Bullfighting in Spain
Bullfighting is an integral part of the Spanish culture, and this explains why you will find bullrings almost everywhere in Spain. However, bullfighting has been a controversial issue, since it involves the killing of bull, and nearly 24,000 bulls are killed in Spain each year, for bullfighting; but the fact that the Spanish king said that when bullfighting will be banned in the EU, Spain will no longer be a member of EU, explains that stand of the Spanish on the issue.
Nonetheless, bullfighting is enjoyed as much by the tourists that visit Spain, as the Spaniards themselves. The origin of bullfighting in Spain dates back to nearly 711 A.D. The first bullfight in Spain took place during the crowning celebrations of one of the Spanish Kings, by the name of Alfonso VIII.
From then on, almost every week, there are bullfights that are held in some or the other bull ring in Spain./ According to a rough estimate, almost 30 million people enjoy bullfights in Spain each year. Thus, if you are planning to visit Spain, do make sure that you catch up on at least one bull fight.
Earlier, bullfighting was considered to be a sport that was to a certain extent meant exclusively for the aristocrats. However, a Spanish king by the name of Felipe V, imposed a ban on the aristocrats, and thus stopped them from participating in the game. This is when the commoners began to participate in the game. In fact, bull fighting was not exactly bull fighting before the ban was imposed, as the aristocracy; the game involved horses rather than the bulls. However, because the common people could not afford to play with horses, they began to play the sport with bulls; thus, bullfighting came to be accepted as a sport sometime around 1724.
Bullfighting and the Game play
Bullfighting is a dangerous game, where in a Matador or the expert bull fighter takes on a bull. In order to emerge as a victor at the ends of the fight, the matador must kill the bull. However, the game is not easy at all, and is often referred to as the dance with death; this is also because of the fact that the matador must also entertain the crowd and not merely kill the bull,. In fact, in certain bull rings, the matador is presented with the ear of the bull, if he entertains the crowd well.
The game play is simple. The bull is first ready to take on the matador, and is released. Now, team mates, or the assistants of the matador, charge the bull by displaying cloths that are either yellow or magenta in colour; after which, several other fighters, weaken the charged bull, with the help of the spears. Once the bull and the matador are in the ring, the game fight begins. The matador must kill the bull with a sword.
During the game, the matador uses a red piece of cloth, draped around him or attached to a stick to tease the bull and thus, make the situation even more dangerous.
Thus, bullfighting can be rather entertaining. However, if you want to enjoy a brilliant game of bullfighting, it is recommended that you visit Spain during the bullfighting festivals.
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