The Facts of Bullfighting

Bullfighting also known as tauromachia or tauromachy is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal, Southern France and some Hispanic American countries (Mexico, Columbia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Peru in which one or more bulls are baited, and then killed in a bullring for the entertainment of audiences. 

Bullfighting has a very glorified public image. It is presented as a contest between the brave matador, who boldly risks life and limb to tackle a mad and ferocious beast. The matador is always dressed in a traditional costume of brilliant colors. The bullfight is seen by many as the mysterious ritual between man and beast, which is an integral part of Spanish culture and custom. For this reason, many tourists who visit Spain feel that seeing a bullfight is a necessary part of their holiday, just as tourists visiting Britain go to see the Tower of London.

The bullfight, as it is practiced today, involves professional toreros (of which the most senior is called a Matador) who execute various formal moves which can be interpreted and innovated according to the bullfighter’s style or school.  It has been alleged that toreros seek to elicit inspiration and art from their work and an emotional connection with the crowd transmitted through the bull.

Such maneuvers are performed at close range, after the bull has first been weakened and tired by lances and short spears with barbs which are thrust into and then hang from the bull. The close proximity places the bullfighter at some risk of being gored or trampled by the weakened bull. After the bull has been hooked multiple times behind the shoulder by other matadors in the arena, the bullfight usually concludes with the killing of the bull by a single sword thrust, which is called the estocada.

Spanish- style bullfighting is called corrida de toros (literally “running of bulls”) or la fiesta (“the festival”). In the traditional corrida, three matadors, each fight two bulls, each of which is between four and six years old and weighs no less than 460 kg (1,014 lb). Each matador has six assistants: two picadors (“lancers on horseback”), three banderilleros (who along with the matadors are collectively known as toreros (“bullfighters”), and a mozo de espadas (“sword page”).