Una costumbre muy controvertida
“Lucha contra el toro” literally translates to bullfighting, which is the most renowned spectacle within the practice. Bulls and the traditions linked to these creatures are undeniably one of the most widely recognized aspects of Spanish culture worldwide.
In the bullfighting world, controversy has been introduced by animal rights movements in recent years. However, encierros and recortes are also protagonized not only by this native animal of the Iberian Peninsula, but also by other popular festivals such as bullfights.
Some of them are antlers, physique, temperament, and defense instinct. Developing some specific characteristics, a native breed of the Iberian Peninsula has evolved to this day. Their participation in different bullfighting shows is specifically dedicated to the breeding of an animal whose male specimens are fighting bulls or brave bulls.
Different types of divine sacrifices and worship of the bull can be found in ancient biblical texts and in the Greek church of Crete. Many civilizations worshipped them. The urus, the primitive ancestor of this bull, was scattered all over the world.
One of them still survives in the province of Soria, near Numancia. Rites were celebrated in the Celtiberian temples, probably the origins of bullrings. The prehistoric tribes that lived in Spain played a prominent role in religious ceremonies involving bulls.
Bullfighting on foot was invented by the younger population, thus abandoning the tradition in the 18th century. Francisco Romero played a key role in establishing the rules for the new spectacle. During the Middle Ages, one of the aristocracy’s favorite activities was bullfighting on horseback. The influence of the Greeks and Romans later transformed these rituals into spectacles.
Los festejos taurinos
Various activities with the bull as the protagonist are still preserved today. Bull runs and bullfighting are also abundant, among other events, although the most well-known ones are bullfights in Spanish popular festivals. Without a doubt.
The first bull enters the scene, after requesting permission to open the bullring gate, all the parties involved in the bullfighting step into the arena in a procession. Bullfights, which take place in bullrings, involve the bullfighting of the animals.
The bullfighters lance the bull while mounted on horses. Then, the bullfighter uses the cape during the first third, which is a large cape with one side pink and the other yellow. Separated by the sound of trumpets, three thirds are celebrated with each bull. Each bullfighting event involves two bulls and three bullfighters. The following is the ritual.
In the second third, a couple of barbs are thrust into the bull by three banderilleros. The final third arrives after this part concludes. The bullfighter wields the cape in the so-called “supreme luck”, which is a small red cloth hanging from a stick. The bullfighter must display mastery over the bull, establish symbiosis between both, and kill it using the sword in the last part of the bullfight.
Fermín San is one of the most well-known participants in the bull runs that take place in Pamplona from mid-July. The runners try to stay as close as possible to the herd without actually touching them. The bull runs consist of running in front of a group of cows or bulls that are led by steers. They are another popular event in the bullfighting festivities.
Cutout competitions are known for challenging participants with a variety of bulls. Alternatingly, they execute a range of jumps and spins on the animal. Their goal is to outwit it at the final moment and take the greatest risk to emerge victorious in the competition.
Many towns in Spain release small bulls or heifers for the amusement of attendees. Capeas are another typical celebration. An example of this is the “carrer al bous” in the Valencian Community. These events are at the heart of bull-related celebrations in Spain, and there are many popular festivities in addition to these.
Polémica y legislación
In each autonomous community, these celebrations are regulated in a different manner. Additionally, this shift in civic mentality has gradually been incorporated into legislation. The bullfighting tradition has been affected due to increased awareness about the bull’s suffering and the progressive advancement in the fight for animal rights.
In certain places, its practice is prohibited, but bullfights are legal in Galicia and most of the Balearic Islands. Various bullfighting activities continue to be celebrated in the latter, however, bullfights are prohibited by law in the Canary Islands and Catalonia.
In Madrid, Castilla, Murcia, and Navarra, bullfighting is regarded as a Cultural Interest or Intangible Cultural Heritage. Generally, the northern regions lack as much bullfighting tradition as the interior and the south. Nevertheless, they are entirely lawful in the remaining parts of the country.