Bullfighting

Bullfighting (known as "corrida de toros" in Spanish) is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal, some cities in southern France and in several Latin American countries, in which one or more bulls are ritually killed in a bullring as a public spectacle. It can be considered a blood sport.

On further investigations of this so called "Spectacle". I have discovered that it is not just a Matador running around with a red cloth teasing a Cow with horns. There is more going on till the final killing of the Bull if the Matador is successful. Furthermore, I would go on to assume that this is where the Rodeo probably derived from, even though the Americans will state otherwise.

This morning on Our local news reported that the Province of Catalonia have officially banned the bullfight spectacle, as animal rights activists claim cruelty to animals. However, this is a tradition that goes back to the Roman Empire period, so traditionalist may argue that it is part of there culture and it brings honour to the bull.

So with this mornings report, my inquisition was stirred and this is what I learnt...

Participants

The teams comprise of 7 participants:
• The Matador
o 2 x Lancers “Picadors” who are mounted on horseback
o 3 x Flagmen “banderilleros”
o 1 x Sword Servant “Mozo de espada”

Parts of a bullfight

There are 3 distinct parts of the Bullfight:
Stage 1 - Tercio de VarasFirst greeting and ceremonial introduction, then (the interesting stuff)...
The Matador observes the movements of the Bull while the “Banderilleros” thrust capes at the bull. He will monitor what the bull’s weaknesses are and if it moves to it own territory or if it just attacks the Capes (The territorial bull is more dangerous).
Then the lancers, on there heavily padded and blind folded horses, encourage the bull to attack the Horses. The Picadors will then draw first blood by stabbing the bull in the neck. This cause the bull to charge the horse and lift it with its neck, this is to weaken the neck muscles and lower the bull’s horns during the next stages. This is to the Matadors advantage as it is less dangerous, and allows him to perform the passes done in Modern bullfighting.
This is a compulsory stage of Bullfighting...

Stage 2 - Tercio de Banderillas
The 3 banderilleros each try stabbing 2 “flag like” sticks in the bull’s shoulders to further weaken the creature’s neck and shoulder muscles through further blood loss. They also continue to spur the bull on to make more ferocious changes.
The placing of the banderillas may be done by the matadors. If the presidente decides that the bull is extraordinarily weak or unwilling to fight, he may order the use of black banderillas, considered to be a disgrace to the breeder.

Stage 3 - Tercio de Muerte
In the final stage, the tercio de muerte ("death third"), the matador re-enters the ring alone with a small red cape or muleta in one hand and a sword in the other. This cape is stretched with a wooden dowel and, in right-handed passes, the sword as well.
Having dedicated the bull to an individual or the whole audience, the matador uses his cape to attract the bull in a series of passes, both demonstrating his control over it and risking his life by getting especially close to it. The red colour of the cape is a matter of tradition, as bulls are actually colour blind. There are a number of distinct styles of pass, each with its own name.
The Matador will do a series of passes to show control over the bull, until the final death in which the Matador will manoeuvre the bull into a position to stab the bull in between the shoulder blades and through the aorta or heart.
The Matadors have fifteen minutes to kill the bull, if it is not done the Presidente will order the bull to be killed outside the ring or order it to return to its pen. This is to dishonour the failing Matador.

The bull's body is dragged out by a team of mules. If the presidente is impressed by the performance of the bull, he orders a tour around the ring to honour the animal. Very rarely, a bull will be allowed to survive a fight as an indulgence granted in recognition of an exceptional performance. The spectators will demand an indulto from the presidente, by waving handkerchiefs before the estocada. The matador will stop and look at the presidente. If he stands still, he will resume his action and kill the bull. But if he has an orange handkerchief hung on his balcony, the matador will imitate the estocada with a banderilla or with the palm of his hand and the bull will be "freed". Such bulls are generally retired from competition and raised as studs, as their experience in the ring makes them extremely dangerous opponents. A fighting bull is never used in the ring twice, because they learn from experience, and the entire strategy of the matador is based on the assumption that the bull has not learned from previous experience.
A trophy is the usual indicator of a successful faena. When the records of bullfights are kept, trophies earned by the matador are always mentioned.

So we will have to travel to northern Spain to probably view this spectacle, well thats if our stomachs can take it. I wouldn't go as far as say this brings honour to a bull however if your into gladiator style action, this may be for you!