Society and Culture
Bullfighting in Spain
Bullfighting is the most famous and controversial of Spanish customs and it is important to understand that although not approved of by all Spaniards, it is considered an art form and not meaningless slaughter of the bull.
Throughout history, the bull's primitive ancestor, the Urus, played an important role in religious ceremonies, the Bible tells of sacrifices, the Greeks revered them and there is also evidence they were included in rituals of tribes on the Iberian peninsula during prehistorictimes. Contrary to popular belief it is suggested that the bullring (plaza de toros) originates from Iberian Celtic ceremonial temples as opposed to the Roman Amphitheatres.
The art of modern day bullfighting started in Spain in the mid 18th century and in the 1830's the first bull fighting school was opened in Sevilla under the directorship of Pedro Romero who is often described as the greatest torero of all time. He was also responsible for instigating the rules recognized today. Around this time breeders created the first reliable breed of toro brava.
A corrida (bullfight) will begin with the paseillo, when all involved in the bullfight enter the ring and present themselves to the president and public.
Two 'alguacilillos' on horseback look up to the president's box and symbolically ask for the keys to the 'puerta de los toriles' behind which the bulls are waiting. The fight will consist of three parts (tercios), which begin as soon as the bull enters the ring.
There are three toreros-bullfighters in each corrida who are allotted two bulls. In the first tercio the bullfighter uses the pink and yellow cape 'capote'. Then the two picadors enter on horseback, armed with a lance.
In the second tercio 'la suerte de banderillas' the three banderilleros stick a pair of banderillas into the bull's back as it charges at the horse.
In the final tercia 'suerte suprema' the bullfighter uses the muleta, a small red cloth draped on a stick. The aim is to show his dominance over the bull and the theory is to also to 'demonstrate symbiosis between man and beast, as the bull plays its part at a continuously slower pace. The fight ends with the torero killing the bull with his sword.