Bullfights are very controversial. Some people think they are barbaric and claim that it is cruelty against animals. Others focus on the lengthy cultural history of bullfighting in Spain and would be saddened if it were to stop. In Fact, just today as I am writing this, Catalonia, Spain has just outlawed bullfights claiming that it is cruelty against animals.

Warning: The following article does contain some graphical information and pictures that may not be suitable for all ages or the squeamish.

Whether you agree or disagree with bullfighting, if you go, it will be something you never forget. The following example of a bullfight is what happened in 2007 at “The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas” in Madrid Spain. I have heard arguments that the fighting in Madrid is very similar to the fighting in the south of Spain, but I have also heard that it is different.

When you go to buy tickets, they typically will offer seats in the sun (sol) or shade (sombra). Our tickets were around 15Euro and were part sun and part shade. We bought out tickets for the sunday show about 15minutes before it started. Apparently if you are seeing a very famous Matador, then you will need to buy tickets far in advance. As we moved to our seats, we noticed that this was much like any other popular sports event anywhere in the world. There were vendors selling hats, seat cushions, and all sorts of food.

The arena itself is a wide circle with a wooden fence lining the circle. It was about half full of people and most chose the shade on this hot day although it was evening and the temperature was dropping. The interior was fairly bland looking but it was obvious that this was a real arena, and not just for show. Action actually happened here. It was clearly a place built for real bullfighting.

Before the fight begins, there is a bit of a parade where the matadors come out and you get a chance to see everyone that will be involved in the upcoming fight. After this parade, the bullfighting is ready to begin.

The bull is the first in the ring. A gate is opened in the side of the arena, and the bull comes running in and makes his way around the ring. The Matador is not the first to interact with the bull.

Actually he is the last to interact with the bull.

The first group that has contact with the bull are known as “Picador’s”. These are riders mounted on horses who have been blindfolded and covered with straw and cloth mats on both sides. This is to protect the horses from the horns on the bull. These horses must be trained very well because they are very calm and do not get excited even when the bull is pushing hard at their side. When the bull charges the side of the horse, the mounted Picador has a sharp lance that he will stab the bull with. The intent of this is to weaken the bull before the matador faces him. This happens for several minutes before finally they leave and the next stage begins.

To further weaken the bull, there is a group called “Bandilleros” who must first place several barbed darts called “Banderillas” on the neck of the bull. These are placed as the bull passes just inches from their bodies. This is a very dangerous job and also very respected, just like the matador.

The next stage is where the matador has a brightly colored piece of cloth that he wraps around a sword and waves in front of the bull. This is probably the most commonly known part of a bullfight. As the bull charges the brightly colored cape, the matador will move it over its head and step to the side.  This is done to tire the bull as well as let the matador judge the strength of the bull.

Finally, the matador determines that the bull has put up a good enough fight and is sufficiently tired. This is generally determined by the lowering of the bulls head. As the bull gets more tired, his head will get lower and lower. The head of the bull must also be lowered so the matador has access to the back of the neck. The final stage of the fight is when the matador will pierce the heart of the bull with one swift lunge of his sword.  There is a small spot on the back of the neck that gives direct access to the heart and will end the bulls life very swiftly.

The crowd will boo and yell at every stage of the bullfight. They will only cheer when each stage is done cleanly and with as little uncomfort to the bull as necessary. During the final stage, if the matador does not make a clean pierce of the bulls heart on the first pass, the crowd will not be pleased. This is the aspect that I think is not talked about. The crowd does not cheer when they see the bull being tortured or in pain. In fact, they will actually cheer when the bull harms the matador.  They will applaud a clean and swift kill, but will also show their displeasure by a sloppy fight.

Also it is important to note that there is not just one bullfight per night. The night we went, there were at least 5 bullfights and then we had seen enough and left. At the beginning, the lesser known matadors will perform and then the final fight is generally the most famous of the matadors. Each fight lasts around 15-20 minutes depending on the size of the bull and the skills of those involved.

I do not foresee that this type of bullfighting will be around forever. As mentioned above, there are more and more activist groups trying to stop bullfighting. I would recommend seeing a bullfight and if you do not want to stay for the final kill, then just leave. It is an experience unlike any other and it has a very long cultural history. If you do not want to watch the bullfight, go to the arena and watch others as they watch the fight. You will see groups of older men talking about life, young girls and boys talking about the fight and dressed up couples on a date. That is enough to make the 15 Euro price worthwhile.

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Spain, Things to Do by Adam