The Art of Bullfighting
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Few people have witnessed an actual bullfight, but many of us have at least heard about the art of the Spanish bullfighting tradition. Bullfighting is practiced in Spain, France, Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador and Portugal and owes its tradition, in part, to the gladiator games.
Bullfighters, also known as ‘toreros’, and the tradition of bullfighting are an iconic and defining cultural characteristic of Spain. It was brought to the attention of the Western world by Ernest Hemingway’s book, ‘The Sun Also Rises’
The spectacle of bullfighting is known as corridas de toros in Spanish and is held in an arena called Plaza de toros. Bullfighting has become very popular, with the Las Ventas arena in Madrid being the largest arena in the world. It has a capacity of 25,000 seats to accommodate the aficionados (fans). Bullfighting season lasts from spring through autumn, with Sundays typically being the biggest day.
A customary bullfight can last three to four hours and highlights six bulls, toreros and a crew of assistant bullfighters.
A few hours before the bullfight, the unfortunate bull is held in a tiny, dark isolation cell without food or water. Confused and anxious, the bull becomes agitated and angry. Just before entering the arena, the bull is harpooned several times, on his back, to weaken him.
1st Stage: The opening parade is the highly anticipated moment when the torero and the crew of assistant bullfighters come out into the arena and walk proudly around the ring to cheering fans. The bull is released into the ring and the fight begins.
2nd Stage: The cape stage begins when the torero teases and taunts the bull with a cape to test its strength. As the bull charges towards the cape, the torero gracefully and methodically moves with precision and ease from the charging bull.
3rd Stage: The picador stage reveals Picadores (or assistant bullfighters on horseback) wearing protective armour and lances. They continue to taunt the bull and stab it in the shoulders to anger it even more. Banderilleros, who are also part of the crew of bullfighters, rush toward the bull on foot and stab it with coloured darts on its back to continue to weaken the animal.
Final Stage: Weakened and tired from charging and the inflicted wounds, the bull collapses and the torero moves in with a red cape and a long sword and plunges it into the back of the bull. A swift kill earns the torero more respect. As the bull falls in defeat, a crew assistant cuts its throat.
Spectators follow a bullfight at the Las Ventas bullring during the 2019 San Isidro festival in Madrid. Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS / https://www.thelocal.es/20190525/madrids-bullfighting-ritual-acclaimed-and-contested
Bullfighting is a bloody and violent so-called sport, which divides the boundaries between the art of skill and brutality. While traditions are usually honoured and revered, it is very difficult to not feel disturbed and saddened by this spectacle. Earlier this year, Spain’s constitutional court ruled against the ban of killing the bulls during bullfighting, arguing that it is an essential part of the ‘sport’.
Dekra Abdo
A self-confessed word-worm. My love for reading, writing and world cultures has taken me to many travel destinations. Let me hear your comments on my blog.
