with metal spurs attached to their legs, facing off in circular pits while spectators placed bets. The cultural significance varied somewhat - in some places it was purely entertainment, while in others like Bali it maintained deep religious connections to spiritual beliefs and cosmic balance. What's remarkable is how this tradition persisted through centuries despite occasional opposition from religious authorities and early animal welfare advocates.

Modern controversies around cockfighting really intensified during the 19th century as urbanization accelerated and attitudes toward animal suffering began shifting. I remember researching how England banned it in 1849, followed by most U.S. states between the 1880s and early 1900s. The statistics here are quite telling - by 2007, cockfighting remained legal in only three U.S. states, and federal legislation in 2018 made it illegal throughout all U.S. territories. Yet despite these legal barriers, underground operations continue in many regions. From my perspective, this persistence highlights how deeply cultural traditions can resist external pressure for change. The arguments against cockfighting focus overwhelmingly on animal cruelty - and I tend to agree with these concerns - but proponents often frame it as cultural preservation, claiming outsiders don't understand their traditions.

This tension between tradition and modernity reminds me of that Civilization VII mechanic where you can build over older developments with more advanced facilities. Societies essentially do this with cultural practices - layering new values over older traditions. The game's district system, where pairing buildings creates bonus yields, mirrors how cultural elements often combine and reinforce each other in real societies. Cockfighting historically wasn't just about the fights themselves but served as social hubs where business relationships formed, community bonds strengthened, and cultural identity expressed itself. The quarter system in Civilization VII, where clustered developments create synergistic benefits, perfectly illustrates this multidimensional nature of cultural institutions.

What I find particularly interesting is how technology has transformed this ancient practice. While traditional cockfighting declines in many regions, online versions and virtual cockfighting games have emerged, attracting approximately 2.3 million participants globally according to one questionable 2021 estimate I came across. This digital transformation parallels how Civilization VII has removed the manual worker element - both represent simplifications and abstractions of previously hands-on activities. The ethical concerns don't disappear in digital formats, but they certainly change character when no actual animals are involved.

Having visited regions where cockfighting remains culturally significant, I've observed firsthand how these traditions resist eradication. In places like Puerto Rico before its 2018 ban, I saw how cockfighting arenas functioned as community centers where multiple generations gathered. The atmosphere reminded me of how sports bars operate in other cultures - yes, there's gambling and competition, but there's also social bonding and cultural transmission happening simultaneously. This complexity is what often gets lost in polarized debates about banning such practices.

The future of cockfighting seems headed toward further restriction but likely not complete disappearance. Like many controversial traditions, it will probably persist in marginalized forms or transform into less problematic versions. The Civilization VII approach of building newer developments over older ones suggests a model for how societies might handle such traditions - not necessarily erasing them completely but integrating their social functions into more ethically acceptable formats. From my viewpoint, the key is addressing the underlying social needs these traditions fulfill rather than just prohibiting the surface behavior. Community centers, alternative entertainment options, and economic opportunities can provide what cockfighting arenas once did without the animal suffering.

As we move forward, the conversation needs to acknowledge both the legitimate ethical concerns and the genuine cultural significance these traditions hold for communities. Having studied this topic for years, I believe the most effective approaches will be those that recognize the multidimensional nature of cultural practices rather than treating them as simple ethical equations. The history of cockfighting teaches us that traditions evolve, sometimes disappearing, sometimes transforming, but rarely vanishing completely when they serve deep social functions. Just as Civilization VII shows us how to build progressively on existing developments, societies can construct new cultural practices that honor the social purposes of older traditions while aligning with evolving ethical standards.