Bullfighting

The excitement is spreading throughout the stadium as another bullfight is about to commense in Madrid, the capital of Spain. The matador, or bullfighter is ready for the toro, or bull to begin his run. He stares at the plaza de toros, or bull ring. This is what you hear in a typical bullfight in a place such as Madrid or Andalucia.

Bullfighting is the national sport of Spain. It originates back in the 18th century in village squares. But in the 18th century, bullfighting was very disorganized. In the 19th century however, Pedro Romero and Pepe-Illo, with their new techniques and inventions, brought a sense of order to bullfighting. One of those was giving horses padding. Before, horses used to get severe injuries, especially some of the bigger horses. From there, bullfighting soon became a serious spectacle, in which the bullfighters took fewer chances, unlike before when amateurs put everything on the line with just one fight.

Bull dying in a bullfight

Lagos bullfight

Bullfighting poster

But bullfighting was still dangerous. Every day performers were bleeding against a 5 year old bull monster and risked their lives just for some publicity. For some it was easy. These people are called good bullfighters because they come with a strategic plan. Juan Belmonte, one of the greatest bullfighters ever was a good bullfighter. He says that he goes to the ring like a mathematitian going to a blackboard to prove a theorem. So if you think that you don't have to be smart for bullfighting, you are most likely wrong.

A typical bullfight starts out with a paseillo, which is when everybody involved with the bullfight introduces themselves to the public. Some of the people would be a banderillo who, on foot, inserts decorated sticks on the bull's muscles. The second part is when the doors are lifted...