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Bullfight, the Spanish Way

The sport that is identified as Spain’s traditional show is Bullfighting or tauromachy. Although some conservative group finds this sport controversial, this weekly event is still a crowd drawer particularly among tourist who wants to experience Spain’s culture. The Spanish-style bullfighting is called corrida de torros or fiesta brava, which is, literally means fierce festival can be dated back to 711 A.D.

Before, the bullfighting are exclusively participated by aristocrats until the King of Spain, Felipe V put it to a stop. The aristocrats used good bred horses and plays the game while in horseback. The citizens later on adopted it as a common sport sans the use of horse started and still in practice today. The traditional bullfights are almost the same with the modern ones. Although some of the practices are simplified, the rules of the game are quite the same. Instead of horseback, unarmed players dodge bulls on foot. This no horse playing started around 1700s after the aristocrats were banned from playing by the King.

Bulls who will enter the ronda (or bullring) usually weigh around 200 to500 kilograms. They are usually around four years of age. In traditional bullfight there are number of bullfighters called matador who will fight two bulls. The matador has an entourage that is composed of six aides: lancers, flagmen and sword page. There are two lancers also called picadores, the bandilleros (flagmen) are three and one mozo de espada. Inspired by Spain’s colorful clothing, the toreros or matadors wears Andalusian clothing.

The bullfight has three stages: the opening signaled by a trumpet sound, the tercio de banderillas and tercio de muerte. Initially, the matadors will asses the bull and from this, he will be able to come up with the best strategy to tackle the raging bull. A dress cape in gold and magenta color will be waved to tempt to bull to charge. The matador by this time confronts the bull and observes very carefully. The picaderos will follow after the trumpet sound signal was heard and the bull’s first draw blood will be done. Drawing blood between the neck and shoulder blades will weaken the bull. Bullfight passes will be shown here by the matador to please the crowd. The next stage will further weaken the animal by jabbing two sharp sticks called banderillas on the flank of the bull. The inflicted wounds will make the animal charged more wildly. The matador will soon re-enter without his entourage carrying a red cape called muleta and a sword. This stage is called the faena. The faena is the best part and most impressive on this game. On this part, the matador will show off his courage and elegant moves using the muleta to bring the bull in a position that will enable him to stab it in the heart through the shoulder. The plunging of the sword is called an estocada.

The crowd for the president to award a trophy to the matador waves the white handkerchiefs. Flowers are thrown to the matadors to show their enjoyment and respect to the hero of this game.

For those who want to see an action that has dated back to the time of King Felipe V, then Spain is for you.