Along with eating tapas and dancing flamenco, watching a bullfight is one of the activities that comes to mind when I think of Spain. The bullfight is the most traditional of Spanish Fiestas. The Spanish people consider them art forms which are intimately linked with their country’s history, art and culture. Although it is very controversial, bullfighting is Spain’s oldest and best loved national sport. It is very closely associated with Spain and can trace its origins back to 711 A.D when the first one took place in celebrations of King Alfonso VIII.
Bullfighting is certainly one of the best-known Spanish popular customs. This Fiesta could not exist without the "toro bravo", which is a specie of bull of an ancient race that is only conserved in Spain. This controversial sport is very popular in Spain with several thousand Spaniards flocking to their local bull-ring each week during the spring and summer months. Almost a million people watch bullfights in Spain every year. However, it is becoming banned in several parts of Spain, Cataluna for example, where Barcelona is. In the southern region, Andalucia, it is still abundant.
There are several bullrings in all Spain; some of the most important are located in Madrid, Seville and Ronda. Madrid's Bullring is called "La Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas", it can house 25,000 people and is the most important Bullring in the world. The Seville Bullring is called "La Maestranza" Bullring it is one of the most charming bullrings. "La Maestranza" has a capacity of 12,500 people and attracts the best bullfighters of all Spain. This is where I got to see a bullfight. I was also fortunate enough to see 3 of the most popular bullfighter’s in all of Spain.
Every fight starts with "El paseillo", this is when everybody involved in the bullfight enters the ring and presents themselves to the president and public. Then, two "alguacilillos" on horseback ask for the keys to the puerta de los toriles, where bulls are waiting to go out. Then, the bull goes out to the bullring, here is when the real spectacle begins.
The faena is the most beautiful and skillful section of the fight and where the matador must prove his courage and artistry. The faena consists of running at the Matador carrying a piece of thick crimson cloth draped over a short stick, which can be held in either hand and draped over the killing sword. Usually the muleta is first held in front of the Matador to make the bull charge and is then swung across and away from the matador's body hopefully taking the bull with it.
This is a show, basically a dance with death - one wrong move and the Matador could become impaled on the horns of the bull. It is the Matador's job to make this dance dramatic and enjoyable for the audience. The faena continues until the Matador has demonstrated his superiority over the bull. Once this is achieved the bull is ready to be killed.
This was one of the most fascinating customs I have ever witnessed. Everyone at the bullring was dressed like they would on Easter Sunday; Pretty Spring dresses, big sun hats and tall heels. The cheering in the crowd was loud and enthusiastic, everything was so colorful and the more brutal the better. I was able to stomach the entire situation and enjoyed myself a lot. I thought the excitement in the crowd was enough to distract from what was actually going on. I’m very glad that I participated in this traditional Spanish custom.
Bullfighting: It's not ART; its not CULTURE; its not SPORT; its "TORTURE" (ask the MAJORITY of the people in the bullfighting countries of Spain; Portugal; France; Mexico; Colombia; Ecuador; Guatemala; Peru and Venezuela KNOW, and are working on, and passing BANS and ABOLITION of bullfights).
ReplyDeleteBullfighting: The most "indefensible and abhorrent" type of animal abuse that IS and always WILL BE; a "TRADITION of CRUELTY."
Bullfighting is not a fight at all, but a systematic torture-killing that pits a gang of armed thugs wielding razor-sharp barbed spikes, spears, swords and daggers (these weapons are designed to inflict intense pain and cause massive blood loss to weaken the animal) against a lone, terrified; confused; "fatally" disabled and wounded animal.
It’s a sickening economic industry based on HORRIFYING victimization; sadistic abuse; extreme cruelty and mutilation and torture of bulls (and horses) during the cruel exhibitions of bullfights (which are barbaric "blood" fiestas): Close-up Horror of Bullfighting (Graphic) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvwQ4Dmlur8
Handlers weaken and cripple the bull for days before the bullfight. They starve him; give him laxatives and deny him water, or they put massive doses of sulphates (epsom salts) in his water to induce severe diarrhea, intestinal pain and subsequent lack of coordination in the ring. He is beaten with heavy sandbags on his back and kidneys. He is wedged into a tiny corral and drugged to make him docile. Up to four inches of horn is hacked off with a saw down to the tender quick to interfere with his ability to navigate; the mutilated stump rounded off with a rasp and smeared with black grease; his hooves are burned with turpentine.
They blind him with vaseline and salt rubbed into his eyes and drug him; they stuff his ears so that he cannot hear; they stuff his nostrils so that he cannot breath. Just before he enters the ring he is harpooned/stabbed in the back with a steel "breeder's mark." In the ring, they drive razor-sharp lances and harpoons into his back and neck muscles so he can’t lift his head. By the time the matador appears, the bull is weak from blood loss and dizzy from being chased in circles.
The horses used in bullfights are old and drugged. Wet newspaper is stuffed in their ears so that they will not hear the approaching bull and run away; their vocal cords are cut so the audience will not hear their cries. They wear long blankets to hide their entrails, which spill out when they are gored and disemboweled by the tortured; agonizing bull (who has been deceived into thinking that the horse is causing his pain, instead of the "wicked human" riding the horse).
It’s no fun to see an innocent, crazed animal tortured before a screaming crowd of people, who should be hanging their heads in shame. Even if you leave after 15 to 20 minutes, the damage has been done – your money has gone to support this hellish, satanic business, which "decent" people are working to "end."
The continuation of bullfighting depends on government subsidies and to an even GREATER EXTENT; the IGNORANT "TOURIST" industry.
Don’t be an ACCOMPLICE to this "SAVAGERY" by supporting it with your "tourist dollars."
Bullfighting is a "senseless, degrading" spectacle that has no place in a "civilized" society.
Please HELP these "suffering" animals – STAY AWAY FROM BULLFIGHTS; SPEAK OUT AGAINST THEM with the TRUTH and DEMAND that they be "ABOLISHED."
Michel Michaeljohn (An American of Spanish descent).