A HOBBY TO CROW ABOUT
School teacher the only female contestant in male-dominated rooster-crowing carnival
THE presence of a woman at the male-dominated Karnival Ayam
Sorak (rooster-crowing) Kelantan at Taman Orkid, Pengkalan Chepa, yesterday, caught the attention of participants and visitors.
Teacher Hamsiah Abidin, 47, who brought along four of her 20 roosters, was the sole female participant.
The mother of four was unfazed over negative comments about her participation
in the rooster-crowing contest, as she felt there was nothing wrong with it.
“I share the hobby with my husband, Zurizam Ibrahim, 52, and eldest son, Muhammad Firdaus Afzal, 26. It allows us to spend more family time together.”
“Almost every afternoon after coming back from school, I will take part in smallscale rooster-crowing competitions around the district.
“Every month I spend hundreds of ringgit to provide food, including fish oil and vitamins, to ensure my roosters are healthy and ready for the competition,” she said, when met here yesterday.
Nearly 1,000 roosters were brought to the carnival, which was also attended by enthusiasts from Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Perak and Johor.
In the competition, the roosters were assessed on their ability to crow the most during the prescribed period.
Roosters which made at least 35 crows within 15 minutes, would get a “cing” and qualify for the next round.
The Bahasa Melaysia teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pantai Senak, Bachok said two of her roosters were among 43 which made the final of the competition.
“Winning or losing is secondary. What’s more important is the excitement and satisfaction of being able to be a part of the compeititon.
“My interest in rooster crowing contest not only can alleviate stress but also brings us closer as a family,” she said.