Bullfighting is the most traditional of Spanish Fiestas. Bullfighting is not a considered a sport but is in fact viewed as an art form which are intimately linked with their country's history, art and culture. You can trace bullfighting all the way back to popular spectacles in ancient Rome, but it was in the Iberian Peninsula that these contests were fully developed by the Moors from North Africa who overran Andalucía in AD 711. Bullfighting developed into a ritualistic occasion observed in connection with feast days, on which the conquering Moors, mounted on highly trained horses, confronted and killed the bulls.
Being such an integral part of Spanish culture, bullfighting has been exported to the many nations that trace their descent or have been influenced by Spain. These nations include Portugal, France and large parts of Latin America.
Like ancient stadiums they are generally located in the heart of the older parts of town and are surrounded by apartments, while in more traditional towns and villages by townhouses.
The players
Each matador has a team (cuadrilla) of assistants. There are 2 lancers (picadors) on horseback, 3 flagmen (banderilleros) and a sword servant (mozo de espada). The matador and his team really on their manager (apoderado) in the same way as musician rely on his manager for shows.
The fight
The modern bullfight is a highly ritualised art form that consists of three parts (tercios). The beginning of each of these parts is announced by trumpet blast.
In keeping with their ancient roots the players enter the arena in parade accompanied by music to salute the dignitary that is presiding over the event. In many ways it is reminiscent to how you would image gladiators would act when enter the coliseum in ancient Rome.
Ritual is the key factor. The positioning of the matadors is based on seniority and any "new blood" must show himself to the crowd without his hat on. The uniforms they wear are based on a finalised design from the 18th century and a extremely expensive due to their silver and gold embroidery.
Next comes star of the show. The bull enters the ring to be tested for ferocity by the matador through the use of the red cape. The pedigree of the bull is very important. Its history while it was being raised on a breeding estate, its name, age, all if this information is recorded. Avid supporters can tell much by the rosette it wears on its back, whom the breeder is and to whom goes the honour.
In the first stage the matadors observes the bull. A Veteran, by how the bull reacts, can get a clear understanding of the behaviour of his foe, and hopes to get a clear idea of which horn the bull prefers and how he charges. A true artist will have a clear understanding and respect for the beasts, and from simple movements can tell you whether the animal has eyesight problems, how territorial he is, etc.
When the matador is confident he has an understanding of the bull he will decide his strategy. Now the matador confronts the bull. If he shows skill and courage he will be greeted by ovations from the crowd. This is the image most people have of the sport, the matador gracefully dodging the bull has it charges past.
Now the lancers enter on horseback who encourage the bull to charge the blindfolded horses. Don't worry though, the horses are very well protected, and withstand the bulls charges with stoic patience. While the bull makes his charges the lancers stab at a specific section of the bulls back. All the while the matador is still watching how the bull is reacting to further refine his strategy.
The amount stabs made by the lancers is a mandatory number that is set by the judges, although this may be reduced by request of the matador if he feels the animal has certain defects.
In the next stage, each of the three flagmen attempt to plant two barbed sticks, decorated in local colours, on the bull's flanks. These further weaken the bull through loss of blood, while spurring the bull into making more charges. Some of the more skilled matadors will often place the final barbs themselves. If the bull proves to be too weak or unwilling to fight, the president may order, to the disgrace of the breeder, the use of black barbed stick.
In the final stage, the matador re-enters the ring a small red cape and a sword. The matador will dedicate the bull to a person or group and will start using the cape to attract the bull in a series of passes, both demonstrating his control over it and risking his life by getting especially close to it. Spectacular passes are celebrated by the audience with shouts of "ole". After a range of dangerous passes the matador prepares the bull for the killing thrust. This involves positioning the bull to be able to stab it between the shoulder blades and through the aorta or heart.
A clumsy final thrust that does not give a "quick and clean death" will often raise loud protests from the crowd. The matador will need to cut the bull's spinal cord with a second sword to kill it instantly and spare the animal pain. Although final blow is fatal, it may take the bull some time to die.
If the president is impressed by the performance of the bull, he orders a tour around the ring to honour the animal. Very rarely, a bull will be allowed to survive a fight in recognition of an exceptional performance. The spectators will demand this by waving handkerchiefs. The matador will stop and look at the president. If he stands still, he will resume his action and kill the bull. But if he has an orange handkerchief hung on his balcony, the matador will imitate the final thrust with the palm of his hand and the bull will be freed. Such animals are generally retired from competition and raised as studs. These bulls never enter the ring again, not only in honour of the skill, but also because they learn from experience, and the entire strategy of the matador is based has not learned from previous experience.
Today bullfighting is big business in Spain with the top matadores earning comparable salaries to the nation's top soccer stars and rock idols. There are seventy bullrings in Andalucía, of which sixteen are located in the province of Málaga.